How To Handle Kids At Banquets

[confused]

Ok my son is helping out at a tournament on wednesday and they want me to send 5 bucks for an buffet. It will be at the college. Should i call ahead and see if they can accomadte him, or jsut pack him a lunch. Then next week he is getting an award for reading an million words, and it will be at an banquet. I will be there or my husband, only 2 people can go and i have no sitter or just one of us will go. But should i call ahead for that also. Or just tell my husband how to handle stuff. Plus how do i go around in telling them. Do i need an note or do you think places will just accomodate me anyway. I am really stressed already about these 2 things., So any help would be appreciated.

paula

[Ursa Major]

Paula, for the tournament I would just send a lunch, and some money to buy drinks. It will be easier for everybody, and you'll have peace of mind about what your son eats.

The banquet is trickier. Try to find out who is in charge of that, and see if you can talk to that person. If they don't seem to understand, you might need to send his food again. I would never count on anybody being willing or able to accommodate the gluten-free diet. It depends on who is in charge. If you don't want your son to be miserable at the banquet, in case there is nothing to eat, you better make sure he won't go hungry somehow.

[Eriella]

There will be little to nothing for him to eat at a college buffet and the cc is a nightmare; however, you cannot bring in outside food. I would send him with both a lunch to eat before he gets there and then money so he can be part of the crowd and get ice cream or something.

As far as a banquet, have fun. I had great luck last weekend at the one which served prime rib and grilled veggies and horrible luck at the one with an italian buffet. My mom's advice was eat a small meal before you go and eat what you can.

Good Luck!

[happygirl]

Bring your own food.

[Juliebove]

For sure call ahead of time and find out what they will be serving and if they can accommodate him. If it were me, I'd find a way to go and not let my husband handle things. But then I don't know how your husband is. Mine doesn't understand things like cross contamination or that there might be things that are not visible. He will see chicken and think... She's not allergic to chicken! He will never stop to think that it might be prepared with something she is allergic to. In our case we have more to watch out for than gluten.

[confused]

He will be at the college from 8-3. So he cant eat lunch before he goes. Today when I sign his permission slip I am going to ask the one in charge to call me today, and see what we can set up for him. I am sure if they cant accomodate him, they will let me send him a lunch. I spent 6 yrs at this college, so they better lol.

I was going to let my husband go to the banquet with him, since I am only the step-mom. But i did talk to my mom last night and she said she would try to come watch the other kids, so I can go to. But I am still afraid to eat out. I havent been brave enough to do that even for myself yet.

He cant have ice cream either, he is casein intolerant. I hate that he has to go to places like this and not do what all the other kids are doing, it breaks my heart. Even last night he went to a friends house and stayed for dinner. But the mom was aware of the circumsances and made him steak and stuff that was safe for him to eat.

paula

[Ursa Major]

I was going to let my husband go to the banquet with him, since I am only the step-mom. But i did talk to my mom last night and she said she would try to come watch the other kids, so I can go to. But I am still afraid to eat out. I havent been brave enough to do that even for myself yet.

Paula, you shouldn't think you are 'only' the step mom! If you are raising him, and love him to the best of your ability, and he loves you, you have every right to be there!

If both of you are going, and you both have celiac disease, that is double the reason to call and make it work.

[gfgypsyqueen]

I would call ahead and talk to the food manager or the chef. I would talk to them in a way that makes it clear, they will accomodate your child or you will be bringing all the food you want with you. They can't tell you not to bring food if they cannot provide safe food. (And I am not sure I would trust them to provide safe food, but that is just me ) If necessary get a note from the doctor stating a medically necessary diet and then pack your foods. I have been known to bring hot baked potatoes and diced BBQ chicken to restaurants when I have to go and have no idea if I can eat anything there. I pack ice cream and desserts too. I always bring my own sauces.

The way I look at it is the event is to celebrate something your son did and that is the reason you are going, not the food, so just handle it matter of factly.

BTW: I think it is kinda cool that you have celiacs and so does your step son. What a neat way to bond and connect. My kids have allergies and I have Celiacs, so they see me enforcing the correct way to handle our food issues every day. And yes, we have our battle about it too.

[confused]

Paula, you shouldn't think you are 'only' the step mom! If you are raising him, and love him to the best of your ability, and he loves you, you have every right to be there!

If both of you are going, and you both have celiac disease, that is double the reason to call and make it work.

Oh i know ursa. I am his mom in every way possible. Its just sometimes i try to take a small step backwards, and if its possible I let hubby do some of the important stuff by himself. I am ussually the one that does every little thing for him. He hasnt seen his bio mom since last july and she is only a few hours away. One of the reasons why his celiac came out full force.

I did just get an babysitter for the night of the banquet, so hubby and I will both be going. I placed an call into the place having the banquet, and I hope they call me back soon. Im thinking since 2 of us are celiac they will try to be accomadating. I have to pay 10 bucks an person, no matter if we eat or not, so they better accomodate us lol.

I also added an note to the permission slip for the buffet at the knowledge bowl, and hope they call me back today. There wasnt a person on the slip to call, or i would have done that. I am really thinking i will probably have to send him some lunch, i really dont see how an buffet will be safe, unless i can get them to make his ahead of time.

thanks all for your help

paula

[Nantzie]

Most of the time, even if there are "rules" in place for not letting people bring it outside food, they will allow people with medical diets bring in outside food. The rules are really in place so some dork doesn't bring in Taco Bell or McDonalds. If you don't get a call back, I'd give him a note to take with him saying he's on a medically restricted diet and can only eat food specially prepared for him, and include your phone number for any questions.

As for the banquet, catering companies are usually aware of celiac, but sometimes only vaguely. You have to verify that they know what they're doing, but it shouldn't be a huge surprise to them.

Nancy