Food allergies

[Rhonda]

Playfelt, with the history I've had with this family in the last 6 months it is hard to say. I can't say it has been smooth sailing. We've had some issues with my illness policy twice, meaning I've sent the child home sick and they have disagreed said child was sick and refused to follow through with my illness policy. Their emails that they send to me during that time were also disrespectful. I would have terminated, but it was more advantage to keep them.

I send the family an email this morning basically saying the precautions I take when serving peanuts, and have always taken with a child under 2, that I wasn't aware they were making changes at home or wanted changes at daycare, because the last time we spoke about peanuts they said they weren't expecting changes and were going to still serve peanuts in their home. I did maybe in a round about way ask what changes they were expecting in daycare, when they knew in advance my daycare wasn't peanut free.

I won't cry to lose the family, I haven't had enough time to get attached to the younger sibling and the older sibling leaves care at the end of Aug, so I've already been preparing myself. I will cry to have an empty space. Depending on how this email goes, I guess will depend on whether the family stays with me. Although, I admit I do not serve peanut products to the daycare often (and never knowingly to a child under 2 without parents permission), I will not become a peanut free home or daycare. Peanut conscience yes but not peanut free. Peanuts are a staple for us and with having 2 teens we don't have to worry about nut free products because nuts are allowed at high school. I know there are peanut alternatives like almond butter, BUT and here is the big but, but I am allergic to tree nut oils, not to ingest (that I'm aware of, but I admit I don't willingly eat tree nuts else than hazelnuts) but I can't touch tree nut oils without breaking out. My skin is on fire at the smallest amount of tree nut oil. I did write in the email that when my hubby is home, I would be willing to test the alternatives, but can't until then.

Crossing my fingers all works out well. But how this will work out, not sure.

Thanks