Birthday parties and children with severe allergies...

For those that had parties outside of their home...if you threw a party (this is at a bounce place) and had children with severe food allergies how did you handle it? Did you feed them or let them bring something?

I have one child who is allergic to a LOT of things - eggs, diary, soy, wheat, apples, nuts etc - and another who is severely allergic (epi pen) to milk and eggs and nuts. The 1st is in DD's preschool and brings her own snacks everywhere - should I ask about providing something for these two or should I figure that their parents will bring something? I have never had this situation so I'm not sure what the correct thing to do is.

Re: Birthday parties and children with severe allergies...

When we host parties I make sure to let the parents of the FA kids know what will be served and since I have to have stuff to feed Andy I let them know what is free of specific allergens. I make sure to tell them that I can provide the packaging if they want to double check the ingredients or they can bring their own stuff if they are more comfortable with that.

When we are attending parties I make sure to let the parents know that we'll bring food & dessert for Andy so they don't have to worry about it. It's easier than admitting I'm a huge control freak about his diet and he doesn't eat anything I can't read a label for.

Re: Birthday parties and children with severe allergies...

There's a great website that all parents of kids with allergies should check out. nIt's got some great tips

http://www.protectallergickids.com/

My son is in a special ed. preschool and there are several kids with severe allergies. I called the parents and told them to do whatever they felt comfortable with - we ended up doing all the "party stuff" first and ended with food/cake - one parent brought their own food (I gave her an idea of what i was serving) and another mom chose to leave right after the games and not eat with us at all - she would have had to clean all the surfaces and that was too much for her.

It's great that you're so thoughtful! Im sure the parents appreciate it.

Re: Birthday parties and children with severe allergies...

What I have found is that most parents of children with specific allergies (especially as severe as you mentioned) will bring their own food (such as gluten free pizza and a cupcake, for example) so the child has something to eat while the other children are eating. If you are able, providing food for them would be great but I am sure it isn't expected

Re: Birthday parties and children with severe allergies...

My DD has egg and dairy allergies. For all the outside parties we have been to, I always bring my own lunch for her. I will also bring a dessert for everyone that I know she can have. Recently I brought munchkins.
I don't feel it is the host's job to worry about my child and what she can and can't eat. I feel it is my job to always be prepared when I go to place that food will be served. I do appreciate it when it is done though.

Chances are the mom's know pizza will be served and they will bring there own food for their child. You could always call them up and ask? I did have a mother do that to me.

Message edited 6/8/2010 10:06:35 PM.

Re: Birthday parties and children with severe allergies...

I asked the mom of one of the kids who came to DS's birthday if there was anything I could give her DS (he's allergic to a lot of stuff). She said she usually brings her own food for him to eat and thought it was nice that I offered. I learned her son likes oreo cookies, so I replaced the food items in his goody bag with oreo snack packs and he was in love!

Re: Birthday parties and children with severe allergies...

Posted by FelAndJon

What I have found is that most parents of children with specific allergies (especially as severe as you mentioned) will bring their own food (such as gluten free pizza and a cupcake, for example) so the child has something to eat while the other children are eating. If you are able, providing food for them would be great but I am sure it isn't expected

Re: Birthday parties and children with severe allergies...

my daughter doesn't have allergies but she's diabetic, I usually ask (after I tell them why of course!) what kind of food is being served and all so i can gauge how to approach it with my dd, so I guess I feel the owness is on the parent of the child often....

Re: Birthday parties and children with severe allergies...

Thank you I will ask them - chances are they will bring something for the kids (they usually do) but I wasn't sure what the etiquette was since I was hosting a party versus just a playdate.

Re: Birthday parties and children with severe allergies...

If I know the child has allergies, I will call or email the parents after the yRSVP to let them know what is being served, and if I can provide anything for them. DD's friend has a severe peanut allergy and I offered to get the kid a cupcake from a peanut free bakery by our house and the mom declined and said she would bring her own, but happy that i offered.