I was very upset to read the article Banning Peanut Butter in the Schools is Simply Nutty.

I have a touch, smell and ingestion peanut allergic child. It is opinions and documents of this degree that is hindering my ability to have schools even consider banning of peanut products. A peanut butter sandwich across the room, on a bathroom facet or door left behind by another child going to wash their hands is deadly to my child. Not just eating peanuts.

The answer to banning peanuts is not just in banning the product. It still requires diligence from teachers, students, parents and everyone in the school to be aware. Check lunches and snacks. Teach the allergic child, staff, students and parents about the allergy. Making sure that the allergic child only eats foods provide from home. This article basically allows or accuses everyone will be lazy. Banning alone is not the answer - I agree. Why can't schools ban and educate on this issue?

My daughter attended a peanut free school. Then we had to relocate. All measures were 100% completed. Education, diligence on checking products, education, education, education. At the same time they still banned it. No one became lazy on this issue. It was 100% proactive.

we had from my point 99% compliance with this. Yes the odd thing would slip threw - but it was caught. My child was taught about her allergy. She knows to read labels and what to be aware of.. Everyone brought there own lunch and snacks. Sharing was discouraged. When taught openly and honestly my allergic child and many more that I do know do not feel "different" . resentment??? Once the children found out that it was my daughter that had the allergy - they wanted her alive to play with more than and peanut butter sandwich. I was very active at gathering information and providing it to anyone who wanted answer to questions. It is parents role on educating the child. Teaching them what they can and cannot do. An allergic child should always be aware and be prepared for the "real world" but they should also know that there are people out there that care enough to help keep them safe.

I was informed by one school that if her allergy is that severe I should home school. This answer to the type of allergy my daughter has 100% makes her different and alone. Banning peanuts is not about taking a short cut. It is one further step to protect the children with this allergy.

Does my child or one with this severe allergy have to die in order to go to school? Or be force into homeschooling because the school system will not take it seriously? I am facing an unfair battle because of ignorance from others and a laziness on the schools part to deal with this issue.

I am facing an unfair battle because some people like who wrote that article are not fully educated themselves on allergies and think they do and write articles like this. Peanut allergies are on the rise. If schools, daycares, airlines and other institutions fail to see the seriousness of this children will die. Simple as that

Banning peanuts - Simply nutty or simply deadly.

Jennifer