Sometimes I sit here with a smirk on my face and think about how different our lives have become since diabetes entered the picture. Not even just how different this life is compared to how it was before....but more so how things have progressed over the years. In the beginning days after diagnosis, I was worried all of the time...scared...I would panic over the little things. I would blame myself for the highs and lows. I would find myself constantly staring at her to seek out those potential low blood sugars...constantly asking her if she felt ok...if she felt low. I'm sure I was probably the most annoying person on the planet to my 4 year old Emma.
As the years progress, i am finding myself not AS worried...not AS panicked...not AS stressed. It is a whole new ball game because she is now 8 and she is able to help me figure things out more. I am truly greatful to have her on my team at this point.
I imagine that this is a normal thing for all parents of d-kiddos to go through. We make that transition from sole psuedo pancreas....to captain of the pseudo pancreas team...to supporting role.
I have a few friends in real life and on line that are now adults living with type 1 diabetes and I am writing this post to them. I am at the point now in this d-life, where I am wondering if I am doing all that I should be doing...if I am handling things right....if I am supporting Emma in the way that she needs to be supported...if I am still doing too much..annoying her...if I need to step back more and let her make mistakes more so she learns? It's hard to not to question your choices in this life when it comes to the physical aspect of things and you see the numbers not play out the way you wanted them too. But I think it is also difficult not to question yourself when it comes to the emotional aspect. I want to set my kid off on the right path. I want her to have all of the tools she will need to make it in this life and to achieve all of her dreams. I want her to be strong. When she is grown and on her own...living her own life...if she happens to see those lows or highs, I don't want her to get angry at herself..I want her to see the number, fix it, and move on.
So, I guess my question for all of you adults living with Type 1 is this......looking back on your childhood, is there anything that you wish your parents did differently or is there anything you wish they would/wouldn't have said? Is there something that stands out for you? Do you have any tips or advice that you think should be shared with all parents of children with diabetes?
I want to do it right. I want to raise Emma to be a strong, confident, and loving person. So, as we keep on truckin in this life with diabetes, I want to do my best to arm her with all that she needs to make it work. Thanks in advance!
I was 24 when I was diagnosed, so I can’t say what did or did not work for me as a kid. I know from reading your posts that you are doing a great job with Emma.
ReplyDeleteI have a real life friend with a T1 son. He is a little older than Emma – he was 13 when diagnosed and 16 now. I told her that she needs to find a balance between letting him be a kid and dealing the diabetes. Their endos office thinks she needs to follow him around every second of the day and manage his blood sugar and what he eats. I told her that the only thing that would do is make him hate everything about diabetes and rebel against it.
I think giving Emma some responsibility is a good thing. I don’t think too many of us like having someone look over our shoulder watching everything that we do! As a parent, you are worried about those mistakes - especially the ones that can cause a bad low. I think including her in the decision making is a good thing. Even if you decide not to use what she wants to do, she can tell you why she likes that idea and you can ask her what she thinks if …