It's a tale as old as time....people judge others...they judge them based on appearance, behaviour, the words they choose to use, their beliefs and morals....the list could go on and on. People judge others. It's absurd to me.
When Emma was born, I learned very quickly that people will also judge your parenting style. You're not raising them properly...they should be breastfed....you should use cloth diapers....don't hold her all the time...let her fall asleep on her own...just let her cry it out...she will learn. It was enough to make my head spin. Everyone had an opinion and thought their opinion was right.
When diabetes entered our lives, I also quickly realized that people will judge the manner in which you choose to manage your child's disease. Don't refer to them as "diabetic"....bolus before they eat, not after....don't let them eat candy....don't let them drink diet soda...don't let them do this activity....make them check their own blood sugar, change their own pump site, inject themselves on their own, count carbs on their own.....make them do it on their own because it's their disease and they need to learn. Stop checking their blood sugar overnight! No, wait....be sure to check it at 3:00am! Make them wear an insulin pump...you're not a good parent if you don't because its the best option out there now! It doesn't matter if they scream and cry...you're the parent...you're in charge...tell them they have to! Let them stay home alone...don't let them stay home alone. Let them go on sleepovers...don't let them! Get the flu shot...don't get the flu shot! Don't let their a1c go too high...you need to keep it like my child's a1c...I have it in control....why aren't you doing it like me? I don't understand why you can't just do it this way....my way...the right way...the only way?!
Ughhh....
Everyone is a critic. Everyone has an opinion. Why must there always be so much judgement in this life with diabetes? Why can't we all just accept the fact that diabetes is probably one of the most individualistic diseases out there? Why must we look down our noses at others that are living the same life as us...albeit their own version of the same life? Instead of beating each other down with our words and our unfair judgements, why don't we all just take a minute...swallow down that critique that is about to jump out of our mouths....and just offer a smile....a hug....a kind word of encouragement.
Diabetes is hard. It's a fact. The only constant is that it's ever changing and guaranteed to always keep you on your toes.
So, stop being mean. Stop judging others. Stop shoving your opinions down others throats. Stop perceiving yourself as being any better than the rest of us. We are all in this together. We are all the same....insulin wielding badasses that will get the job done no matter what it takes.
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