Our preschool is incredible for many things, including allergies. Children are fed only items they bring from home, no nuts may be brought into the classroom, and the emergency evacuation system includes food for children with allergies.
Once a month, anyone with a birthday that month receives a cupcake. She must, though, take her cupcake home. This way, the parent can decide whether or when her child will consume it.
Sometimes a birthday kid might bring in enough treats to share with the whole class. When my son was offered two cupcakes at the end of September, I initially declined, explaining to the little friend, “Thank you very much. Those are so beautiful! We cannot eat those, though, because certain ingredients hurt our bellies.”
One of the teachers overheard and suggested my son might take them home and give them to friends. I thought that was a fantastic idea. My son considered who he would like to give them to, made a decision, and received the cupcakes. The teacher then voiced concern that it might be hard on my son, psychologically, to carry them home. I said, “No, he’s not phased by anything like that. He goes to potlucks, parties, etc, and he’s totally fine.”
Indeed, my son didn’t blink an eye as he popped the cupcakes into his knapsack. He was very excited, though, about having gifts for two of his friends.
By the time we got home, I’d forgotten all about the treats, but my son had not. He saw his friends and asked me if he could offer the cupcakes. In true allergy-aware-mom style, I asked him to ask their mom if that was okay.
Just as the kids started digging in, a tiny neighbour boy who has recently started GAPS came by. As he is on early intro, I was mortified for him! But he looked, paused, then declared loudly and cheerfully, “I can’t eat those. I can only eat eggs and muffins and soup!”
Ha! It just kills me how these kids come to be totally fine with what they’re eating.
In like manner, my own son followed up with, “I want to eat with them! I want tuna and sauerkraut!” We got his food, brought it out on a tray and all the kids ate happily together, all beaming in equal measure.
Baden,
That preschool is a dream! My son’s preschool is very cooperative with his diet but we have to do a lot of substitutions. Each month they “cook” something and of course every month it’s pure junk. It seems like every week somebody has a birthday and brings in a sugary treat. My son also doesn’t have a problem with it as long as I send something along for him to eat.
I would love to find a school like yours!