ha98ed14
03-21-2011, 07:02 PM
DD and I take a Mommy 'n Me type class for 3-5 y.o.s through the local school district. It's free and amazingly good quality. The woman who teaches it has been doing these classes for 20+ years, has an early childhood degree and is just awesome at her job.
We have had snacks three times as part of the class: on Valentine's Day and to celebrate President's Day, and "Picnic Day". In addition, different moms have brought cupcakes to pass out after class to celebrate their children's birthdays. In the cases where the snacks were provided by the teacher, she made them herself in her kitchen and wrote on the board (where she posts other class related info) the ingredients in the snacks. She is very aware that some kids have food allergies and makes a point of verbally referring to the ingredient list on the board for moms of kids with allergies.
There is a mom with whom I am very friendly with. Let's call her J. She and I chat often in the class and also when I see her around town. She's smart; she was a teacher before SAHM. Her DD also happens to have a dairy allergy. Whenever we've had snacks provided by the teacher, they've included dairy, wheat, and other potential allergens. Once it was milk in ice cream and another time in frosting. On these days, and when the moms have handed out cupcakes (and who knows what the ingredients were), J removes her daughter from the class in a huff with a prompt declaration of "Child's Name, We need to go now!" It's loud enough for the 3-5 moms in close proximity to hear, but not so loud that the whole class can hear. It is accompanied by deep sighs and eye rolling. It's clear she is displeased.
I can understand this reaction on the birthday cupcake days. We don't have any advance notice. People just show up with cupcakes and pass them out. However, on the three occasions when we've had snacks from the teacher, we were given at least 2 weeks advance notice. (Class is once per week.) J could have brought an alternative snack for her DD. She didn't, which is completely her right. She knows what will work for her child.
The class is large enough that I don't think everyone is aware of her DD's allergy. I know that the teacher is, but she has not offered to change what she makes nor has she offered to bring something in that is dairy-free. So, no accommodation has been offered by the teacher. I don't know if the birthday cupcake moms knew or not. No one has gone out of their way to be sensitive to the issue, but J has not planned ahead on days she knew we were having snacks to bring something her DD could have.
My question is, Do you think the deep sighs, eye rolls, and obvious annoyance/ displeasure are justified?
We have had snacks three times as part of the class: on Valentine's Day and to celebrate President's Day, and "Picnic Day". In addition, different moms have brought cupcakes to pass out after class to celebrate their children's birthdays. In the cases where the snacks were provided by the teacher, she made them herself in her kitchen and wrote on the board (where she posts other class related info) the ingredients in the snacks. She is very aware that some kids have food allergies and makes a point of verbally referring to the ingredient list on the board for moms of kids with allergies.
There is a mom with whom I am very friendly with. Let's call her J. She and I chat often in the class and also when I see her around town. She's smart; she was a teacher before SAHM. Her DD also happens to have a dairy allergy. Whenever we've had snacks provided by the teacher, they've included dairy, wheat, and other potential allergens. Once it was milk in ice cream and another time in frosting. On these days, and when the moms have handed out cupcakes (and who knows what the ingredients were), J removes her daughter from the class in a huff with a prompt declaration of "Child's Name, We need to go now!" It's loud enough for the 3-5 moms in close proximity to hear, but not so loud that the whole class can hear. It is accompanied by deep sighs and eye rolling. It's clear she is displeased.
I can understand this reaction on the birthday cupcake days. We don't have any advance notice. People just show up with cupcakes and pass them out. However, on the three occasions when we've had snacks from the teacher, we were given at least 2 weeks advance notice. (Class is once per week.) J could have brought an alternative snack for her DD. She didn't, which is completely her right. She knows what will work for her child.
The class is large enough that I don't think everyone is aware of her DD's allergy. I know that the teacher is, but she has not offered to change what she makes nor has she offered to bring something in that is dairy-free. So, no accommodation has been offered by the teacher. I don't know if the birthday cupcake moms knew or not. No one has gone out of their way to be sensitive to the issue, but J has not planned ahead on days she knew we were having snacks to bring something her DD could have.
My question is, Do you think the deep sighs, eye rolls, and obvious annoyance/ displeasure are justified?