| Sending a child with Celiac's disease or gluten | | | | the situations they may face at school, and how |
| sensitivity off to school can be a really daunting | | | | they should deal with them. If they are prepared |
| prospect for any parent. Up until then you have | | | | for the fact that children might want to swap |
| been able to keep a close eye on their diet, and | | | | food at lunchtime, and know how to refuse |
| you know exactly what passes their lips. Suddenly | | | | politely, there will be less opportunity for upsets |
| your child will be away from you for a whole day, | | | | and misunderstanding. |
| including lunch and snack times, and thinking about | | | | 4. Give the teacher gluten-free treats for special |
| what they might accidentally eat is driving you | | | | occasions |
| crazy. Here are a few tips to help your child avoid | | | | At the start of term, make sure your child's |
| foods that contain gluten when they go to school. | | | | teacher has a stash of long lasting gluten-free |
| 1. Talk to your kid's teachers before school starts | | | | treats to give your child on occasions when the |
| The best time to schedule a meeting with your | | | | other kids are eating cakes, cookies or other |
| child's teachers is the few days before term | | | | foods that contain gluten. In these situations it's |
| starts, when they will be at work getting their | | | | hard to get away from the fact that your child is |
| lesson plans ready, but they won't be distracted | | | | different, but at least they will have something |
| by hundreds of kids running around. Provide as | | | | tasty to eat and won't be tempted to try foods |
| much information as you can about your child's | | | | that contain gluten. |
| condition, the consequences of them accidentally | | | | 5. Take in gluten-free treats for the whole class |
| eating something containing gluten, and the hidden | | | | on your child's birthday |
| dangers of substances like play dough. Provide | | | | If taking in birthday treats for the class is the |
| leaflets for them to pass to other teachers who | | | | norm in your child's school, then they shouldn't be |
| might be looking after your child. | | | | any different. There are plenty of well known |
| 2. See if the school can accommodate their needs | | | | candies that don't contain gluten. You may be |
| at lunchtime | | | | tempted to bake a birthday cake using |
| It might be tempting to send your child to school | | | | gluten-free flour, but your child's classmates may |
| with their own gluten-free packed lunch, but if the | | | | not be used to the unusual taste, and if they |
| rest of the kids have school meals, this is just | | | | don't like it your child may get upset or |
| going to draw attention to your child's condition | | | | embarrassed |
| and may make them feel left out or | | | | 6. Don't get upset when people forget to provide |
| uncomfortable. Most schools are used to dealing | | | | for your child |
| with food intolerances or allergies. Give them a | | | | There will undoubtedly be occasions when your |
| chance to provide gluten-free meals before you | | | | child's teachers, or other moms, forget to provide |
| resort to sending in your own packed lunch. | | | | gluten-free foods for your child. Don't let this |
| 3. Give your child responsibility for their diet | | | | upset you, as you will only pass on your anger |
| You may think your child is too young to | | | | and frustration to your child. Nobody is willfully |
| determine what they can or cannot eat, but you | | | | trying to feed your child something that will make |
| will be surprised what they do understand, even | | | | them ill; they have just forgotten or don't fully |
| at the age of three or four. Your child will | | | | understand about Celiac's disease. |
| appreciate it if you talk honestly to them about | | | | |