My children have various allergies and have had a few reactions when they were younger. For example for DD, physical contact with a nut will result in significant swelling but I don't think that she will get a reaction from just breathing the air in a room containing a nut. For DS, eating cheap (such as Easter novelty rather than the major brands) chocolate made on the same equipment used for nuts can result in projectile vomiting. On the one hand, both DH and I eat and keep nuts (as well as other foods to which they are allergic) at home and it has been their responsibility since about age 7 to protect themselves. I felt that this was a better approach since they do have to watch out for themselves at school and other places outside our home. They are farily careful and vigilant so far. However, I recently refused permission for DD to a sleepover (from evening to the next afternoon) partly because I was concerned about the allergy issue and partly because I didn't know the parents well. Was this unreasonable given DD is now 10.
