Peanut Allergy

My daughter had her first reaction to peanuts at 13 months.  This was one of my biggest fears and when it came to fruition I was terrified.  Since her diagnosis of having a severe, anaphylactic allergy we have spent a lot of time educating ourselves on the topic.  There are so many things to worry about already so throwing a life-threatening allergy into the mix made me neurotic.  The prevalence of peanut allergies among children today is shocking!  The severity of the reaction to this type of allergy has prompted elementary schools to be peanut-free.   Thank Goodness for that!   Recently, I read a comment by someone that they were "sick and tired" of having to watch what they pack in their children's lunches just because there are children with nut allergies at the school.  I was horrified!  I quickly realized that unless you are faced with the anxiety everyday that your child could die from a life-threatening allergy you cannot possibly understand.  This person mentioned that children should not be taught that society will revolve around them and their allergies.  I agree with this to a certain extent.  My husband and I decided early on that we would make our daughter as responsible as possible for her own allergy.  Ultimately, she is the one that can protect herself the best!  That being said, she has only just turned 4.   Therefore, any help from the school by simply being nut-free is an enormous comfort ot us.   What ever happened to the saying "It takes a village to raise a child"? 

http://www.peanutallergy.com/