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Hi all.

I have to relate this story since it is pertinent to many parents who are
so careful, and probably so common, but it makes me so mad.

I took my 6 year old to his best friend's house to play yesterday. I have
had extended discussions with the child's mother concerning my son's diet
and even showed her how to read labels. When I dropped him off, he brought
a bag of a popular snack (that happens to be GF) to share with his friend.
I remembered from a previous visit that she likes to feed the kids a snack
and she knew last time that my child could eat popcorn, so she made it for
all to share. That was fine and so, remembering that, I confidently left
my son in her care.

I came back 2 hours later to learn from the mother that she had made
chocolate balls (made with crumbled (wheat) crackers) and put it in front
of the kids. My son, being only 6 but knowing pretty much what he could
and couldn't eat, asked and nagged if he could have some. The mother said
no, no. But EVENTUALLY SHE GAVE IN -- TO A 6 YEAR OLD! I couldn't believe
it! Why, knowing his dietary restrictions, would she purposely make only
one snack food (after they all had devoured what we had brought), and one
he couldn't eat, and put it in front of him and say "Sorry you can't have
that"? If her kids so wanted the gluten snack couldn't she have waited
until my son left? Couldn't she have offered him something else?

Sorry, I had to blow off some steam. I know you parents with celiac kids
go through the same experiences. You explain the situation to a good
friend and you trust them with the health of your kid - even for just a
couple of hours-- and then you hear a story like this.

My son and I discussed this all the way home. I told him he must be
careful since he will have symptoms in a few hours, which he did. I didn't
want him to feel too bad since he's only being typically 6. I fault the
mother.

I left feeling betrayed. I will give her an earful next time I see her.

Sorry this was so long. Thanks for listening.

Sharon Marcus
Haifa (on the coast), Israel