Dd Feeling Bad About Having Different Snacks

[kbdy]

My dd (3.5) was dx'd about 5mths ago & has started preschool. They have snack each time & dd brings her own gluten-free snack. At first she was doing ok w/this, until another child had a birthday & brought in treats that she couldn't have.

I do have a stash at the school of treats she can have if there is a birthday, so she did get a treat, but not the pink frosted sugar cookie that was oh so tempting.

The school is working with me about informing me of celebrations prior to the day they happen, so I can try to help dd understand. But, right now she comes home crying every day b/c she wants to have the same things the other kids do.

How do I help her cope w/this? I've told her that maybe the other kids wish they could have a special snack like she does, but she just wants those darn teddy grahams or whatever gluten they are having

[Guhlia]

Perhaps she could go shopping with you and pick out her own gluten free snacks. Then they'll be special to her.

[dandelionmom]

We had this problem at a wedding. We had a gluten free cupcake but it wasn't a piece of the big, gorgeous wedding cake. It broke my heart.

My daughter just started 3 year old preschool too. We haven't had a birthday treat to deal with yet. Unfortunately, I don't think there is much we can do about treat envy besides making sure they have a really great substitute (an even BIGGER pink frosted cookie with sprinkles or a full sized bag of M&Ms).

[gdobson]

I hate it when kids feel left out. One of my son's teachers was really good about the class treat thing. She actually assigned each child in advance the day that they could bring in birthday treats. That way I had it on my calendar far in advance. Then she asked the moms what she was bringing and let me know so I could send in something similar. If the other kids were having chocolate cupcakes, then so was my son : ). The same was done for class parties. Room mothers would tell me what they were bringing in so I would send in something similar but marked for my son. It worked out very well.

[Nikki'smom]

I am so sorry your DD is having a rough time with snacks1 It has to be hard for her. But you ahve to know you have taight her well i bet alot of kids would ahve given in and had some.

I like the idea of maybe the parents can let you know ahead of time so that you can bring the same or simalar item in for your dd. I iknow that is what I am trying to do with my dd.

[gfpaperdoll]

the beauty of gluten free baked goods is that they freeze very well. You can freeze chocolate cupcakes - un-iced & lemon bars, & brownies etc- you can make powdered sugar frosting very quickly & keep a supply of food coloring on hand & all types of sprinkles. I will say I am not sure about freezing cookies, we never had any left to freeze... You can also frost brownies with any color of frosting & add sprinkles. When my grandchildren were gluten free we had a whole tub of sprinkles that got put on everything - the kids loved them.

In your daughters case, I would have sent a huge pink cookie with sprinkles as her snack for the next day.