KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Hello, I am new here. I am Chinese American mother of three children, 4, 2, and 1 living in the US. We might be relocating to Singapore next year for a year or two for my husband's job. My 2 year old son was diagnosed with a peanut allergy. Peanut allergies are very common and on the rise here in the US. I don't know how he got it because nobody in our family has it. I don't have to worry too much about him accidentally eating things with peanuts here because preschools, kindergartens and primary schools are very conscious about not allowing any type of nut products in their schools. When the kids get older, they are separated from other children without allergies.

In your opinions, what are the risks of my son eating snacks with peanuts if I were to enroll him in preschool if we move to Singapore? Is this type of allergy seem strange in Singapore? Should I keep him at home to prevent him from being exposed? Thanks so much!

momof3littles wrote:...In your opinions, what are the risks of my son eating snacks with peanuts if I were to enroll him in preschool if we move to Singapore? Is this type of allergy seem strange in Singapore? Should I keep him at home to prevent him from being exposed? Thanks so much!

Hi momof3littles, peanut allergies are not very common in Singapore. In fact, I've heard of more cases of lactose intolerance than peanut allergies. Such kids still continue to go to childcare and the teachers will take special care if they are properly instructed. However, it is necessary to go for a better child care with less teacher turn-over because instructions may be lost. It is better to send kids to child care not just so that parents get a few hours of break, but also to let the children socialize and work with other kids.

Hi, my 5yo gal is also diagnosed with peanut allergy. If you are enrolling your kid to pre-sch, you can always highlight to the principal/teachers of your concern. Pre-school hours here are usually 3 to 4hrs and the children are given one snack break each session. You may pack a snack box for your child to bring to sch and alert the sch not to feed any food/snack to your kid.

Actually, it is more of a concern in dinning out here in Singapore, as peanut and peanut oil is widely used here, especially in hawker center and food court.

I 'trained' my 5yo to make sure she asked if the food/snack given to her has peanut in it.

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