Little J will be three soon and so he will probably be starting preschool. For me, it’s a mixed feeling kind of thing. Little J is going to love preschool, I just know it! Little J has never had a problem being left with people and usually doesn’t want to go home. 
So I am happy because he will get to make new friends and have fun experiences. On the other hand, it makes me a bit sad because it will be the end of him staying home with me all day. I enjoy hearing him laugh and “talk” all day. I’m going to miss my little guy.
And then there is the elephant in the room. Little J doesn’t speak much and he has life threatening food allergies. He is going to be in a room with a bunch of little kids who have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! It makes me a bit nervous, to say the least. So I thought I would find Little J a medical alert bracelet that he could wear to school. That way his teachers will be reminded of his allergies and if anything happens, they will have his food allergies on hand.
My DH, on the other hand, thinks I am being overprotective. He doesn’t want Little J to stick out. I understand not wanting Little J to be the “different” child in the class, but I also think it is important to keep everyone constantly informed. Neither of us wants Little J to have a reaction at school.
Maybe I am being overprotective. But I am just trying to keep Little J safe….what do you think?? Overprotective or safe?
You are asking the wrong mom (well, maybe you are asking the right one, if you want to win the argument) — I’m so scared to send my son to a room full of sandwiches that I’m going to homeschool through the preschool years. He’s allergic to wheat, milk, 4 different tree nuts, egg, and sesame. I just don’t trust anyone else to care enough to protect him as diligently as I will. That was the long answer. The short answer: get the bracelet, but make it a cool one.
I used to have a link saved somewhere with a comparison of all sorts of fun sporty designs for kids. (I haven’t bought one yet, but I keep meaning to. So far I just never leave him!).
You are being safe=0) Also make sure that you speak to the director of the preschool (I am sure you already have) about any allergens that set off a severe reaction. Some preschools make it “peanut free” for those exact reasons. Good luck, and never second guess your gut instinct, especially when it comes to your child.
Take care,
Tracie
well I go through similiar issues with my toddler. I think it is better to always be safe when it comes to life threatening allergies. The bracelets do not stand out too much and really I think that the other teachers, parents and teachers somewhere along the line will need to on some level know about his allergies. From another perspective all children are also different and if our childrens differences mean that their lives could be in dangerI think we can be forgiven for being a little too “protective at times. We HAVE to prtect our children until they are old enough to do it for themselves right? x
I didn’t mean to say teachers tice, I meant to say the other children as well!