Celiacs Disease

[canadiancare]

The children are 2 and 4. Both have it.

I say if you think it is a good fit and you are willing to take it on go for it. You seem to be someone with a good head on your shoulders (or you play one on the Internet)

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I have Celiacs.

If they are providing meals that will greatly simplify your life. I think I've read before that you use disposable cups and plates??? If so, that will also greatly simplify your life because ANY plastic plate/cup that has had anything containing gluten in it is considered contaminated even if it has gone through the dishwasher. Any serving utensils will need to be metal that you use (whether it's to scoop their food out of something or for them to eat off of).

There's also various things that have gluten in them that you don't even think about. Play-Doh is the first thing at the top of my mind when it comes to daycare.

[Blackcat31]

I say if you think it is a good fit and you are willing to take it on go for it. You seem to be someone with a good head on your shoulders (or you play one on the Internet)

:: :: ::

The only thing I promise every day is to TRY.

I'll update you more about the specifics once I meet with them this afternoon.

[Country Kids]

I have Celiacs.

If they are providing meals that will greatly simplify your life. I think I've read before that you use disposable cups and plates??? If so, that will also greatly simplify your life because ANY plastic plate/cup that has had anything containing gluten in it is considered contaminated even if it has gone through the dishwasher. Any serving utensils will need to be metal that you use (whether it's to scoop their food out of something or for them to eat off of).

There's also various things that have gluten in them that you don't even think about. Play-Doh is the first thing at the top of my mind when it comes to daycare.

I totally forgot the playdough thing!

I think its has to be a very researched thing before making the final decision.

I remember my kitchen becoming very, very sterile and not even liking my own family using it.

[Blackcat31]

I have Celiacs.

If they are providing meals that will greatly simplify your life. I think I've read before that you use disposable cups and plates??? If so, that will also greatly simplify your life because ANY plastic plate/cup that has had anything containing gluten in it is considered contaminated even if it has gone through the dishwasher. Any serving utensils will need to be metal that you use (whether it's to scoop their food out of something or for them to eat off of).

There's also various things that have gluten in them that you don't even think about. Play-Doh is the first thing at the top of my mind when it comes to daycare.

Yes, I use disposable plates and cups so that part won't be an issue.

From what little info I have as of right now, it sounds as if it isn't super serious so that is good.

I will definitely be prepared though with lots of questions for this family!

The play-doh thing won't really be an issue as actual Play-doh brand stuff makes my DH gag so we rarely use anything other than modeling clay.

I have made home made play dough recipe's before but I wonder if I could use gluten free flour instead?...Do they even make that?

What do YOU use in your program?

[Lyss]

I've had the "trendy" gluten free kid where DCP suddenly said DCB had Celiacs (DCB had been here 3mos, normal diet, no issues) but explained it the same as you are getting now "a little tummy issue." My DCP supplied the food at first for then realized how much it was costing and suddenly wanted me to provide it, but couldn't provide a DR note. DCB now eats what everyone else does (mostly), because DCM has changed her mind, "its not Celiacs, probably dairy" so now he has soy milk she provides.

In your case though, where DCPs are already providing it for both, I think I'd be willing to try. I might be hesitant if it was severe, peanut allergy like, as my kitchen is small and I'd be very paranoid of cross contamination from that or my messy little ones.

[MsLaura529]

Everyone else has said a bunch of stuff already, but I just wanted to chime in and say that even things like makeup and lotions (and playdough which has been mentioned) have ingredients in them that are unsafe for those with celiacs.

And yes, I have seen somewhere, making a gluten-free playdough. On Pinterest maybe?

[countrymom]

I've had the "trendy" gluten free kid where DCP suddenly said DCB had Celiacs (DCB had been here 3mos, normal diet, no issues) but explained it the same as you are getting now "a little tummy issue." My DCP supplied the food at first for then realized how much it was costing and suddenly wanted me to provide it, but couldn't provide a DR note. DCB now eats what everyone else does (mostly), because DCM has changed her mind, "its not Celiacs, probably dairy" so now he has soy milk she provides.

In your case though, where DCPs are already providing it for both, I think I'd be willing to try. I might be hesitant if it was severe, peanut allergy like, as my kitchen is small and I'd be very paranoid of cross contamination from that or my messy little ones.

thats what I'm wondering too. When someone says "a little tummy trouble" what does that really mean.

[melilley]

I have a child who is on a gluten and dairy free diet along with no red dye! His parents never said he had Celiacs disease, but he can't have ANY thing that contains gluten or dairy. At first I thought it would be really hard to manage. The parents did bring food at first, but I now buy it and it's not really that hard to make meals without those ingredients. Meijer (I don't know if you have one by you) has a gluten free dry section and also a freezer section, but since they are providing food, it seems like it would be easy. But after reading about all the things you have to do to prevent cross contamination if the child has true Celiacs disease, not just an intolerance I think I might be a little leary (sp?) of taking the child just because of me myself being afraid of messing up. The child that I have can eat off of plates washed in a dishwasher and stuff like that so it's just an intolerance.
And Willow brought up a good point of the other children wanting the other child's food. It would just depend on the child/ren. The child that I have that is gluten and dairy free is 32 months and he knows that certain foods will hurt his tummy and doesn't ever ask for the other children's food-he did try to grab a cracker once, but that's it. As for the other children who are 30, 21, and 19 months old, they aren't gluten free and they never really ask for the gluten free child's food and if they do, I explain that it's for M and he can't have our food or it will hurt his belly and they usually go back to their own food or occasionally I will let them try it. But with that said, I only have 4 out of my six children who eat table food sitting by each other and I sit with them when they eat so it's pretty easy to make sure everyone is eating their own food.

[butterfly]

Fellow Celiac here. Wheat, barley and rye are the things to stay away from - all contain gluten. Others have offered great advice already. If the family is willing to provide food, I'd do that.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I totally forgot the playdough thing!

I think its has to be a very researched thing before making the final decision.

I remember my kitchen becoming very, very sterile and not even liking my own family using it.

Sometimes you can make it a little easier on yourself by sectioning off things. I have a specific gluten free part of the pantry, certain gluten free utensils/plates/bowls, certain gluten free cabinet (for cookware), and a certain gluten free counter even. The gluten free drawer/cabinet/counter all have labels on them that read: "GLUTEN FREE! DO NOT TOUCH!" :: My counter is only able to be "gluten free" in this house that I purchased used because it is granite. If it were that plasticy-type of countertop (formica?) or wood I wouldn't trust it and would have to lay those flimsy cutting boards over it to set bowls/plates/cups on when preparing foods.

Sometimes, I think it'd jus be easier to wear a bubble suit.

[butterfly]

thats what I'm wondering too. When someone says "a little tummy trouble" what does that really mean.

It affects everyone differently. If I unknowingly get a small bit of gluten, I get very sick. Like having a bad case of the flu, with diarrhea. I get so weak and run down and can barely function. I have to have someone else care for my children, because I can barely care for myself when it happens. Some people have bloating, gas, stomach pain, etc. - anything associated with stomach issues. I've known some to break out in a bad rash in addition to all the other symptoms.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Yes, I use disposable plates and cups so that part won't be an issue.

From what little info I have as of right now, it sounds as if it isn't super serious so that is good.

I will definitely be prepared though with lots of questions for this family!

The play-doh thing won't really be an issue as actual Play-doh brand stuff makes my DH gag so we rarely use anything other than modeling clay.

I have made home made play dough recipe's before but I wonder if I could use gluten free flour instead?...Do they even make that?

What do YOU use in your program?

They make several types of flours that are gluten free! I bet you could even google "homemade gluten free dough" and find a bunch of recipes!

I actually do use Play-Doh because I don't touch it. I was gifted some in October and was gifted some by another parent in March, so free is free!
I have the children clean up afterwards (they know how to make a big ball to pick up play-doh crumbs) and then I put on gloves and scrub down the tables. Their tables are already contaminated with gluten since the food program just adores grains and the only ones I'm not allergic to that I serve the kids are corn tortillas, taco shells, and rice. I wear gloves a lot!

I said it in another thread once, but I, personally, wouldn't take on a child with Celiacs. How's that for a double standard? ::
The lengths I go through to prepare my own meals and prevent any cross contamination are crazy and I have to make my meals when the children aren't awake. I wouldn't feel comfortable taking on a child with the same issues as me. I make and eat breakfast before they arrive. I make my lunch on my gluten free counter and eat lunch during their naptime when ALL of their lunch stuff if put away and everything is scrubbed down so that I don't accidentally ingest any gluten. I also make and prepare dinner after they are completely gone (unless I put my items in the crockpot and then they are safe as they have a lid on them).

[canadiancare]

Also once you know for sure you shouldn't "cheat" because the long term effects on your system are life span shortening. Even if it seems like "just cramps" bad stuff is happening to your intestines with every flare up.

It is a horrible but manageable condition. You just have to be diligent.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

It affects everyone differently. If I unknowingly get a small bit of gluten, I get very sick. Like having a bad case of the flu, with diarrhea. I get so weak and run down and can barely function. I have to have someone else care for my children, because I can barely care for myself when it happens. Some people have bloating, gas, stomach pain, etc. - anything associated with stomach issues. I've known some to break out in a bad rash in addition to all the other symptoms.

Same here with the addition of stomach pain that is tremendous. I can handle everything but the weak/run down feeling. When I've come into contact with gluten (at an old job it happened too many times due to their own careless ways), the lack of energy that I have is beyond ridiculous. I could drink 10 cups of coffee and still feel like I can barely move.