Parenting a Child with a Food Allergy

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January 9, 2006

Don't try to scare them

I saw an article from a small town paper in Michigan and a quote from there really got me thinking...

"I talk to them about peanut allergy and honestly I try to scare them," she explained. "I tell them 'you're going to be the one who has to save their life.'"

I know the intent of this mother educating the staff and stressing the importance of their role in the emergency care... I get that. It's just that we need to be careful how we educate. I don't want school staff to be scared, I just want them to be prepared.

One important key is an emergency "action plan," something that we strongly encourages parents to create along with the school nurse. Our kids with a severe child food allergy each have their own education flyer that is easy to read and has clear emergency plan steps including a picture of our child and our cell phone numbers (to be dialed AFTER 911, of course). The flyer is so helpful at the beginning of school, the start of a new semester and especially when there is a substitute teacher.

An action plan is an important part of keeping a child with a food allergy safe. Education and preparedness are the keys.

Posted by David at January 9, 2006 8:34 AM

Comments

Posted by: Ryan at January 10, 2006 11:06 AM