Reply #212: I agree. Kids can be made to feel special because

[DemBones DemBones]

they get to eat in a special area, rather than being made to feel excluded. Their health has to come first so separating them from others at lunchtime and snacktime is the best solution, eliminating any chance of accidents.

They will be dealing with the allergy for many, many years and have to accept that most people eat and enjoy peanuts and peanut butter but they can't. It is an unfair restriction on the others to forbid them to eat what they like. Some kids want peanut butter sandwiches every day, won't eat anything else. What are they supposed to do?

There is no perfect solution but if I had a child who was allergic to peanuts, I'd prefer s/he not eat with classmates. Keeping the allergic child safe is more important than keeping him/her in the group at all times. The kids are together in class and at recess so isolation at lunch isn't going to be terrible, especially if there are other kids eating with him and/or if a teacher or aide spends time with the child(ren.) Extra attention from adults is usually appreciated by kids.