Little Melvin can't be exposed to peanuts (2 Viewers)

[roadeyes]

The religious nature of the preschool is irrelevant to us. The school is close, clean, and extemely well accredited. If she draws noah's arc and creche scenes with her crayons I am fine with that. Beats drawing Barney.

One mornig a week she will also be attending a preschool associated with a temple. Why? because it is an excellent school and again the religious indocrtination is minimal at that age.

Our daughter has never been in any form of daycare or pre-schooling before so perhaps I am just too much of a rookie. Perhaps these types of issues are more common than I know.

I don't know. My kid went to a Montessori for 3 years. Besides being a Montessori school in name, there was really nothing overtly religious about it. They were much more into the groovy peace thing.But at the end of last year she started with all the God and Jesus questions. Asking to say Grace before dinner, asking to go to church, why did they kill Jesus?-that type of stuff. Since both my wife and I were raised Catholic but now avoid any mention of religion, we were caught off guard.

Turns out there was a Flanders kid in her class and he had a huge influence on all the other kids. The teacher played it straight, but it became a dominant theme for several months. And not necessarily one we wanted our daughter to deal with at this particular time. The "Why don't we go to church?" question is pretty loaded and tough to explain so a 5 year old understands. I was not blessing the little Flanders kid, that's for sure.

It sounds like, at the very least, you can expect an exposure to a certain version of religion. So expect the questions and be prepared.

 

[Chili Dog]

I don't have a problem with it.

My son has been in pre-school the last few years with kids with peanut allergies, and we know several other children that have them. We just avoid sending peanut butter products to school. No biggie - there are plenty of other things to eat.

It's easy to say "well, just make sure the other kids don't give the allergic kid peanut products", but with a bunch of young kids, we all know that the allergic kid could easily get a hold of a food that could severely hurt (or even kill) the kid.

For those that have a problem with it, just imagine what the parents of allergic kids have to go through on a daily basis.

Are you asking for a little empathy here?

Tough crowd here.

Empathy is fine.I feel bad for the kid and the parents to deal with that.

But asking others to go out of their way for one child is too much.

Why is it too much? Curious. What defines too much for you?I think for the kid to be born with this syndrom to be too much. For you, it's watching that your child doesn't bring peanut based products to school.

Nothing like a little perspective.

 

[SofaKings.]

WTH is anyone doing sending there kid to such a school. Kid will start 5 steps behind humanity before they have a chance. the peanut thing is one thing - but goodness, your kid should be a good gay hating, prayer in school loving, lets pray for a SC justice to die to get more conservatives on the court winner after this indoctrination.

You don't want them to grow up to be Palestinians do you??

 

[glumpy]

Is this peanut allergy something that simply went undetected in the past and kids who had it just met a sudden death or illness? I'm curious if anyone has any theories about how this started to be a problem, and why now?

As to the original post. I don't think it is unreasonable to ask other families to be aware of the problems that peanut products could cause - but ultimately it is the responsibility of the allergic child's parents (and later, of course, Melvin himself), to keep him in a peanut-free environment.

For the marketing of the christian books and the disdain for all things "secular" - that would bother me more.

If you don't get a good vibe from your child's pre-school, you should find another one that you're more comfortable with. .02

Boy am I ever in with bones on these things--I'm fortunate my wife agreed with me at the time and would never have put our son in a school with the sales job it sounds like this one is going after.

We had our son in one school 1st-4th grades in which there was a child who had a peanut allergy, and I'll tell you--it is a real nightmare to work around the most basic, nutritious and inexpensive of meals and snacks when you have to provide your kid's own lunches every day. Unbelievable. My son would come home craving PBJ's for supper sometimes just for missing them. :(

Personally I think we try to protect ourselves way too much in our society today from anything which might even hint at being unhealthy for you. Maybe there is a perfect diet--but I'm betting that when we never see some foods in our diets then we never build up a tolerance for them--and become that much more susceptible to some forms of disease or sickness.

this article does suggest that peanut allergies are on the rise.

 

[RoarinSonoran]

Why is it too much? Curious. What defines too much for you?I think for the kid to be born with this syndrom to be too much. For you, it's watching that your child doesn't bring peanut based products to school.Nothing like a little perspective.

"Too much" is asking every other parent to check every product they use, including sunscreen, for peanut products, just for this one kid.My 8yo is sensitive to heat (thanks kid...you DO know we live in Phoenix, right? ). Should I ask her school to build a dome over the playground to keep the temp down? Maybe just cancel outdoor activities completely? Just for my daughter. She can't go 100% out in the heat, so why should everyone else be allowed to? No, I don't do that. I let her teachers know, to keep an eye on her, make sure she gets enough water, and to bring her in/sit her down if she gets red-faced.Have Melvin's parents call John Travolta and see if they can borrow his Boy In The Plastic Bubble space suit.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Screw that kid.  I would tell my child not to give him nuts or anything like that, but I am not going to alter how my kid eats or what he/she does just because we have the equivalent to the peanut bubble boy in their class.

Home schooling should be an option for the kid I think (I am referring to the peanut freak).

You do realize that the child can die if you send your kid to school with a PB&J sandwich just to prove your point, right? Peanut allergies are usually that bad.

I'm not proving a point.The child should not be in a public environment if the risk is that great.

Why should everyone else suffer?

You have to be fishing. No one can be that dumb/ignorant.

Um...he's 100% correct. No way should that kid be in a school like that.

You're right, maybe we can have all children with any sort of abnormality that can possibly inconvience anyone rounded up and put on a separate schools. Hell, let's put them in a separate state, maybe Alaska since that's far away, just to make double sure they don't inconvience you or closed minded people like you.

 

[PC Load Letter]

So can your kid not wear anything with Snoopy on it either?

 

[Al Czervik]

If it were just keeping peanuts, PB&J sammiches, and snicker bars away from him this would not have caused that much of a blip on my radar, but to dictate what we eat at home and when, and to have us read the label of every product we or our duaghter use seems a little much.

As for the book lady I am now wondering whether my daughters room might right now be filled with the wrong kind of literature. Does anybody know whether Good Night Moon, or If you give a Pig a Pancake are somehow anti-christian?

Have them both.

Never does it say there is a picture of Jesus. And those evil bears sitting on chairs... don't get me started.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

Screw that kid.  I would tell my child not to give him nuts or anything like that, but I am not going to alter how my kid eats or what he/she does just because we have the equivalent to the peanut bubble boy in their class.

Home schooling should be an option for the kid I think (I am referring to the peanut freak).

You do realize that the child can die if you send your kid to school with a PB&J sandwich just to prove your point, right? Peanut allergies are usually that bad.

I'm not proving a point.The child should not be in a public environment if the risk is that great.

Why should everyone else suffer?

You have to be fishing. No one can be that dumb/ignorant.

How is asking the family to home school them since their child is causing such a problem dumb/ignorant?If a child were very suscepitable to sickness, would it be OK for every child to wear a mask and gloves?

Like Ditkaless Wonders said, this is an accident waiting to happen.

You are the one who wants this child to feel like they are normal. They are not. Since they are asking people to change their habits they are admitting as much. If they are causing that much of an issue I think the logical step would be a controlled environment like home schooling.

This kid is going to get a peanut slipped to him and he's going to get very sick or worse because people like you are trying to assimilate him with the normies.

Your attitude is putting the kid at risk.



And I am the dumb/ignorant one.

These allergies can be easily treated with a quick shot from an epy-pen (I think that's what they are called). Literally anyone with the IQ of the common housefly can use them if they had too. There is no need to throw these kids into seclusion because it might inconvience others a bit.

 

[Darth Cheney]

We had a kid like this in my sons pre-school class. Poor kid is allergic to everything but peanuts can kill him. We didn't mind checking stuff and not sending PBJ's to school. His mom goes to every class event, party, trip, or anything else where he is going to be around kids not in his class. They have an emergency shot in the classroom for him.

I really do feel bad for the poor kid. His mom a WAY too overprotective, always hovering, never a foot from the kid. Gets this nervous panic attack look whenever another kid gets too close or touches him. He's going to have some serious issues in later life.

My wife and I wonder what she's going to do when he is in later grades. She can't go to the cafeteria with him every day.

I know it's wrong, and typing it I kind of feel bad about it. But when we talk about him, between ourselves out of the earshot of our kids, we refer to him as "bubble boy". Sad, but true.

Where did these kids come from? When I was growing up I never heard of a child with a deadly peanut allergy. Is this something new?

 

[Darth Cheney]

I don't think it's a big deal to ask everyone to refrain from bringing the nuts to school.. but to ask them to check every product your child uses is too far. Also, it is a risk I wouldn't take if I was Melv's parents.

Exactly,,, now the entire school knows Melvins weakness. This was stupid on his parents part

 

[PC Load Letter]

Screw that kid.  I would tell my child not to give him nuts or anything like that, but I am not going to alter how my kid eats or what he/she does just because we have the equivalent to the peanut bubble boy in their class.

Home schooling should be an option for the kid I think (I am referring to the peanut freak).

You do realize that the child can die if you send your kid to school with a PB&J sandwich just to prove your point, right? Peanut allergies are usually that bad.

I'm not proving a point.The child should not be in a public environment if the risk is that great.

Why should everyone else suffer?

You have to be fishing. No one can be that dumb/ignorant.

How is asking the family to home school them since their child is causing such a problem dumb/ignorant?If a child were very suscepitable to sickness, would it be OK for every child to wear a mask and gloves?

Like Ditkaless Wonders said, this is an accident waiting to happen.

You are the one who wants this child to feel like they are normal. They are not. Since they are asking people to change their habits they are admitting as much. If they are causing that much of an issue I think the logical step would be a controlled environment like home schooling.

This kid is going to get a peanut slipped to him and he's going to get very sick or worse because people like you are trying to assimilate him with the normies.

Your attitude is putting the kid at risk.



And I am the dumb/ignorant one.

These allergies can be easily treated with a quick shot from an epy-pen (I think that's what they are called). Literally anyone with the IQ of the common housefly can use them if they had too. There is no need to throw these kids into seclusion because it might inconvience others a bit.

So let the other kids eat PB&J and let Melvin learn how to shoot himself up. Unless he's dumber than a housefly.

 

[bialczabub]

We had our son in one school 1st-4th grades in which there was a child who had a peanut allergy, and I'll tell you--it is a real nightmare to work around the most basic, nutritious and inexpensive of meals and snacks when you have to provide your kid's own lunches every day. Unbelievable. My son would come home craving PBJ's for supper sometimes just for missing them. :(

almond butter.

 

[RoarinSonoran]

We had our son in one school 1st-4th grades in which there was a child who had a peanut allergy, and I'll tell you--it is a real nightmare to work around the most basic, nutritious and inexpensive of meals and snacks when you have to provide your kid's own lunches every day. Unbelievable. My son would come home craving PBJ's for supper sometimes just for missing them.  :(

almond butter.

With jalapeno jelly.

 

[culdeus]

It's gotta be some sort of envornmental cause due to our horrible diets or pollution or something. But it sure seems to strike the most coddled upper-middle class kids more often for some reason.

 

[Schlzm]

I think another issue with this is that if for some reason Melvin becomes exposed and has a reaction both Melvins parents and the school are going to place the blame solely on the child / parents who accidentally introduced the peanut byproduct and attempt to hold them liable for any additional situation that occures. While it is fair and reasonable to assume that other parents will assume some responsibilty to prevent harm from occuring to any child, it becomes outlandish to expect someone to reconfigure their lifestyle based on a limited interaction with a 3rd party. Schlzm

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Having not been recently exposed to organized religious activity what was up with beseeching the Lord. Wouldn't a simple request have sufficed. Shouldn't we save the beseeching for the ultra urgent stuff?

 

[surferguy]

I laugh when I read the hardships created by not allowing a P&J sandwich at school. Come on people, use some imagination. Pack a sandwich with one of a million different fillings add some fruit and/or cheese, water bottle, juice box etc. etc. My kids are 10 and 12 and they have never been allowed peanut products at school. They have adapted perfectly. If they want peanut butter, they have it as an evening/weekend snack/meal. We are talking about a serious situation that could result in the DEATH of a child. Any parent must understand that if we can prevent the DEATH of a child by such a minor inconvenience, accept it and move on. Worry about bigger issues and teach your child to be a little more understanding about a serious issue. You never know, someday it may be you asking other parents for some assistance.p.s. NO, my kids do not have a peanut allergy.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Also I have to wonder what their reaction will be if my daughter states that is not how they do things over at the Temple Emanual preschool. She has a book or two from there based on the old book. Will the Judeo books conflict with the christian approved writings she will be getting.She really digs counting all the different types of animals getting on the ark, though she already suspects an ark to be impractical. She says "the zoo is huge and it doesn't have every type of animal so how could they fit them all on a boat?"Ah the inquisitive minds of the young.

 

[Schlzm]

I laugh when I read the hardships created by not allowing a P&J sandwich at school. Come on people, use some imagination. Pack a sandwich with one of a million different fillings add some fruit and/or cheese, water bottle, juice box etc. etc. My kids are 10 and 12 and they have never been allowed peanut products at school. They have adapted perfectly. If they want peanut butter, they have it as an evening/weekend snack/meal. We are talking about a serious situation that could result in the DEATH of a child. Any parent must understand that if we can prevent the DEATH of a child by such a minor inconvenience, accept it and move on. Worry about bigger issues and teach your child to be a little more understanding about a serious issue. You never know, someday it may be you asking other parents for some assistance.

p.s. NO, my kids do not have a peanut allergy.

The issue here isn't bringing PBJ to school for chow. It is asking all parents that they no longer purchase any product that may contain a peanut by product. Being considerate of someone elses allergies by not bringing Mr. Peanut to school for show and tell is different than reinventing your purchasing habits.Schlzm

 

[glock]

Why is it too much? Curious. What defines too much for you?

I think for the kid to be born with this syndrom to be too much. For you, it's watching that your child doesn't bring peanut based products to school.

Nothing like a little perspective.

"Too much" is asking every other parent to check every product they use, including sunscreen, for peanut products, just for this one kid.My 8yo is sensitive to heat (thanks kid...you DO know we live in Phoenix, right? ). Should I ask her school to build a dome over the playground to keep the temp down? Maybe just cancel outdoor activities completely? Just for my daughter. She can't go 100% out in the heat, so why should everyone else be allowed to?

No, I don't do that. I let her teachers know, to keep an eye on her, make sure she gets enough water, and to bring her in/sit her down if she gets red-faced.

Have Melvin's parents call John Travolta and see if they can borrow his Boy In The Plastic Bubble space suit.

You're not seriously going to tell me that is the same thing, are you?

 

[surferguy]

I laugh when I read the hardships created by not allowing a P&J sandwich at school.  Come on people, use some imagination.  Pack a sandwich with one of a million different fillings add some fruit and/or cheese, water bottle, juice box etc. etc.  My kids are 10 and 12 and they have never been allowed peanut products at school.  They have adapted perfectly.  If they want peanut butter, they have it as an evening/weekend snack/meal.  We are talking about a serious situation that could result in the DEATH of a child.  Any parent must understand that if we can prevent the DEATH of a child by such a minor inconvenience, accept it and move on.  Worry about bigger issues and teach your child to be a little more understanding about a serious issue.  You never know, someday it may be you asking other parents for some assistance.

p.s.  NO, my kids do not have a peanut allergy.

The issue here isn't bringing PBJ to school for chow. It is asking all parents that they no longer purchase any product that may contain a peanut by product. Being considerate of someone elses allergies by not bringing Mr. Peanut to school for show and tell is different than reinventing your purchasing habits.Schlzm

I reread the original post and I don't see where the parents were asked not to purchase any product that may contain a peanut byproduct. Did I miss it somewhere? I believe the parents were asked to check products/food that would be sent to school to make sure it did not contain peanuts/peanut byproducts. I think you are blowing this out of proportion. Buy all the peanut products you want just don't send them to school.

 

[glumpy]

I laugh when I read the hardships created by not allowing a P&J sandwich at school.  Come on people, use some imagination.  Pack a sandwich with one of a million different fillings add some fruit and/or cheese, water bottle, juice box etc. etc.  My kids are 10 and 12 and they have never been allowed peanut products at school.  They have adapted perfectly.  If they want peanut butter, they have it as an evening/weekend snack/meal.  We are talking about a serious situation that could result in the DEATH of a child.  Any parent must understand that if we can prevent the DEATH of a child by such a minor inconvenience, accept it and move on.  Worry about bigger issues and teach your child to be a little more understanding about a serious issue.  You never know, someday it may be you asking other parents for some assistance.

p.s.  NO, my kids do not have a peanut allergy.

The issue here isn't bringing PBJ to school for chow. It is asking all parents that they no longer purchase any product that may contain a peanut by product. Being considerate of someone elses allergies by not bringing Mr. Peanut to school for show and tell is different than reinventing your purchasing habits.Schlzm

Lessee....People are allergic to second hand smoke so we can't smoke anywhere anymore. Peanut allergies are getting popular so we can't have peanuts in airplanes and schools anymore. The incidence of alergic reactions to cat dander is on the rise so we can't have cat's anymore. People at my job can't bear the pollen from sycamores so we can't have sycamore trees anymore. People are super sensitive to airborne dust so we can't open windows anymore. People are susceptible to smoke so we can't burn bonfires anymore.....Anybody wonder why someone might feel a little put out by always having to bend over backwards once in awhile?

Why is it always that the masses have to make all the accomodations for the few?!!

And no--I don't generally consider myself an intolerant person.

 

[glumpy]

I reread the original post and I don't see where the parents were asked not to purchase any product that may contain a peanut byproduct. Did I miss it somewhere? I believe the parents were asked to check products/food that would be sent to school to make sure it did not contain peanuts/peanut byproducts. I think you are blowing this out of proportion. Buy all the peanut products you want just don't send them to school.

Can't speak for this case, but in my son's school we cound not bring anything with ANY kind of nut substance into any part of that school. Even to the point when I was asked to cater a luncheon and fry turkeys for Thanksgiving I could not use peanut oil.

 

[surferguy]

I laugh when I read the hardships created by not allowing a P&J sandwich at school.  Come on people, use some imagination.  Pack a sandwich with one of a million different fillings add some fruit and/or cheese, water bottle, juice box etc. etc.  My kids are 10 and 12 and they have never been allowed peanut products at school.  They have adapted perfectly.  If they want peanut butter, they have it as an evening/weekend snack/meal.  We are talking about a serious situation that could result in the DEATH of a child.  Any parent must understand that if we can prevent the DEATH of a child by such a minor inconvenience, accept it and move on.  Worry about bigger issues and teach your child to be a little more understanding about a serious issue.  You never know, someday it may be you asking other parents for some assistance.

p.s.  NO, my kids do not have a peanut allergy.

The issue here isn't bringing PBJ to school for chow. It is asking all parents that they no longer purchase any product that may contain a peanut by product. Being considerate of someone elses allergies by not bringing Mr. Peanut to school for show and tell is different than reinventing your purchasing habits.Schlzm

Lessee....People are allergic to second hand smoke so we can't smoke anywhere anymore. Peanut allergies are getting popular so we can't have peanuts in airplanes and schools anymore. The incidence of alergic reactions to cat dander is on the rise so we can't have cat's anymore. People at my job can't bear the pollen from sycamores so we can't have sycamore trees anymore. People are super sensitive to airborne dust so we can't open windows anymore. People are susceptible to smoke so we can't burn bonfires anymore.....Anybody wonder why someone might feel a little put out by always having to bend over backwards once in awhile?

Why is it always that the masses have to make all the accomodations for the few?!!

And no--I don't generally consider myself an intolerant person.

Why? Because we are talking about the possible death of a child -- it is that simple. Who wants that on their conscience for the rest of their life? I'll take the extra 5 minutes and help out Mel. Next time it may be my child.

 

[surferguy]

I laugh when I read the hardships created by not allowing a P&J sandwich at school.  Come on people, use some imagination.  Pack a sandwich with one of a million different fillings add some fruit and/or cheese, water bottle, juice box etc. etc.  My kids are 10 and 12 and they have never been allowed peanut products at school.  They have adapted perfectly.  If they want peanut butter, they have it as an evening/weekend snack/meal.  We are talking about a serious situation that could result in the DEATH of a child.  Any parent must understand that if we can prevent the DEATH of a child by such a minor inconvenience, accept it and move on.  Worry about bigger issues and teach your child to be a little more understanding about a serious issue.  You never know, someday it may be you asking other parents for some assistance.

p.s.  NO, my kids do not have a peanut allergy.

The issue here isn't bringing PBJ to school for chow. It is asking all parents that they no longer purchase any product that may contain a peanut by product. Being considerate of someone elses allergies by not bringing Mr. Peanut to school for show and tell is different than reinventing your purchasing habits.Schlzm

Lessee....People are allergic to second hand smoke so we can't smoke anywhere anymore. Peanut allergies are getting popular so we can't have peanuts in airplanes and schools anymore. The incidence of alergic reactions to cat dander is on the rise so we can't have cat's anymore. People at my job can't bear the pollen from sycamores so we can't have sycamore trees anymore. People are super sensitive to airborne dust so we can't open windows anymore. People are susceptible to smoke so we can't burn bonfires anymore.....Anybody wonder why someone might feel a little put out by always having to bend over backwards once in awhile?

Why is it always that the masses have to make all the accomodations for the few?!!

And no--I don't generally consider myself an intolerant person.

Why? Because we are talking about the possible death of a child -- it is that simple. Who wants that on their conscience for the rest of their life? I'll take the extra 5 minutes and help out Mel. Next time it may be my child.

 

[Schlzm]

I laugh when I read the hardships created by not allowing a P&J sandwich at school.  Come on people, use some imagination.  Pack a sandwich with one of a million different fillings add some fruit and/or cheese, water bottle, juice box etc. etc.  My kids are 10 and 12 and they have never been allowed peanut products at school.  They have adapted perfectly.  If they want peanut butter, they have it as an evening/weekend snack/meal.  We are talking about a serious situation that could result in the DEATH of a child.  Any parent must understand that if we can prevent the DEATH of a child by such a minor inconvenience, accept it and move on.  Worry about bigger issues and teach your child to be a little more understanding about a serious issue.  You never know, someday it may be you asking other parents for some assistance.

p.s.  NO, my kids do not have a peanut allergy.

The issue here isn't bringing PBJ to school for chow. It is asking all parents that they no longer purchase any product that may contain a peanut by product. Being considerate of someone elses allergies by not bringing Mr. Peanut to school for show and tell is different than reinventing your purchasing habits.Schlzm

I reread the original post and I don't see where the parents were asked not to purchase any product that may contain a peanut byproduct. Did I miss it somewhere? I believe the parents were asked to check products/food that would be sent to school to make sure it did not contain peanuts/peanut byproducts. I think you are blowing this out of proportion. Buy all the peanut products you want just don't send them to school.

I thought it was obvious, you purchase a brand of lotion because it is highly effective and overall the best in your opinion. However said lotion has peanut oil in it thereby not allowing you to apply it to your child before sending her off to school. Thus forcing you to purchase a new brand of lotion for your child. This is only one example of forcing someone to change their habits for a disconnected third party. Where does it end?Schlzm

 

[bialczabub]

full disclosure: Glumpy works for Planters

 

[Schlzm]

full disclosure: Glumpy works for Planters

 

[glumpy]

full disclosure: Glumpy works for Planters

 

[Dragons]

Screw that kid. I would tell my child not to give him nuts or anything like that, but I am not going to alter how my kid eats or what he/she does just because we have the equivalent to the peanut bubble boy in their class.

Home schooling should be an option for the kid I think (I am referring to the peanut freak).

You do realize that the child can die if you send your kid to school with a PB&J sandwich just to prove your point, right? Peanut allergies are usually that bad.

I'm not proving a point.The child should not be in a public environment if the risk is that great.

Why should everyone else suffer?

You have to be fishing. No one can be that dumb/ignorant.

Um...he's 100% correct. No way should that kid be in a school like that.

You're right, maybe we can have all children with any sort of abnormality that can possibly inconvience anyone rounded up and put on a separate schools. Hell, let's put them in a separate state, maybe Alaska since that's far away, just to make double sure they don't inconvience you or closed minded people like you.

Alaska could double as the heat allergy kid state as well.

 

[surferguy]

I laugh when I read the hardships created by not allowing a P&J sandwich at school.  Come on people, use some imagination.  Pack a sandwich with one of a million different fillings add some fruit and/or cheese, water bottle, juice box etc. etc.  My kids are 10 and 12 and they have never been allowed peanut products at school.  They have adapted perfectly.  If they want peanut butter, they have it as an evening/weekend snack/meal.  We are talking about a serious situation that could result in the DEATH of a child.  Any parent must understand that if we can prevent the DEATH of a child by such a minor inconvenience, accept it and move on.  Worry about bigger issues and teach your child to be a little more understanding about a serious issue.  You never know, someday it may be you asking other parents for some assistance.

p.s.  NO, my kids do not have a peanut allergy.

The issue here isn't bringing PBJ to school for chow. It is asking all parents that they no longer purchase any product that may contain a peanut by product. Being considerate of someone elses allergies by not bringing Mr. Peanut to school for show and tell is different than reinventing your purchasing habits.Schlzm

I reread the original post and I don't see where the parents were asked not to purchase any product that may contain a peanut byproduct. Did I miss it somewhere? I believe the parents were asked to check products/food that would be sent to school to make sure it did not contain peanuts/peanut byproducts. I think you are blowing this out of proportion. Buy all the peanut products you want just don't send them to school.

I thought it was obvious, you purchase a brand of lotion because it is highly effective and overall the best in your opinion. However said lotion has peanut oil in it thereby not allowing you to apply it to your child before sending her off to school. Thus forcing you to purchase a new brand of lotion for your child. This is only one example of forcing someone to change their habits for a disconnected third party. Where does it end?Schlzm

I understand your thinking. I remember my sister explaining why my niece could not take peanut products to school. I thought it was a stupid rule. Then I had children and my position changed. I wouldn't want to walk in the shoes of Melvin's parents. It must be a nightmare for them. If I can help out with the minor inconvenience to possibly save a child's life, I'll do it. If the parent's were asking for blood to save Melvin's life, most likely every parent at the school would roll up their sleeve to help.

 

[Schlzm]

I don't have kids yet, and it is quite possible my opinion of the matter will change. However as it stands I feel that it is a little selfish of Melvins parents to impose such tight restrictions on what the other kids in the class are allowed to expose themselves to. Helping someone out is one thing, this is completely different.Schlzm

 

[Politician Spock]

Shouldn't evolution have weeded out this allergy by now?

Government social safety nets work in contrast to evolution. Expect to see more and more of the unusual as goverment teaches (AND PROTECTS US FROM)Darwinism.

 

[guru_007]

I didn't read all of the posts here, but I don't really see what the big deal is. At the day care my kids used to attend there was a child there with the same affliction that Melvin had.First off, my daycare didn't mention the name of the kid with the allergy, and I thought this to be quite appropriate.Second off, they too requested that my children not only not bring in anything with peanuts in it, but if they had had peanut butter, or a candy with peanuts in it that we make sure we washed their hands and mouth's off before entering the day care.At first I thought it was entirely brazen to "punish" the entire day care for one poor kids poor luck. But after a few months I lightened up. It was not a big deal, honestly. If my kids want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, they had one on the weekends. During the week, a healthy lunch was provided every day for them. For those of you that think it was such a huge and outrageous request to avoid peanuts, I simply hope that you do not have the misfortune with having your child stricken with a similar allergy or malady.

 

[bialczabub]

Shouldn't evolution have weeded out this allergy by now?

Government social safety nets work in contrast to evolution. Expect to see more and more of the unusual as goverment teaches (AND PROTECTS US FROM)Darwinism.

Human nature rightly protects us from Darwinism. This is something of which to be proud, not ashamed. We allow those with ailments and disabilities to pass on their genes.The most prominent figure to disagree with this practice was Hitler.

 

[Politician Spock]

Shouldn't evolution have weeded out this allergy by now?

Government social safety nets work in contrast to evolution. Expect to see more and more of the unusual as goverment teaches (AND PROTECTS US FROM)Darwinism.

Human nature rightly protects us from Darwinism. This is something of which to be proud, not ashamed. We allow those with ailments and disabilities to pass on their genes.The most prominent figure to disagree with this practice was Hitler.

Just explaining why evolution doesn't weed things out of mankind. We're on the same page.

 

[dancingbones]

Is this peanut allergy something that simply went undetected in the past and kids who had it just met a sudden death or illness?  I'm curious if anyone has any theories about how this started to be a problem, and why now?

As to the original post.  I don't think it is unreasonable to ask other families to be aware of the problems that peanut products could cause - but ultimately it is the responsibility of the allergic child's parents (and later, of course, Melvin himself), to keep him in a peanut-free environment.

For the marketing of the christian books and the disdain for all things "secular" - that would bother me more. 

If you don't get a good vibe from your child's pre-school, you should find another one that you're more comfortable with.  .02

I've thought the same thing about the peanut allergy. from wikipedia:

For reasons that are not understood, food allergies have become more common in Western nations in recent times. (This trend seems to apply to asthma as well.) In the United States, it is believe that about 4% of the population suffers from food allergies. In children, this number is believed to be significantly higher.

The most common food allergens include peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat - these foods account for about 90% of all allergic reactions.

then there's this theory:

Some recent research has also begun to show that some kinds of common parasites, such as intestinal worms (e.g. hookworms), secrete immunosuppressant chemicals into the gut wall and hence the bloodstream which prevent the body from attacking the parasite. This gives rise to a new slant on the hygiene hypothesis - that co-evolution of man and parasites has in the past led to an immune system that only functions correctly in the presence of the parasites. Without them, the immune system becomes unbalanced and oversensitive. Gutworms and similar parasites are present in untreated drinking water in undeveloped countries, and in developed countries until the routine chlorination and purification of drinking water supplies. This also coincides with the time period in which a significant rise in allergies has been observed. So far, there is only sporadic evidence to support this hypothesis - one scientist who suffered from seasonal allergic rhinitis (hayfever) infected himself with gutworms and was immediately 'cured' of his allergy with no other ill effects. Full clinical trials have yet to be performed however. It may be that the term 'parasite' could turn out to be inappropriate, and in fact a hitherto unsuspected symbiosis is at work.

and finally:

One theory that has been gaining strength is the "hygiene hypothesis". This theory maintains that since children in more affluent countries are leading a cleaner and cleaner life (less exposure to dirt, extra use of disinfectants, etc), their immune systems have less exposure to parasites and other pathogens than children in other countries or in decades past. Their immune systems may, therefore, have many "loaded guns", cells which might have targeted, say, the intestinal worms that no longer cause trouble in affluent neighbourhoods. Having no reasonable target, these cells inadvertently become activated by environmental antigens that might only cause minor reactions in others. It is the symptoms of this exaggerated response that is seen as the allergic reaction.

Many common allergies such as asthma have seen huge increases in the years since the second world war, and many studies appear to show a correlation between this and the increasingly affluent and clean lifestyles in the west. This is supported by studies in less developed countries that do not enjoy western levels of cleanliness, and similarly do not show western levels of incidences of asthma and other allergies. During this same period, air quality, at one time considered the "obvious" cause of asthma, has shown a considerable improvement. This has led some researchers to conclude that it is our "too clean" upbringing that is to blame for the lack of immune system stimulation in early childhood.

So far the evidence to support this theory is limited.

Another theory is the exponential use and abuse of chemicals in affluent nations since the second world war. Vast numbers of chemicals are introduced into our indoor and outdoor environments with little or no testing regarding their toxicity to living beings. Many believe that air quality is getting worse rather than better, particularly if one considers indoor air quality as well as outdoor. (Indoor air quality has become significantly worse since building codes changed in the 1970s to make buildings more air-tight to conserve energy. This affects buildings built since that time.) Adverse reactions to toxins vary considerably from one person to another, and can involve extremes in symptoms including the neurological and endocrine systems as well as the more commonly recognized allergy symptoms listed above.

In 2004, a joint Swedish-Danish research team (Bornehag et al.) found a very strong link between allergies in children and the phthalates DEHP and BBzP, commonly used in PVC.

Allergies are also viewed by some medical practitioners as a negative consequence of the use and abuse of antibiotics and vaccinations. This mainstream Western approach to treatment and prevention of infectious disease has been used in the more affluent world for a longer period of time than in the rest of the world, hence the much greater commonality of allergies there. It is hypothesized that use of antibiotics and vaccination affect the immune system, and that allergies are a dysfunctional immune response. There is, however, very little evidence to support this view.

Interesting stuff here - thanks for taking the time to look it up. So, to make sure your kids have the best chance at not developing allergies, you either expose to a little bit of everything (and hope that there isn't some synergystic chemical reaction that makes them allergic) OR you shelter them from all of the chemicals and pollutants we put in our environment & ourselves (and hope that your sheltering them isn't causing their body to attack itself out of boredom!).For my family, we live in a old house with no AC & plenty of "natural" ventillation to give us just the right balance of indoor & outdoor airbourne pollutants. We drink purified water, so we keep all the crap that get dumped in the Mississippi from lodging in our liver. And, we didn't immunize our kids and have had to use antibiotics maybe twice in the past 5 years.

Both of our kids love PBJs. Does this mean I have the answer?

 

[the rover]

And, we didn't immunize our kids

All credibility lost with this statement.

 

[dancingbones]

And, we didn't immunize our kids

All credibility lost with this statement.

So you're saying I don't have the answer after all?

 

[Buckychudd]

And, we didn't immunize our kids

All credibility lost with this statement.

So you're saying I don't have the answer after all?

I did immunize my kids, but some indicators point to the mercury they used in the shots as a cause of the rise in Autism, etc.

 

[the rover]

And, we didn't immunize our kids

All credibility lost with this statement.

So you're saying I don't have the answer after all?

I did immunize my kids, but some indicators point to the mercury they used in the shots as a cause of the rise in Autism, etc.

No credible study has linked the presence of thimerosal in MMR vaccines with autism. at least 15 studies, done in Denmark, Britain and the US, have found that there was no link. Plus, thimerosal is no longer used in the MMR vaccines. In Denmark, they stopped using it 10 years ago, and found no decline in autism. It stopped being used in the US 3 years ago.

 

[glumpy]

Seems these things are on the rise. I still believe it's largely due to being overprotective:

"Theories include ... America's super-clean society, which can perhaps lead to increased allergy susceptibility."

Saw this article on ABC news this morning and it caught my attention. Arguments go both ways, of course.

Here's the text:

Schools Take Drastic Measures to Protect Kids With Severe Food Allergies

Some Parents Complain, Saying Schools Are Taking Things Too Far

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2005 — As kids across the country start the school year, many schools are facing a new challenge — how to protect an increasing number of students with severe food allergies.

Fourth grader Sam Spear is part of that growing group.

"I'm allergic to peanuts," he said.

On Sam's first day of school, for instance, his teacher explained the rules: "This year, we are not going to be trading food," she told the class.

Many schools are taking quite drastic measures to keep children safe.

Sam's school and many others have peanut-free tables in their cafeterias. Other schools have a long list of banned foods — everything from homemade snacks to strawberries to sesame seeds.

A New York City nursery school has set aside one classroom for snacks containing no eggs or dairy products. At another school near Charlotte, N.C., cafeteria workers are careful to cook without using peanut products, which means hours spent scrutinizing food labels.

"One life lost is too many," said Cabarrus County Schools Assistant Superintendent Jim Amendum. "We think this is a reasonable accommodation to make."

In some cases, even a student's lunch card is encoded to warn of any allergies.

No one is certain why food allergies are on the increase among children. Theories include the way peanuts are cooked, to the diets of young children, to America's super-clean society, which can perhaps lead to increased allergy susceptibility.

Whatever the reason, schools are taking it seriously.

At Sam's school district in Franklin, Mass., children with severe allergies are now allowed to carry epinephrine to be injected immediately after an allergic reaction.

"Safe allergy practices in school provide my son and others like him equal access, so they are not afraid to learn," said Sam's mother, Anne Spear.

Schools Going Too Far?

Some schools, however, are already being forced to back off on banning certain foods after receiving complaints from parents who say they're going too far.

One top allergist agrees, noting that the new measures might even give children a false sense of security.

"It might make them more likely to share food with somebody if they think there is no risk that there is a peanut around," said Dr. Robert Wood, a professor of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University.

Ultimately, says Wood, the solution lies not in banning a long list of foods, but in educating kids with allergies to avoid any food which may pose a danger. Schools say it doesn't hurt to be extra careful.

ABC News' Lisa Stark filed this report for "World News Tonight."

 

[Twilight]

Seems these things are on the rise. I still believe it's largely due to being overprotective:

"Theories include ... America's super-clean society, which can perhaps lead to increased allergy susceptibility."

There was a study within the past year (No link, but I might look for it later) that said kids that had infections at a young age had better developed immune systems and were healthier than those that didn't.I definitely lean towards the paranoia about germs leading toward this.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Turns out Melvin is a biter. He has biten three kids thus far. Fortunately not mine.The school sent a note home saying they and Melvin's parents are working on the issue and to please bear with them.

 

[Polish Hammer]

I say the kids use a peanut based soap. Something tells me the biting stops real fast.

 

[NCCommish]

Turns out Melvin is a biter. He has biten three kids thus far. Fortunately not mine.

The school sent a note home saying they and Melvin's parents are working on the issue and to please bear with them.

Why won't I be surprised to learn that Melvin has been coddled his whole life and expects that the world will let him do whatever whenever? All while making everyone else bend to his needs?I was very allergic to all citric acid as a kid. Sucked living in Florida and not being able to eat oranges and the like. And of course anything with tomato in it. Our solution when I went to school? I had to watch for what I shouldn't eat and I took my own lunches everyday to insure there would be no problems with the school menu. Thankfully I outgrew it but it seems to me maybe we are not forcing enough responsibility for self on some folks.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Turns out Melvin is a biter.  He has biten three kids thus far.  Fortunately not mine.

The school sent a note home saying they and Melvin's parents are working on the issue and to please bear with them.

Why won't I be surprised to learn that Melvin has been coddled his whole life and expects that the world will let him do whatever whenever? All while making everyone else bend to his needs?I was very allergic to all citric acid as a kid. Sucked living in Florida and not being able to eat oranges and the like. And of course anything with tomato in it. Our solution when I went to school? I had to watch for what I shouldn't eat and I took my own lunches everyday to insure there would be no problems with the school menu. Thankfully I outgrew it but it seems to me maybe we are not forcing enough responsibility for self on some folks.

I disagree with you on the Wal Mart thing, but I completely agree with you on this one.

 

[NCCommish]

Turns out Melvin is a biter.  He has biten three kids thus far.  Fortunately not mine.

The school sent a note home saying they and Melvin's parents are working on the issue and to please bear with them.

Why won't I be surprised to learn that Melvin has been coddled his whole life and expects that the world will let him do whatever whenever? All while making everyone else bend to his needs?I was very allergic to all citric acid as a kid. Sucked living in Florida and not being able to eat oranges and the like. And of course anything with tomato in it. Our solution when I went to school? I had to watch for what I shouldn't eat and I took my own lunches everyday to insure there would be no problems with the school menu. Thankfully I outgrew it but it seems to me maybe we are not forcing enough responsibility for self on some folks.

I disagree with you on the Wal Mart thing, but I completely agree with you on this one.

No problem. Being right 50 percent of the time brings up your average.

 

[PC Load Letter]

Turns out Melvin is a biter. He has biten three kids thus far. Fortunately not mine.

The school sent a note home saying they and Melvin's parents are working on the issue and to please bear with them.

Is he allergic to the other children? Maybe parents should keep their kids at home until they run some tests.