Please don’t let your children eat common allergens while playing on public playground equipment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s such a small and easy thing to not eat common allergens in shared spaces. The “don’t tell me what to eat” people sound like entitled 4 year old brats. Do you think OP *likes* having to think about what everyone around her kid is eating?

I had never met a kid who had food allergies before moving here recently. The vast majority of foods are “common allergens.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a death sentence for my NK. There is already so much she has to miss out on in life due to a severe anaphylactic allergy to peanuts.

I’m not saying your kid can’t go to the park and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a picnic. Wash their hands, etc. But having your kid run around on the equipment with a bag of Bamba’s leaving peanut oil residue on every surface means we can no longer play.

And I do understand we live in a “I, me and mine” society where it’s ok if not encouraged to get yours and do what you want because how your actions effect others isn’t your problem. I understand. I’m sad, that’s not how I’m raising my kids but I get that’s a key American value especially in dog eat dog D.C. but can we just try to have a little concern for others?

So why didn't you just ask the adult with that kid to put it away? Or just snatch it away as advised by the deranged allergy parent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a death sentence for my NK. There is already so much she has to miss out on in life due to a severe anaphylactic allergy to peanuts.

I’m not saying your kid can’t go to the park and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a picnic. Wash their hands, etc. But having your kid run around on the equipment with a bag of Bamba’s leaving peanut oil residue on every surface means we can no longer play.

And I do understand we live in a “I, me and mine” society where it’s ok if not encouraged to get yours and do what you want because how your actions effect others isn’t your problem. I understand. I’m sad, that’s not how I’m raising my kids but I get that’s a key American value especially in dog eat dog D.C. but can we just try to have a little concern for others?

You’re the one who doesn’t care that some kids are severely sensitive eaters and that peanut foods might be all they’ll eat.

Does being a sensitive eater also prevent a kid from eating in their stroller or sitting on a park bench?

They can sit wherever they want.

I think there is a psychosomatic element to all these “allergies.”

If a child is capable of sitting down to eat, then why do you let them run around on the playground with food?

What’s the difference? You’re going to see people walking down the sidewalk downtown while eating a kind bar. What are you going to do about it?

Two entirely different things. I can teach my kid to walk down the sidewalk without touching you, or picking up things you drop, or touching surfaces. And many parents of kids with allergies do teach their kid to do this.

I can also wipe down a park bench before my kid sits there, or have my kid sit in their stroller instead of on the bench.

But I can't wipe down an entire playground or teach my kid to climb the ladder on the playground, or go down the fireman's pole, or slide on the slide without touching those surfaces. Because I am not a magician. So, keeping peanut residue (or whatever, my kid with anaphylaxis has a different allergy) off those surfaces that are designed to be touched by multiple children makes sense.

And yes, there are treatments now, but they aren't for every kid, and even when they are available to a kid they take years, during which the kid is still vulnerable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a death sentence for my NK. There is already so much she has to miss out on in life due to a severe anaphylactic allergy to peanuts.

I’m not saying your kid can’t go to the park and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a picnic. Wash their hands, etc. But having your kid run around on the equipment with a bag of Bamba’s leaving peanut oil residue on every surface means we can no longer play.

And I do understand we live in a “I, me and mine” society where it’s ok if not encouraged to get yours and do what you want because how your actions effect others isn’t your problem. I understand. I’m sad, that’s not how I’m raising my kids but I get that’s a key American value especially in dog eat dog D.C. but can we just try to have a little concern for others?

You’re the one who doesn’t care that some kids are severely sensitive eaters and that peanut foods might be all they’ll eat.

Does being a sensitive eater also prevent a kid from eating in their stroller or sitting on a park bench?

They can sit wherever they want.

I think there is a psychosomatic element to all these “allergies.”

If a child is capable of sitting down to eat, then why do you let them run around on the playground with food?

What’s the difference? You’re going to see people walking down the sidewalk downtown while eating a kind bar. What are you going to do about it?

Two entirely different things. I can teach my kid to walk down the sidewalk without touching you, or picking up things you drop, or touching surfaces. And many parents of kids with allergies do teach their kid to do this.

I can also wipe down a park bench before my kid sits there, or have my kid sit in their stroller instead of on the bench.

But I can't wipe down an entire playground or teach my kid to climb the ladder on the playground, or go down the fireman's pole, or slide on the slide without touching those surfaces. Because I am not a magician. So, keeping peanut residue (or whatever, my kid with anaphylaxis has a different allergy) off those surfaces that are designed to be touched by multiple children makes sense.

And yes, there are treatments now, but they aren't for every kid, and even when they are available to a kid they take years, during which the kid is still vulnerable.

Omg, just build a playset in your backyard and keep your kid at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a death sentence for my NK. There is already so much she has to miss out on in life due to a severe anaphylactic allergy to peanuts.

I’m not saying your kid can’t go to the park and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a picnic. Wash their hands, etc. But having your kid run around on the equipment with a bag of Bamba’s leaving peanut oil residue on every surface means we can no longer play.

And I do understand we live in a “I, me and mine” society where it’s ok if not encouraged to get yours and do what you want because how your actions effect others isn’t your problem. I understand. I’m sad, that’s not how I’m raising my kids but I get that’s a key American value especially in dog eat dog D.C. but can we just try to have a little concern for others?

You’re the one who doesn’t care that some kids are severely sensitive eaters and that peanut foods might be all they’ll eat.

Does being a sensitive eater also prevent a kid from eating in their stroller or sitting on a park bench?

They can sit wherever they want.

I think there is a psychosomatic element to all these “allergies.”

If a child is capable of sitting down to eat, then why do you let them run around on the playground with food?

What’s the difference? You’re going to see people walking down the sidewalk downtown while eating a kind bar. What are you going to do about it?

Two entirely different things. I can teach my kid to walk down the sidewalk without touching you, or picking up things you drop, or touching surfaces. And many parents of kids with allergies do teach their kid to do this.

I can also wipe down a park bench before my kid sits there, or have my kid sit in their stroller instead of on the bench.

But I can't wipe down an entire playground or teach my kid to climb the ladder on the playground, or go down the fireman's pole, or slide on the slide without touching those surfaces. Because I am not a magician. So, keeping peanut residue (or whatever, my kid with anaphylaxis has a different allergy) off those surfaces that are designed to be touched by multiple children makes sense.

And yes, there are treatments now, but they aren't for every kid, and even when they are available to a kid they take years, during which the kid is still vulnerable.

It doesn't really make sense. You have no idea if the kid who was there 5 minutes before you ate his PB&J at home before going down the slide and had some PB residue on his face that eventually got on his hands and everything else he touched. The obvious answer is to avoid public parks b/c you can't sterilize the park for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a death sentence for my NK. There is already so much she has to miss out on in life due to a severe anaphylactic allergy to peanuts.

I’m not saying your kid can’t go to the park and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a picnic. Wash their hands, etc. But having your kid run around on the equipment with a bag of Bamba’s leaving peanut oil residue on every surface means we can no longer play.

And I do understand we live in a “I, me and mine” society where it’s ok if not encouraged to get yours and do what you want because how your actions effect others isn’t your problem. I understand. I’m sad, that’s not how I’m raising my kids but I get that’s a key American value especially in dog eat dog D.C. but can we just try to have a little concern for others?

You’re the one who doesn’t care that some kids are severely sensitive eaters and that peanut foods might be all they’ll eat.

Does being a sensitive eater also prevent a kid from eating in their stroller or sitting on a park bench?

They can sit wherever they want.

I think there is a psychosomatic element to all these “allergies.”

If a child is capable of sitting down to eat, then why do you let them run around on the playground with food?

What’s the difference? You’re going to see people walking down the sidewalk downtown while eating a kind bar. What are you going to do about it?

Two entirely different things. I can teach my kid to walk down the sidewalk without touching you, or picking up things you drop, or touching surfaces. And many parents of kids with allergies do teach their kid to do this.

I can also wipe down a park bench before my kid sits there, or have my kid sit in their stroller instead of on the bench.

But I can't wipe down an entire playground or teach my kid to climb the ladder on the playground, or go down the fireman's pole, or slide on the slide without touching those surfaces. Because I am not a magician. So, keeping peanut residue (or whatever, my kid with anaphylaxis has a different allergy) off those surfaces that are designed to be touched by multiple children makes sense.

And yes, there are treatments now, but they aren't for every kid, and even when they are available to a kid they take years, during which the kid is still vulnerable.

I get what you’re asking. But you won’t get it. Severe allergies like this aren’t common enough for people to change their behavior. So you have to act like every surface has peanut residue on it, because it might. That’s your burden. It’s unfair, but that’s reality. Posting on DCUM won’t change that you can’t know what is on the ladder. Your anxiety needs a different outlet (or better yet, acceptance).

[Anonymous]

I once had a toddler tug on my skirt thinking I was his mom. It wasn't until much later that I realized his hands must have had peanut butter on them and I had probably inadvertently gotten it on every surface I sat on that day.

[Anonymous]

When my kids were playground age I never let them have nut butters on a playground. It just seems a common courtesy. They can have it at home plenty; they don't "need" it for a snack outside. I'm sorry your kid has such severe allergies, it must be terrifying

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were playground age I never let them have nut butters on a playground. It just seems a common courtesy. They can have it at home plenty; they don't "need" it for a snack outside. I'm sorry your kid has such severe allergies, it must be terrifying

Why stop at ON the playground? If the nut allergy is so deadly that whatever is eaten at home can find it's way to the park, then OP really needs a complete ban on these foods. Because the magical thinking that the park equipment is clean as long as nobody is currently eating peanut products while ON the equipment is bizarre and nonsensical and sounds dangerous to kids like OPs child. Why risk the park at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait until your child gets to elementary school, high school, college and the work world. Are you going to tell your child’s roommates they can’t eat almonds?

NP: If my child didn't respond to that situation with "okay, just tell me what I need to do to help you stay safe" I would feel that I failed as a parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were playground age I never let them have nut butters on a playground. It just seems a common courtesy. They can have it at home plenty; they don't "need" it for a snack outside. I'm sorry your kid has such severe allergies, it must be terrifying

Why stop at ON the playground? If the nut allergy is so deadly that whatever is eaten at home can find it's way to the park, then OP really needs a complete ban on these foods. Because the magical thinking that the park equipment is clean as long as nobody is currently eating peanut products while ON the equipment is bizarre and nonsensical and sounds dangerous to kids like OPs child. Why risk the park at all?

This is so moronic. I don't get why you PPs are so triggered. Someone's kid could die. She's asking for courtesy and awareness. You lose your mind bc someone asked you to be considerate. You create an outlandish hypothetical about banning peanuts. Other PPs bemoan the loss of FREEDOM. It's a MF nut. It's not the end all be all. No one is asking for a ban, just awareness of the other kids who could die from it.

Though given how hard it was to get folks to mask during COVID when millions died, I understand that asking for courtesy for children with allergies is next to impossible

I'm just in constant awe and what total self absorbed jerks Americans are. We're really freaking terrible to each other.

Says the people gambling with their kids life to go to a park.

children with allergies deserve to go outdoors and try to lead a healthy, active life. The fact that they bother you so much that you want them removed from society says so much about you.

You are not a good person. I mean, who is that awful to small children??

[Anonymous]

I’d rather just take my kids to McDonalds than pack lunch anyway. I’ll wait for my Nobel over here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were playground age I never let them have nut butters on a playground. It just seems a common courtesy. They can have it at home plenty; they don't "need" it for a snack outside. I'm sorry your kid has such severe allergies, it must be terrifying

Why stop at ON the playground? If the nut allergy is so deadly that whatever is eaten at home can find it's way to the park, then OP really needs a complete ban on these foods. Because the magical thinking that the park equipment is clean as long as nobody is currently eating peanut products while ON the equipment is bizarre and nonsensical and sounds dangerous to kids like OPs child. Why risk the park at all?

This is so moronic. I don't get why you PPs are so triggered. Someone's kid could die. She's asking for courtesy and awareness. You lose your mind bc someone asked you to be considerate. You create an outlandish hypothetical about banning peanuts. Other PPs bemoan the loss of FREEDOM. It's a MF nut. It's not the end all be all. No one is asking for a ban, just awareness of the other kids who could die from it.

Though given how hard it was to get folks to mask during COVID when millions died, I understand that asking for courtesy for children with allergies is next to impossible

I'm just in constant awe and what total self absorbed jerks Americans are. We're really freaking terrible to each other.

Says the people gambling with their kids life to go to a park.

[Anonymous]

I can't get past people's apparent need to have their children eating 24/7.

I was taught never to eat in front of other children, when I was a child, and I don't let my kids do so. They haven't withered away from starvation yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were playground age I never let them have nut butters on a playground. It just seems a common courtesy. They can have it at home plenty; they don't "need" it for a snack outside. I'm sorry your kid has such severe allergies, it must be terrifying

Why stop at ON the playground? If the nut allergy is so deadly that whatever is eaten at home can find it's way to the park, then OP really needs a complete ban on these foods. Because the magical thinking that the park equipment is clean as long as nobody is currently eating peanut products while ON the equipment is bizarre and nonsensical and sounds dangerous to kids like OPs child. Why risk the park at all?

This is so moronic. I don't get why you PPs are so triggered. Someone's kid could die. She's asking for courtesy and awareness. You lose your mind bc someone asked you to be considerate. You create an outlandish hypothetical about banning peanuts. Other PPs bemoan the loss of FREEDOM. It's a MF nut. It's not the end all be all. No one is asking for a ban, just awareness of the other kids who could die from it.

Though given how hard it was to get folks to mask during COVID when millions died, I understand that asking for courtesy for children with allergies is next to impossible

I'm just in constant awe and what total self absorbed jerks Americans are. We're really freaking terrible to each other.

Says the people gambling with their kids life to go to a park.

children with allergies deserve to go outdoors and try to lead a healthy, active life. The fact that they bother you so much that you want them removed from society says so much about you.

You are not a good person. I mean, who is that awful to small children??

You're either massively overstating the risk of death to your kid or you're an unserious parent who doesn't take the allergy seriously. Pick one. Because continuing to take the chance makes you a pretty shitty parent.