Back to School---Non-hair post

Next Monday my five-year old enters Kindergarten.  She has a bit longer of a day since she is in a language immersion program.  The longer day also means lunches at school.  For most kids, this isn't a problem and is super exciting!  For us it's a little bit different.

Our sweet Sophie has a peanut/treenut and a venom bite allergy.  Eating in the lunchroom and playing on the playground are enough to send her into anaphylaxis.  Even though the lunchroom and playground staff, teachers and administration are all trained on how to handle her allergies if such an incident occurs, it's still enough to make my heart beat in my throat until I pick her up from school.

And then there is the friend issue.  I am really hoping that she finds a friend whose parents will send to school with a non-nut lunch.  I hope they won't be nervous about inviting her to playdates and birthday parties.  A mom's worst nightmare is a lonely or targeted child at school.  

In an effort to make our family more aware (a well-meaning grandparent tried to give her Cracker Jacks not realizing the top ingredient was peanuts) my husband made this little video.  

If there are any other allergy moms and kids out there in hairland sending their babies off to the first day of school, best wishes and good luck to you!  If you have any suggestions or advice for me due to your experiences, I'd love to hear it!

~Stephanie