DS is working at the theatre camps all summer. They are nut free, and everyone is Epi trained.

He may work at the same food booth at the state fair that he worked at last summer. It did not have any nuts. It was not vegetarian, however, and DS did very well with that. It was hot and exhausting work, but we didn't hear a single complaint from him.

As it turns out, there is a child with a nut allergy at The camp DS is working at, so the director made the camp nut free. DS called parents before the camp started to remind them to send non-nutty snacks.  He's had one camper in his group being trail mix and had to tell the child it's important to bring a snack without nuts. He said that because they share the rooms and instruments it's important to be sure to keep everyone safe.

That's what DS' plan was going to be. I'm glad that worked out for you. That's very helpful to know!

Quote from: Macabre on May 13, 2013, 07:56:54 PM
Bagging groceries at a higher end grocery store that does not have an open bin of peanuts--with a peanut allergy:  tell me your thoughts.

I know I'm late responding, but someone might find my experience helpful...

I am both contact and airborne sensitive and I worked as a checker at a grocery store when I was in high school.  The only problems I had were sometimes my hands would itch/swell/break out (seemed to happen the most with handling bagged candy).  I kept wet wipes with me so I could wipe my hands if they started to tingle/itch and I always kept my hands away from my face (which I would have done anyway handling raw meat packages and money, yuck!).

Hey, that's great!!

Well, how nice that you raised this. Today he learned he got a job at a drama camp!

He is also going to mow lawns in our new area and is hoping to work at the State Fair, but I'm worried that might interfere with play rehearsal the week before school and the first week. It is safe, and he has a friend at the same booth.

My son has worked summers at his high school for the tech dept and then has gotten some free lance type of work through word of mouth there.  Maybe an arts teacher could have some leads?  I think a grocery story job would be nerve wracking given how things break open, leak, spill, etc.  But not impossible.

Some of the cashiers I've seen wear nitrile gloves while working. And I've certainly used them where I had to touch questionable people and their items.

Just thinking about detassling --- it's a big summer job around here for the younger teens and actually some good money and not toooooo terribly unpleasant -- but my kids could not do it, due to their environmental allergies.  Does your DS have such allergies?  (trying to remember)

I walked beans one time and was a total itchy mess. 

If they use plastic bags, he could presumably handle anything suspect (bakery items, deli trays, that kind of thing) with a pair of those in a pinch, yes?


No harm in interviewing, at any rate.

He wants a job to save money for a school activity that will come with a very hefty price tag. He had created a (nicely done) resume and completed an application for a discount clothing store that he thought hired 15 year olds. He was called for an interview, but they once they determined his age said they couldn't interview him (but did say that his application stood out among the others they had and to please reapply next year ).

There are few options for him. He could detassle corn I assume, living where we do now.  This is really not the first thing I would think of for my kid, but it's an option. 

The grocery store he is thinking of hires 15 year olds (well, that's what he said about the other store, but he said they even hire 14 year olds). 

We talked about his having some wipes with him at all times. He thinks in his pocket and I think under a checkout counter. At this grocery store, sackers typically stay in one line. DNQ At this grocery store, there is no carry out (you drive through to pick them up).


Hmmmm.  I don't know.  I think it could work. This store seems good about hiring people with disabilities. One of the sackers I often get (got this evening) I think is on the spectrum.  Not that I am a professional diagnostic person, but just based on conversations and the mistake I made once of switching my bag preference for a few of my items (when I needed more than I brought).  And there are a few other folks there with disabilities. I'm thinking it would not be hard to work out an accommodation with the manager.

Quote from: Macabre on May 13, 2013, 07:56:54 PM
Bagging groceries at a higher end grocery store that does not have an open bin of peanuts--with a peanut allergy:  tell me your thoughts.

For your son, with what I know of his sensitivity levels, I'd say it might be do-able if wears gloves and he doesn't touch his face. I used to work at McD's when the McFlurries came out and I actually made the Reeses ones with no problems. But is it worth the stress psychologically? Having to bag literal bags of peanuts, PB, Reeses, then paying attention to exactly where you're putting your hands. Even though the environment is probably littered with peanut protein everywhere you go, actively, knowingly touching it isn't easy. Especially if you can't get away to wash your hands immediately after.   

Bagging groceries at a higher end grocery store that does not have an open bin of peanuts--with a peanut allergy:  tell me your thoughts.

DS is hopefully on his way to a job at Kumon. He's sort of in a trial period. I don't know what their rules are on eating there. He's allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, but can be around other people eating them.

No -- I keep suggesting it to her.  I know a few of her friends who work at the library as pages --- the hours are very, very flexible for school activities.