How to Be a Parent of a Diabetic Child

Being the parent of a diabetic child can be a stressful, isolating experience. Especially after a diagnosis, many parents feel alone in taking on this life-changing disease. There's a wealth of information available on the Internet, in books and from others who are living and managing diabetes as adults. Through trial and error, you can find the best way to help support your diabetic child.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Make life easier by only making one dinner. Putting the entire household on the same diet not only makes your child feel like less of an outsider, it's a healthy move for everyone. You'll save time and your waistline while helping your child manage a balanced diet. Also, try to keep meal times fairly consistent from day to day. You don't need a rigid schedule, but consistency helps keep blood-sugar levels balanced.
2. Hold your diabetic child to house rules. Don't avoid punishing him when he does wrong or overly praise him when he does simple things right. Don't treat him differently. If you'd let your other children sleep over a friend's house, let your diabetic child do so as well. Inform any other parents involved that your child is diabetic, and let your child take responsibility for making good choices when he is with friends.
3. Have emergency fast-acting snacks with you at all times, just in case. Encourage your child to pack emergency snacks for herself, but if she forgets, you'll be glad you remembered.
4. Prepare for sick days in advance by talking with your child's doctor. Check your child's blood-sugar levels frequently on days he's ill and continue using insulin. Be aware that ketones in urine are a warning that more insulin is needed. Read carefully all labels of over-the-counter medications. Check with your doctor before using them because some have additives that may affect blood-sugar levels.
5. Plan ahead for holidays. Holidays can be a challenge. Make sure extended family and friends are in the loop about what kinds of foods your child should and shouldn't have. Offer diabetic-friendly foods when hosting parties. At Halloween time, let your child choose a few of her favorite pieces of candy she got while trick-or-treating and "buy" back the rest from her. This way, she can look forward to purchasing a non-food treat later on.
6. Consider signing your child up for a diabetic summer camp. There are many ADA-approved camps in the U.S. that offer great experiences for kids. Older children may benefit from support groups of other teens with diabetes as adolescence and high school can be difficult times for kids with diabetes.