CAMP MOMMY 2008 - Peanut Free Zone?

Alas, it is the first day of my one-week-only-all-summer CAMP MOMMY reprieve, and:
1) We're having an A/C issue, waiting for the HVAC guy to call me back to come look at it;
2) I'm not feeling so great, probably from being way too warm all night and not being able to sleep.

Not that I'm complaining, or anything.

Our first morning with the 8am, 9am x 2, and 10am drop-off schedule went fine, although there will be adjustments to smooth out the 1/2-hour lag times in-between, when we're sitting in the parking lot to drop off before anyone is around to start camp. This one-car family thing can be a challenge, but again, I'm not complaining...

We had to start early this morning to get everyone dressed and packed, ready to go for the day. Junior Police Academy is providing lunch every day for 13yo Puberty Angst Boy, but the other two require sack lunches. This is not a problem, with the exception on the ADHD Summer FUN Camp schedule:

"PLEASE have your child:
* Bring a lunch each day. Lunch can be heated up in a microwave is needed.
[half a page further down the list:]
PLEASE DON'T:
* Bring PEANUT products - The 504 School is a peanut free zone."

Okay, really, I'm fine with this. I am sensitive to other people's needs and issues, especially with children, and so, all right, no peanut products. It shouldn't be that big a deal. But, you have to understand, 7yo ADHD Phenom's most-favorite sack lunch staple, in the whole world, is peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches. I have no alternative menus.

Believe me, I've tried, all through last year when I fastidiously packed lunches every single day for this one, because I couldn't even get away with sending money for school lunch one day a week for pizza day (or whatever), like I could with the older two. No, AP had to have his lunched packed at home every day, and it started with his favorite PBJ. And then there are peanut butter crackers, second on the list of favorites. Not to mention, a big old glob of peanut butter with apple slices or pretzels or all by itself on a spoon. This is supposed to be good for him, all that protein and all.

I didn't think it would be a big deal, and it's not, but it is somewhat of a challenge to come up with acceptable alternatives every day for the next three weeks. I got up today and made him a grilled cheese sandwich; made cheese quesadillas while I was at it, for 10yo Drama Queen's lunch, and for breakfast for the rest of us, with bacon. I admit, I'm a little nervous to see what AP's reaction will be when I pick him up from camp this afternoon -- "How was lunch?"

I went to the grocery store with 10yo Drama Queen this morning, between the 9am and 10am drop-offs. We found these boxed Lunchable-type things she was anxious to try and thought that AP would like them, too. We bought "Deep Dish Pizza," "Chicken Strips" (with Cheese Nips!) and a "Ham & Cheddar Cracker Combo" thing. I know, I'm feeling a little bit sick, too. No peanut products, but I am nutritionally suspicious: happy that these little meals come with a water, but not so much that it also comes with a "Kool-Aid Singles Tropical Punch" and a (very small, thankfully) AirHeads Artifically Flavored Candy or "Fruit" Roll. Now that I'm looking more closely at the Nutrition Facts, I don't even want to tell you the Calories, Saturated Fat or Sugars. I am a horrible mother.

I also stopped for fresh bagels and cream cheese on the way home, so that will be tomorrow's non-peanut main course for lunch. Any other ideas?

Comments

[Neena (NeenMachine)]

As the mother of a peanut allergic child, I can't even begin to tell you how appreciative we (parents of the allergic) are of the efforts of parents like you who help to keep our children safe.

Peanut allergies are very often life threatening. Even contact with a eensy bit of peanut butter can kill. Imaging keeping a loaded gun in your kitchen cabinet.

It is especially nerve racking when the children are younger because they aren't the neatest eaters, peanut butter is sticky, and somehow kids are always touching each other. As they get older and more mature we are able to trust that our kids will be able to avoid situations that are dangerous to them and the need to rely on the goodwill of other families diminishes.

In the meantime, I know it can be a real pain to come up with ideas for peanut free lunches and snacks (after all, my other three children are not allergic - so I see both sides). I will post some ideas for peanut free lunches and snacks. But it usually does involve some dietary adventurous-ness on the part of the kids.

Just stress to your child that he is being a real buddy to the peanut allergic campers and he is truly helping to "protect a life". Explain to him that if tables were reversed that he would appreciate the help of the other campers.

As a mom, I thank you Sherri, and all the other moms like you that put up with the inconvenience!

[Sherri Caldwell - The Rebel Housewife]

Thank you for your comment, Neena. Interesting and helpful information for the non-peanut sufferers, which can help us understand and be more sensitive to the issue.

I asked the school director about it, and was surprised to find that the kid with the peanut allergies is not even in the camp, but the concern was that any inadvertent remnants (smear on the wall or underside of a table or something like that) could really be detrimental to the allergy-sufferer, even weeks or months later.

So NO PEANUT PRODUCTS!!! I've had numerous suggestions and alternatives in response to the blog, so I'll follow-up with some of those on the next entry.

Live, Love & Laugh,
Sherri

[Holly]

How 'bout whole wheat pita with hummus? (My staple when we're all out of deli meat.) I take it he's not a fan of deli meat? Or if he's okay with that, we try to mix it up with type of bread...flatbread, bagels, pita, etc. Or do cold cuts ... just the meat & cheese with selection of wheat crackers, fruit, and drink.

This Midtown ATL mom, deeply immersed in Camp Mommy 2008 with her preschool and early grade school kids, enjoys your blog!

[Sherri Caldwell]

Thanks, Holly -- great to hear from you! Excellent suggestions, too. I've got to try hummus with the kids. See, peanut butter was our standard on any shape, size, texture or flavor base. He's not big on cold cuts or meat, but he does like cheese, so we'll try variations with that, along with alternative nut butters (sunflower, cashew, almond, etc.) -- who knew?!

I am very happy you are enjoying the blog, and look forward to hearing from you -- all best with your Camp Mommy summer adventure!!

[Danielle]

As a parent of 2 out of 3 children with peanut allergies, I say this is a very difficult situation. But, my daughter was just 2 and a half yo when her brothers were diagnosed with peanut allergies. She ate peanut butter everyday. I switched to "Sunbutter" without a hitch. It smells and tastes ALLOT like peanut butter.She loved it from the very first day.

[Danielle]

As a parent of 2 out of 3 children with peanut allergies, I say this is a very difficult situation. But, my daughter was just 2 and a half yo when her brothers were diagnosed with peanut allergies. She ate peanut butter everyday. I switched to "Sunbutter" without a hitch. It smells and tastes ALLOT like peanut butter.She loved it from the very first day.