This post brought to you Children’s Mercy. All opinions are my own.
It can be tough to handle kids food allergies at school, but we have some simple tips to make that easier. Mixed reviews have come in from those who see school districts now asking parents to no longer send items like peanut butter to school. While we understand how it can make it difficult for some, food allergies are a real issue that should be addressed. Some may be mild reactions, while others are life threatening and should be treated with care. These tips help make this easier for you, as a parent, to manage in your kids school.
Tips For Handling Kids Food Allergies At School
Make sure the administration understands the food allergy. Not only do you need to have information on file at the school, but a private discussion with the teacher, nurse and administration is important. This is especially true if your child has a severe life threatening allergy. Since some reactions are mild many administrators don’t watch for things as closely as they should. You don’t want to be “that parent”, but your child and their life and health is more important than anything else. Be adamant with administration, faculty and staff if your child has a severe reaction that allergens be avoided at all cost.
Have an Epi-Pen available for your child. Most schools keep these in their first aid kits throughout the school, but your child will need to have one on hand for their own protection. This will typically be stored in the nurses office, but may be stored in the classroom depending on the student need and school policy.
Teach your child about their food allergies. The best way to prevent accidental exposure is to educate everyone involved. Not only should the teacher and administration be educated, but most importantly your child. From an early age you should make sure your child knows what foods they cannot have. Make sure to help them to understand the reasons as well as the severity should they be exposed. This may seem like overkill, but their life could depend on them recognizing an allergy trigger in foods. This could include a treat brought to school that includes peanuts that aren’t visibly seen. Make sure your child knows to not eat or touch any foods that they are not certain are acceptable.
Provide safe alternatives. Whether this is packing their lunch every day, or bringing alternative foods to their classroom for snack time and parties it is important to be proactive. We all wish schools would become better about providing safe foods for our children whether they have celiac disease or a severe peanut allergy. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way, and we as parents have to step up to provide our kids with healthy safe alternatives instead.
Get involved in your school administration to teach others about kids food allergies and how to safely handle meals and snacks at the school. Volunteer to help the cafeteria staff understand more about the foods that cause reactions so you know they truly understand. Parents getting active is the bet way to see changes happen.
How do you handle food allergies, whether within your immediate family or your circle of friends?
Connect with Children’s Mercy:
Click here for more information on reducing risks with food allergies.
Keep up to date by signing up for Children’s Mercy emails and follow @ChildrensMercy and @BreatheKC on Twitter to receive regular safety and parenting tips and news.
So important to make sure that you Have an Epi-Pen available for your child in case something does happen! These are great tips.
We had a kid get really sick at our school because of peanut dust. It was scary. And it really hard when it is hot because the school uses window fans and they drag in the pollen indoors!
i think that kids should wear some sort of bracelet or pin that notifies the teachers of their allergies, etc. if something happens and the child is not alert, the bracelet is good to have.
These are some great tips. My son wears a necklace with his allergy’s. I do agree with schools banning a allergy product better safe then sorry
My sons have no food allergies but we do have friends whose children do. The school has large signs letting you know what allergy to watch out for each class.
I was lucky not to have any children with allergies.
MG, the Epi-Pen is LITERALLY a life saver! But you are right – the teacher, the school nurse, the cafeteria manager – all these people need to be aware of the child’s allergies and how serious they are. A Medic Alert bracelet is also a good idea. It’s sad, but a lot of folks in the education system hear “allergy”, and all that enters their minds is a few sneezes! We as parents have to be pro-active, it’s no fun when child gets an anaphylactic reaction!
Make sure all your kid’s FRIENDS know what the problem is. Kids (though they can be cruel at times) do have a tendency to look out for each other when there’s a crisis!
My niece has severe food allergies and always has her epi-pen with her.
This must be so difficult! I’m lucky none of my kids or grandkids have allergies.
He has one in his class with a peanut allergy, so we have to be very careful with sending food and snack for him. I have celiac disease, so when ever we are out…he always asks if something is gluten free for me.
I don’t know any children with allergies. Your tips are very helpful for those parents who have children with allergies. I think the school administration should be made aware of a student’s allergies as well as his teachers, school nurse and cafeteria personnel.
I’m so glad people are taking food allergies more serious. It can be pretty scary. I know.
crazy at schools these days
My niece always has her epi-pen with her.
“Provide safe alternatives” is a great tip. Too many kids focus on what they can’t have, and need option of what they can have while at school. Great blog post!
It’s kind of crazy and scary how many kids are affected by allergies, when I was in school that was something that no one ever worried about.
This can be really scary. I think a bracelet and an epi-pen can really make a difference.
i think a bracelet is the best bet as well as carrying a epi-pen in a safe place. if the child is unconscious the bracelet will idenify the problem and whom to call for emergency.
i think a bracelet is the best, with all of the emercency information and contacts, as well as what the child is allergic to. in addition, carrying an epi-pen in a safe place is a good idea.
I am an empty nester, but I was blessed with kids that had no allergies and were basically healthy! My grandkids are too. But now I am allergic to penicillin and wearing a bracelet or necklace can save my life. I didn’t become allergic until after my stem cell transplant – weird!
“Make sure the administration understands the food allergy.” is a great tip. So important for the teaches to be aware.
It is so hard for kids with allergies. Thanks for writing about it
These are good tips. Some very good advice.
I think it is very important for kids to learn about their health in case of emergencies! They happen all the time & at the wrong times! Also their teachers, friends/parents, etc. No take backs or do overs!!
(Tips For Handling Kids Food Allergies At School #CMHMoms) This is really important things to know when a child has food allergies. Luckily my one son only had other types of allergies when he was much younger.
Our daughter is allergic to bananas, but we’re still learning about it. We really need to discuss ways to help her avoid another reaction.
It’s scary how quickly and suddenly a child can get sick from something we might not even think about.
These are great tips for parents. Food allergies can be very scary.
My grandson has a friend in his class that is allergic to milk products. He told me about him and he said I feel sorry for him Nanna because he can’t even eat ice cream. He was so sad about it. Of course the little boy didn’t have deadly reactions but to my grandson it was very upsetting.
Some kids needs that reassurance that its ok to have food allergies, etc.. Great article.
Great tips. Luckily none of my children have any food allergies but I teach them that other kids may have them and to be careful. Every school year I ask the teacher if there’s anyone in their classroom with allergies so I know not to bring in snacks that they can’t have.
I believe every adult should help keep a child safe if, they have to, that they come in contact with1
These are really smart tips. I work with a woman who’s son is allergic to nuts. A food allergy is serious.
I think it’s great that food allergies are getting more attention and that people are working to educate more parents on how serious it can be.
That is why proper labeling is important too!! List all the ingredients on the food labels!!
Even when my son was in school ages ago they were starting to segregate peanut/non peanut tables. I’m glad to see education is moving much farther along. My brother is allergic to tree nuts and my sister-in-law is allergic to walnuts.
I have to admit years ago, I mean over 50 years ago, I don’t think the allergy concern was addressed like it is now. So we’ve come a long positive way!!
Food allergies are a real issue and I agree, that it should be addressed more often. Kids and teachers need to understand how serious it is.
I think we all work together, we can really reduce the risks that come along with food allergies.
This makes me realize how lucky I’ve been to not have any allergies.
This is such a serious issue. I know parents that have to work to be on top of it every single day.