Peppermints

[Eleven011]

I see many comments about having peppermints on hand, I am assuming to soothe upset tummies. But wondering what kind do you get and what ages do you give them too? I would be nervous giving hard candies to my little kinders, and I'm thinking many kids don't really like the flavor?

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i just get the regular ones -about 3-4 th grade and up can have them if i happen to have any

[abc123RN]

I get the sweet stripe mints, softer and melt away faster. These things work wonders on just about any ailment, bellies, throats, falls on the playground, hurt feelings... the magic cure all! LOL!!

[Wave Watcher]

I don't give them at all. Choking hazard and I don't want to be the reason a child needs the Heimlich. If they are that nauseated and can't sit in class I will send them home. Although, teachers will hand out cough drops and hard peppermints. I don't have a problem with it if they are going to be responsible for watching the child. JMO.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I don't give out any candy at all.

And yesterday in a meeting at the D.O. one of the teachers talked to me about his daughter getting candy as a reward in class and he was not happy about it. He's tried to talk to the teacher each year but nothing changes. He was wondering if I, as the school nurse, could address this.

Yikes. ME . . go against a teacher?

One of the pitfalls of this job is I'm the only medical person around a bunch of educators. And they just don't get my perspective.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

I don't give out any candy at all.

And yesterday in a meeting at the D.O. one of the teachers talked to me about his daughter getting candy as a reward in class and he was not happy about it. He's tried to talk to the teacher each year but nothing changes. He was wondering if I, as the school nurse, could address this.

Yikes. ME . . go against a teacher?

One of the pitfalls of this job is I'm the only medical person around a bunch of educators. And they just don't get my perspective.

Fortunately my son's school nurse went to bat against the middle school teacher giving out candy and snacks in class (my son has physician ordered dietary restrictions) because not only was she giving out candy (against district policy) despite the administration speaking up but also giving out peanut & peanut butter laced snacks to eat in class with a child who spoke up about an anaphylactic peanut allergy. Really? She didn't think it was that "big of a deal"...yet the student self carries an EpiPen. Even better administration supported the school nurse (as did custodial services as now they knew one of the feeding sources for the picnic ants visiting that wing).

For classroom candy rewards perhaps direct the teacher to the federal nutrition guidelines prohibiting candy given routinely as a reward especially at the elementary level unless otherwise written in an IEP or other educational plan. (My son had gum to be chewed during math & handwriting for a very brief period in his IEP, they learned quickly why that was a very bad idea for my child). Maybe administration would back him up.

I'm surprised at school protocols that permit peppermints & cough drops as in my area it's physician order only at the elementary level (unless a provider writes an Rx) but now the middle school & high school only permit students to carry water bottles with school nurse waiver as of mid last year since some genius let their 7th grader go to school with vodka in a water bottle.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Wow JustBeachyNurse

That's just crazy but some of the attitudes I come up against as well.

I do go to bat for the parents though. This student is adopted from an abusive family. She's adorable, young, but manipulative. She came from a very poor environment. She hoards candy in her room - her parents took her to the dentist and she has horrible tooth decay at the gum line from pocketing the candy in her cheeks.

And yeah, you are right. There are strict rules about what we can and cannot do. We had to get rid of the petroleum jelly that we used for chapped lips a couple of years ago. Just about everything has to have a physician's order. My sup told me it was because school districts get sued all the time over really minor stuff. They've had to go overboard to protect themselves.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

My son was so worried about his classmate after watching me have a reaction I will admit that I'm the one who alerted the school nurse and senior administration. My son is improving self advocacy skills. He carried his own "safe" snacks even when this teacher claimed her choices were safe (well aware of my son's needs as its in his IEP and flagged in the school system thanks to the nurse). But the teacher destroyed my son's trust when she started bringing peanut snacks as choices.

[Nurse Leigh]

^^ I am glad you and your son have a great school nurse. Was it your son who picked out an aloe plant for her recently? I was totally charmed by that.

I understand your son has some difficulties but it sounds like you are able to help him reach his full potential and I'm sure he's growing into a fine young man.

I have no children of my own, but I love encountering parents and other caregivers who really seem to enjoy their children. ♡☆♡☆

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

^^ I am glad you and your son have a great school nurse. Was it your son who picked out an aloe plant for her recently? I was totally charmed by that.

I understand your son has some difficulties but it sounds like you are able to help him reach his full potential and I'm sure he's growing into a fine young man.

I have no children of my own, but I love encountering parents and other caregivers who really seem to enjoy their children. ♡☆♡☆

Yes it was. I should have taken a photo. I think it helps that in his current district the nurses have been there for over 15 years each and well established. Thank you.