William Gaatjes
Lifer
- May 11, 2008
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TLDR: This is a rant about horrible parenting.
I understand the special snowflake rule when it comes to parenting, and no my kids aren't special snowflakes. I try to teach my kids as best as possible how to take care of themselves because this world is a shithole and frankly all of you people are just plain assholes and my kids will need to deal with you one day. We do the best we can and we don't live in a bubble. But for god's sake people, teach your kids to not be assholes.
Both of my boys have nut allergies. The severity thankfully isn't terrible (that we know of), but like any food allergy that could change at the drop of a hat. Epi-pens are carried or available where needed, so there's that. But what matters is that people around them just don't care. In fact, it seems that once it's known that someone has an allergy to something they become a target.
My little guy came home this week and told us that one of his classmates said he wanted to bring in some peanuts specifically to "make him sick". He's in second grade so I'm certain this kid didn't fully grasp the situation, and my son being the kind soul he is didn't tell anybody because he doesn't ever want to get anyone in trouble. My wife was obviously furious, and after an email to the teacher which lead to an immediate conference and a meeting with the child and parents, things were cleared up. Once the child realized that such an action could potentially kill my son the kid nearly burst into tears and apologized thinking that it would only make him a bit itchy and stuff. After all, it's an "allergy". Classroom education for the entire 2nd grade on food allergies begins next week.
Let's move on to my 16 year old, who we find out this week hasn't been eating his lunches in the school cafeteria at all because other classmates would go out of their way to bring or buy PB&J or similar items and explicitly sit next to him despite him informing them of his nut allergy. Why the middle- and highschools sell those god awful "uncrustables" is another story in itself, but my son tells us that his classmates make a mess with them - on purpose, trying to get the peanut butter goo on him and whatnot. So my son ends up having to eat his lunch elsewhere these days. I'm not sure where he eats, but it's not with his friends or peers.
Food allergies in school. This is tantamount to bullying, and doing so with a potentially lethal weapon in hand. My kids cope with something that sucks for them, your kids make daily life shitty for them because of it. Teach your kids some respect for other people ffs.
It is just another way of bullying by teenagers for your 16 year old. I am afraid, that a self defense sport is needed. If he cannot reason with them to not take a chance with his health, (for them it is just as sneezing on someone when they would have a cold i expect, idiots indeed) he must kick and punch his message in. Of find some powerful friend who has a kind heart and understands food allergy.