ABC’s for a Food Allergy Safe Valentine’s Day Party
ABC’s for a Safe Valentine’s Day Party!
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A Attend the party.
Classroom parties are riskier activities for children who have food allergies and there will always be a parent or two who "didn't get the memo" My son was enrolled in a peanut-free pre-school where one mom brought full-sized Snickers bar for each of the kids!
B BYOT!
Bring-Your-Own-Treat or better yet, bring a snack that will be served to all of the class. Even if another parent promises to purchase the "safe" brand of cookie or candy, there are a million ways that the parent can end up at school with a different brand or a different version of the food.
If Valentine Candy is allowed, be sure to bring a few safe pieces for your child just in case. Remember that mini-versions of the same candy can have different ingredients.
C Communicate
Make sure your child's teacher understands the extent of your child's allergies. The classroom is a learning environment first and foremost, and should not be contaminated with traces of food if they will endanger your child. When party planning, consider the special dietary needs of all of the children including gluten and casein free diets, diabetes and more. Even with multiple food allergies and restrictions, there are a wide variety of snacks and treats that can be served to all kids safely.
D Determine
which foods are safe for your child, document this for the party planners, and always double-check the day of the party. I thought lemonade was a drink that would always be safe for my son but was glad I was there when another mom brought in Kiwi-Lemonade!
E Exchange
candy treat bags for "trinket bags" filled with non-edible prizes. Your school should be in compliance with the Wellness Initiative and candy is a food with minimal nutritional value. An allergic child with unsafe candy on the school bus is a dangerous situation that is easily avoided. There are plenty of fun non-edible treats for goodie bags or Valentine boxes.
If your child does come home with a Valentine box full of unsafe candy, trade her for a special toy, or even money. You can "pay" (trade) by the piece or by the box, whichever feels like more fun! You can also trade for some healthier options like Fruitabu or nut-free, dye-free Pure Fun candies.
F First Served
Especially if there will be unsafe foods in the classroom, serve the children with special dietary needs or food allergies first, with clean utensils. Label drinks or drink cups if the kids will be leaving their seats so there is no confusion.
G Gratitude
Always find ways to express your gratitude to the teachers, and other parents. Write thank you notes and/or volunteer; even a quick call or email lets them know that you appreciate them. When you pave the way with goodwill, you will increase the odds of cooperation in the future!
For more Valentine’s Tips, view our newsletter HERE.
© 2008 AllergyMoms LLC
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The contents of the AllergyMoms site and newsletters are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice, please contact your physician or other qualified healthcare professional.
February 4, 2008 @ 2:19 am
Hi there,
I just found your blog and as a mom with three kids with all different allergies I certainly appreciate the hard work you’ve done here! It’s great.
I wanted to recommend a product that I use with my own kids that I have found very useful in the school setting and they are allergy labels from Mabel’s Labels. They are red with white writing and are about the size of an address label. They are completely dishwasher and microwave safe. They allow up to six allergens to be listed on each label and have the added bonus of a cute icon (such as a flower, car, princess, lizard , etc) for pre-readers (so they can recongize there cups, lunch containers, utensils, etc from someone elses. I have found them very helpful for all my kids aged 8, 7 and two years of age. Check out the site at www.christa.mabel.ca
Keep up the great work. CJ
February 4, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
Thank you for taking the time to right this… I have just volunteered myself to bring 100 heart shaped cookies to my sons’ school. They each have allergies and I have always found it easiest to just provide something for the entire class to enjoy and know (without a doubt) that my sons will be able to eat something at the parties.
I just wanted to comment on the labeling of cups. We have been using a labeling product from www.christa.mabel.ca. They are completely dishwasher and microwave safe and super durable. They are about the size of an address label with white writing and allow the option of listing up to six allergens which will appear on each label. They also allow the option of adding a cute icon (such as a flower, a princess, a lizard, car, etc) so that pre-readers (such as my two year old) can distinguish their cups, utensils, etc., from someone elses.
Thanks for all the work that has gone into this site… it has been very useful and I plan on sharing the find with friends
May 11, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
how to get a six pack…
How to get ripped abs!…
July 14, 2008 @ 11:02 pm
Dairy products are an important factor in our diets. But so are many other nutritionals our body needs.
Medical research shows that 8 out of 10 people will die prematurely due to a degenerative disease. 8 OUT of 10 !
In contrast - during the XX Century (which ended just 8 years ago), people died prematurely of viral diseases.
This change has been linked to higher stress, eating habits, and the reduction of nutrients in our food.
This initiative is meant to help. I applaud it. In addition - journals indicate that everyone should consider taking high quality nutritional supplements.
Live healthy. Look good and feel great.
Sergio
www.feelsuccessful.usana.com
April 16, 2010 @ 10:26 pm
I really like these posts and I am going to give this blog address to my friends.
April 26, 2010 @ 9:41 am
your site’s cool, and i like your perspective. keep up the writing & i look forward to hearing more.