Diabetes care can be a full time job. Let us help.
Diabetes Parenting and Family Life
Diabetes affects the whole family -- parents and siblings as well as the child with diabetes. It may also have some impact on your parenting choices and on the relationships between family members. In general, your kids will take their cue from you. If parents treat diabetes in a matter-of-fact way, your kids and others will follow suit. After the initial adjustment, diabetes can become just another part of what makes your family unique.
Don't deprive your child of sleepovers, school trips, or family vacations because of diabetes. Caring for diabetes when away from home, whether it's at a sleepover or on a family vacation, takes preparation and planning.
Talk About It
You're trying to remain strong and upbeat for your child's sake, but you need to talk about your feelings and reactions to diabetes, too. Make some time to talk with your spouse, a close friend, or a counselor.
The good news is that the ideal meal plan for your child with diabetes is no different from the healthy meal plan nutrition experts recommend to everyone. There is no need for her to eat special foods or give up her favorite treats. With the help of a dietitian, you and your child can create a healthy and appetizing meal plan.
Do Your Favorite Things
Diabetes shouldn't hold your child back, and it shouldn't hold you back, either. Give yourself the gift of time to do things you enjoy, time for you and/or your spouse to get away from it all, time to just play with your kids without worrying about diabetes. It may take a little more planning, but you can do it.
Work as a Team
The whole family can pitch in to care for your child's diabetes. Both parents should know how to give shots, check blood glucose, interpret blood glucose results, and treat both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Depending on age, siblings can also keep a watch for hypoglycemic symptoms, help write blood glucose results in the logbook and even learn how to check blood glucose. Participation in diabetes care by the rest of the family can also help prevent "diabetes burnout" in your child or in the parent most involved in diabetes care. The more support your child has from the rest of the family, the easier it will be to stay on track in her diabetes care.
Before your next visit to one of our clinics, read more about how to live with diabetes.
Then, let our professionals help you get a handle on your diabetic condition.
