Back to School

Many of you may be experiencing the quiet in the house that I have today. I actually have some time to sit and work on this blog. All 3 of my children are now in school. For those of you experiencing sending your child with food allergies to school for the first time, I can definitely relate to you. Turning our children over to another adult to care for them can bring a bit of anxiety. The key to a bit of peace lies in your preparation.

It is important to prepare your child's teacher, school nurse, and school staff by giving them the appropriate information on your child's allergy and an emergency treatment plan. It may sometimes be difficult to communicate the seriousness of your child's allergy. People who have not had experience with a child that has food allergies often see us as over reacting and may not even take our situation seriously. In these cases, the first step lies in educating and providing the resources that explain what food allergies are and how a reaction can look. The second step begins with training on how to protect your child from an allergic reaction and how to respond in a situation where your child has a reaction.

Remember that communication is two-way, so as a parent, you will want to listen and allow your child's teacher and others to ask questions. Check for their understanding by asking your own questions as well. Being prepared will make this transition much easier and give you some peace of mind.