Yesterday was Sunday. Just in case you didn't know. Because it was Sunday, we went to church, and at our church we have a big group meeting and then everyone splits into different classes. Sweetheart goes to Primary, and I take Princess with me into the Nursery, where I am one of the teachers. When church was over and the first of the parents came to collect their Nursery kids, I glanced out the door to see kids from Primary going down the hallway, their hands full of cookies. They were sharing these cookies with their siblings as they found them, and also with pretty much any kid that walked by. They were being good kids and were sharing their bounty.
And I freaked out. The cookies were Nutter Butters, which, if you don't know, are the most delicious peanut butter sandwich cookies ever.
I couldn't see Sweetheart, I couldn't see if she had been handed one yet, but I knew that if she had, she wouldn't have any idea that this was something that she shouldn't eat. I also knew that just having one in her hand, even for a second, would give her an allergic reaction. Marquis walked up right then and I quickly sent him to find her. Luckily she was still in her classroom where there were no cookies, and Marquis was able to get her into the Nursery room quickly where we hid until the hallway had cleared of kids. Everything was completely fine. I talked to the Primary President shortly after and she was, of course, very understanding and will talk to people to see if this can be avoided in the future.
In situations like this, the comment I hear the most is, "I didn't even think about that." Of course not, why would you? Most people don't think about things like this until it affects them directly, and that is normal! My purpose in writing this post is not to blame anyone, to tell anyone they did something wrong, or to make anyone feel bad. In fact, I know several people from my church who read this blog, and I really hope that I don't offend anyone and that if the people who brought the cookies find this that they don't feel bad. They were simply giving the kids a treat, and Nutter Butters are super yummy, so why not? I'm sure they didn't even think about it. I get that.
Instead, my purpose in writing this post is to hopefully get people everywhere to think about this stuff. There has been a near explosion of peanut (and other food) allergies in recent years. I think you would be hard pressed to find a school, church, or other large group of people that isn't affected in some way, and the number of people with an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts is growing at an alarming rate, especially in little kids too young to know they shouldn't take the cookie handed them in the hallway.
So what I am asking is this. Please pass this message on, get people thinking about this issue. My hope is that someone who is buying a treat for a group of kids will look at all the many choices available in the cookie aisle, think about this growing problem, and choose something without nuts of any kind. If the cookies in the hallway would have been cookies with no nuts but instead with eggs, which Sweetheart is also allergic to, it would have been no big deal. Yes, she would have gotten really sick from eating one, but we would not have had to worry about anaphylaxis and possibly death. I suggest Oreos as a great option. They contain wheat and soy, neither of which typically causes anaphylaxis. Other good options are fruit snacks or fruit leather. Who doesn't love fruit snacks? There are so many nut-free options out there. I can't beg you enough, please think about these things before you feed other people's children! You just never know, and the cost is too great.
Sorry for the long rant, now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
5 comments:
Emily I totally agree with you. Even though we don't have allergies in m family. I have a lot of friends with kids that do. I have been trying to be considerate of the other kids. One day Jennilyn who is in Sweetheart's class wanted to take something with peanut butter in it with her to class. I told her no, her dad said why not, I told him that there were other's in her class that were allergic. He then agreed with me. Jennilyn was not happy!
This is also one of the reason's my mom told me that even though I want to be nice taking a treat, there are so many allergies out there, that it is best not to take a treat. But I like your idea of fruit snakes. Also it is less mess then cookies (no crumbs).
Thanks for this information Emily--we will definitely get the word out. In hindsight, I should have made a general announcement in Primary last week after you told me about Sweetheart's allergies. I'm so glad that she is o.k., because her health and welfare is top priority! Thanks for being such a kind and proactive mom!
Annette, I can always count on your support, thank you so much!
Carrie, no worries! You are just fine! I really don't want to make anyone feel bad, I just want to spread awareness a little more. I hope no one feels bad!
I really don't think anyone will feel bad--especially when I tell them that it's my fault for not forewarning them :)
Even if they do (which is not anyone's intention), it's still necessary. You worked hard to get her here--nothing would be worth jeopardizing that! BTW, I love her "friends" that she brings with her to Primary :) She's such a sweet, sweet girl.
I have so many little allergy friends that the first words out of my mouth prior to bringing food to a gathering are, "Are there any allergies?" One of my friends commented on that recently when she was complaining that her new ward is a no-treat primary, and when I suggested that it could be allergy related, she was surprised to think of that as a reason. It is simply not on the radar for so many people unless they have witnessed first hand the terrifying progression of allergy symptoms.
Stick to your guns! You're not a crazy ranting allergy mama - you're protecting your daughter's LIFE!
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