One afternoon, just after she turned one, my husband fed our oldest daughter part of a Reese’s Cup. I mean…she was over one, we followed what we’d been told and waited til after our first birthday. I don’t even know if he’d realized I hadn’t given it to her yet. And peanut butter was literally my favorite food. Who would’ve ever imagined that in seconds her tiny face would blow up with huge welts and start swelling??

Luckily, I knew about food allergies. I had a student at the time who had a variety of food allergies, whose Mom was amazing and taught me so much. We didn’t have an Epi-Pen on hand but I knew enough to give her Benadryl. The hospital was only 10 minutes away, but it felt like a cross country trip.

I dosed her with Benadryl instantly and took a picture so I could show the doctors at the ER.

At the ER we were given an Epi and watched for awhile. Her symptoms slowly subsided after a few hours observation and we were sent on our way with an Epi-Pen prescription and a referral to an allergist.

We had no idea how much a food allergy (or in my daughter’s case multiple food allergies) would change our lives. Until you have a child or family member with food allergies, you can’t possibly understand. You have to change the way you think about everything.

Everything becomes more complicated. Birthday parties, family potlucks, and Halloween, all became things I dreaded. Telling a 3 year old she can only eat her “special” cupcakes while  everyone else is devouring My Little Pony cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles is NOT fun.

Yet what induces my mom anxiety more than anything in the world is the thought of sending her off to elementary school.  Dealing with food allergies at school is a totally different dimension.   Her preschool has been fabulous. Both the director and each of her teachers have been extremely accommodating and eager to educate themselves on how to keep her safe.

However, I worked in the public school system and know this is not always the case. There are still an abundance of people who don’t understand food allergies, nor do they take the time to educate themselves. I worked hard to be an advocate for my students while I taught, but not everyone understands the lengths that one must go to, to protect a child with food allergies.

I’ve still got a year left to prepare myself, but I know there are so many parents out there who are sending their babies off this year, and so as an allergy Mom, and a former public school teacher, I wanted to offer some advice on keeping your child safe when dealing with food allergies at school.

Be sure to label everything

My daughter has her name on her bookbag, her lunchbox, and her pouch that she keeps her Epi-pens in. I also created these bookbag and lunch box tags for my daughter. I heard many times of teachers failing to alert substitutes of allergies, and wanted another way to alert them. Additionally, my daughter will wear a food allergy alert bracelet to school at all times.

Speak with teacher, nurse, and administration prior to the start of the school year about how food allergies at school are handled.

Depending on your school, you may be able to schedule a meeting with all 3. Be sure to be ready with a list of questions.

• Is the school allergen free? If so, what is the policy when un-safe foods are brought in?
• How will your child’s allergy be communicated to parents? Will reminders be sent home before parties or any snacks?
• How will other staff members be made aware of your childs food allergy and where to find Epi-Pen?
• Where will Epi-pens be stored?
• Are all staff members up to date on their Epi-pen training?
• Where will my child’s Epi-Pens be stored? May they carry one?
• How will lunch be handled with my child?
• Will an Epi-Pen be brought to recess? To special classes?
• How are other children in the school educated about handling  food allergies at school?
• How will field trips and other special activities be dealt with?

Do not feel guilty about asking so many questions. Everything you are asking is for your child’s safety.

The teachers, nurse and administration should be receptive to your questions and accommodating to your childs needs. If they are not, you need to make the school board or superintendent aware.

Additionally, the meeting is also the perfect time to discuss the next step.

Have a 504 in place.

A 504 is basically an individualized plan to keep your child with food allergies safe at school. It is slightly different from an IHP (Individualized Health Plan) in that it covers all aspects of the school day from in the classroom, to the lunch room, to special classes and more. A 504 is written in collaboration with your family and the school staff. Many if not all of the questions above, should be answered and included in the 504. This is such an important tool for your child. It also provides a paper trail to hold the school, and their staff accountable.

Make Epi-Pen and action plan easily accessible

Inside her labeled pouch we keep a copy of her emergency plan, as well as the medical form that gives her permission to have it at school. In younger grades, teachers usually keep the pouch for safe-keeping, but as they get older, children are sometimes allowed to carry the Epi-pens themselves. You may want to see about keeping multiple pens throughout the school. Depending on the layout of the school there may be multiple central locations you can store them. My classroom was in the back of the building so we kept an Epi-Pen there, as well as one in the office, which was located in the front by the cafeteria, which was also central to the specials classes. I always carried an Epi-pen outside as well.

In this bag we store my daughter’s Epi-Pen, allergy action plan and Benadryl. I labeled it with her name (though in hindsight, wouldn’t have choosen white).

Make sure all Epi-Pens/medication are up to date.

Every time I pick up an Epi-Pen, I add it’s expiration date to the calendar in my phone and set a reminder for 2 weeks prior. This way I can be sure that the medication is never expired and always up to date. Good school nurses will also track this and send home reminders but do not rely on that. Be sure you are responsible for this yourself.

Be sure you know your rights.

Food allergies should not be a reason for exclusion for your child. Your child should not be prevented from participating in any school activities because of their allergy. Your child is protected under the Americans with Disability Act. This makes it illegal to discriminate against an individual with a disability, which includes food allergies. Your child should NOT be discriminated or excluded from any school event or activity as a result of their food allergy.

While schools are not required to be “nut-free,” many schools are doing just that. Obviously, this is ideal, but it is not mandated. When I was a teacher, I put the request in the SIT (student improvement team) box hoping the school I worked at would reconsider. Several schools in my county have gone that route, and I hope many more follow suite.

Provide safe snack lists to make sure teachers and other parents can easily find safe foods.

The best way to get parents on your side, is to take the work away from them. Give the teacher a list of safe foods that she can share with all the parents. This will make shopping for snacks and treats easier, and other parents more likely to cooperate.

This list was given to me by a the fabulous parent and mentor I had in my classroom. She took me under her wing when my own child was diagnosed and guided me through the murky waters of having a child with a food allergy. This lady is truly a saint! She has given me permission to share it, and I’ve modified it slightly adding some design elements and adding a few snacks I’ve found along the way. This list is for peanut and tree nut allergies, but you can find lists on the internet for almost any allergy! You can grab your copy by clicking below.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind, different companies have different labeling practices, and these can even change. This Crafty Mom assumes no liability from sharing this list. Please use common sense, and continue to double check for your child’s safety!

Role play with your child various scenarios which they may encounter at school

Prepare your child for any situation she may encounter by role playing different scenarios. Peer-pressure by a friend; when an adult makes a questionable decision; what to do in an emergency; anything you can imagine, role play it. Give your child the tools she needs to socially navigate these potentially dangerous situations. Start an open line of conversation early, and keep the communication flowing through the years. As she gets older, she may balk at the idea of role play, but it important that you always ask those hard questions and make sure she understands the gravity of the situation.  Learning how to live with food allergies at school is the first step in preparing for the independence they will one day have in adulthood.

Provide a safe snack stash to keep at school in case of food emergency.

So little Bobby’s Mama forget your child’s food allergies and brought cupcakes? This is a sucky situation all the way around. You don’t want to ruin little Bobby’s birthday because your kid can’t have them, but you don’t want your child to be excluded either.

Avoid this situation by providing your child’s teacher safe snacks to keep on hand at school for your child. We keep frozen cupcakes at home, and have sent them to school for this reason. Our school is fantastic about making sure parents stick to the safe snack list so it’s no longer necessary, but this will not be the case at all schools. There are a lot of grey areas surrounding food allergies, and some schools/districts contend this is not necessary. So be sure to provide them yourself.

Teach your child to advocate for themselves.

It’s sad that we have to go to this extreme, but completely necessary. I have taught my daughter to not put anything in her mouth that I haven’t approved without asking an adult. I’ve heard her asking other adults (who usually refer to me) and my heart literally swells with pride. Training her to ask first is one of the most important things I can do to keep her safe.

As she learns to read, I will also teach her to ALWAYS check labels, even when she’s checked them before. And if there is any doubt to never take any chances. It’s a scary world out there, and unfortunately I cannot always be by her side, so teaching her responsibility is crucial.

I also plan to educate her on her rights and teach her to speak up if she doesn’t think something is fair. She should not have to be seated at a “peanut-free” table and kept from her friends. She should not be denied snack while everyone else gets one because it’s not safe. Her allergies should never be grounds for exclusion, and if they are she needs to speak up, and tell her father and I so we can be sure to address it.  This is something I hope she learns not only through dealing with food allergies at school, but also in her everyday life.

Food allergies are scary.  School should not be.  Following these steps and preparing your child, should allow you some peace of mind as you send your baby off to school.

However, be ever vigilante, and never make assumptions.  Be sure the snack list is re-distributed before holidays and special activities.  Attend field trips and class parties if possible.  Check in with your child’s teacher and have constant conversations about safety and food allergies with your child.  Food allergies at school are becoming more common, but never make the assumption other people understand them.

Be sure to pin this and review it every school year!  Best of luck this school year!  May your child be healthy, happy, and allergen free this school year and always!