Would/have you taken a child with severe peanut allergy?

When my son was small he had a friend who had a peanut/nut allergy so I suppose I feel comfortable with it because that little guy never had any bad reactions in all the years he and my son have been friends (25 years now!) because his parents taught him how to be careful.

I wouldn't. I'd feel awful, and would probably have a hard time saying no, but I'd have to. We are a peanut butter family, my son eats it in the morning probably 3/7 days a week, we usually eat pb&j once a week with the kids, and my husband often packs the same for lunch at work. I couldn't handle the life-or-death worry about it.

But if we didn't eat it in such excessive amounts, I might be willing. Depends on what you currently do, and your comfort level.

I don't offer a nut free environment at this point, and will not accept a severe nut allergy.

My own son is severely dairy intolerant and we use almond milk as his milk alternative. I am very used to avoiding cross-contamination of foods, but I can't guarantee that between his milk and the fact that kids are not the neatest eaters that I can maintain a nut-free environement.

Ironically enough, after turning down a family for an interview based on peanut allergy, I now have to carry an epi-pen after a possible peanut reaction after years of eating them. Go figure! Even if care providers don't accept children with severe allergies, all care providers should be prepared to deal with a reaction, as they can happen at any time.

I think one of the best environments a family can find if they want home care and have a child with allergies / intolerances is to find a care provider with the same allergies in their home. The care provider will be knowledgeable about possible hidden allergy sources, not have to alter current menus, and be fully comfortable dealing with that particular allergy.

My 3 year old is allergic to peanuts so I have no problem. Both my husband and I eat peanut butter. If you are at all uncomfortable then you must not accept this child.

FYI peanut allergy is probably the easiest food allergy to control. By law, all packaged food must declare peanut content or if product may have come in contact with peanuts. Milk and egg are much harder to deal with as they really change your menu.

Also....there is no such thing as a mild nut allergy. A reaction may be mild but there is no way to tell. The next reaction may be anaphalactic or you may never have a bad reaction.