Back to school represents a lot of emotions for parents who have to tame a world they don't control as they would sometimes like to do!
Like every year, we are invited to the parents' meeting to meet our children's teacher to learn about his philosophy and teaching methods.
For the third time, I was lucky to have Mrs. Jacynthe as my first grade teacher. During the meeting, I was a little lost in my head since the speech was known to me. Do you have any questions, said Madame Jacinthe! A mother raises her hand and firmly asks what the procedure will be for her son who is allergic to kiwis, potatoes, lactose and peanuts.
The teacher then claims that the children are not allowed to have peanuts in their lunchbox and that they will wash their hands with wet towels after meals. The mother replies that since the children work as a team, it would be better if all allergens for her son were banned and that she, the teacher, must make sure that everyone washes their hands properly unless they ban work. team!
I don't need to tell you that there ishad a little tension in the class since all children have their particularities and each parent can have requests. With these words, I THOUGHT OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS! I pointed out to the mother that there were over 500 students in the school and they all go to the same bathroom and all take the same door to get there! That the school is a mini-society and that she, the mother, must empower her son to take the necessary precautions for HIS he alth.
Coming home, I continued my reflection with my husband: am I insensitive? For my part, I believe in empowering our children! School procedures cannot be compared to daycare procedures. It is much easier to manage allergies in daycare since there is a cook who takes care of all the food that goes in and out of the daycare. I believe in trusting older children because they know their allergies and know better than anyone what they are allowed to eat. If we take away all the foods kids are allergic to, we'd only eat apples?
Isn't it a parent's responsibility to educate their child to take care of themselves?
For my part, I have come to the conclusion that we must empower our children and stop holding the whole world responsible for our hurts.
I already know that some will say to themselves: “Her children certainly do not have allergies. “Which is true, I have this chance. On the other hand, my children experience otherdifferences.
My daughter is hyperactive and she has a responsibility in her routine to take her pill and limit her sugar intake during the week. I'm not going to ban all parents from bringing a birthday cake to class because my daughter won't be able to concentrate or force all students to drink water because my daughter can't drink juice! Alexane knows what she can't eat or drink, and she lives very well with that, because I empowered her and she understands the consequences very well! She eats sweets when she knows she can move, laugh and burn off all her extra energy.
What do you think?
