So nervous

[HockeyAndSoccerMomof4]

One of Nick's friends called this afternoon and asked him if next weekend he could spend the night at his house. I am so nervous because this will be Nick's first time away from home since he was dx'd. I'm going to let him go because I want to let him be a normal kid but still im worried that they will have so much fun that Nick will "forget about diabetes". For anyone who got through this how did you ease your fears?

Mom of
Nick, 13 dx'd 2/26/08
Lindsey,9
Jake,4
Tyler,2

[CJ's Mom]

I totally know how you feel. CJ (age 14) was dx'd 01-22-08, on 04-14 he left with his class for DC, returning on 04-18 at 1:30 a.m. First time away from home since dx. He had his cell phone with him and I would text or call to remind him to do D stuff. If he wasn't sure about something he would call me and would text me his numbers. Just knowing that he had the phone with him and that his friends (and teachers) were trained in Glucagon made it much easier to let him go. He had some highs & lows and delt with them. He was fine. Nick will be fine too. Give the friends mom the basics and let her know she can call you anytime. You gotta let them go sometime.

[ADHDiabetic Mom]

I know how you feel, but I'm afraid I can't be of much help. My solution is that he only sleeps over at his Granddaddy's house, who is T2D and knows what to do.

Actually, we have had to implement a "no sleepovers, period" rule, not because of the diabetes per se, but because SD's behavior is so unpredictable when his BG goes high, and I just won't inflict that on someone else.

[bgallini]

It's not likely that he'll forget about his diabetes. Just go over what he needs to do with him and with the parents. Have him call at certain times to check in (not too often but at least once at night and once in the morning). He'll do fine and he'll have fun!

[Amy C.]

The only thing that works is to have him go and learn how to handle the challenges himself. Each time he leaves becomes a little easier on you.

Philip doesn't do wonderfully well, but he gets better each time at doing what he needs to do.

Being on the pump allowed me to really let go -- I still need that call in the morning that he woke up ok.

[Heather(CA)]

One of Nick's friends called this afternoon and asked him if next weekend he could spend the night at his house. I am so nervous because this will be Nick's first time away from home since he was dx'd. I'm going to let him go because I want to let him be a normal kid but still im worried that they will have so much fun that Nick will "forget about diabetes". For anyone who got through this how did you ease your fears?

Mom of
Nick, 13 dx'd 2/26/08
Lindsey,9
Jake,4
Tyler,2

It's normal to be nervous...
Usually, when kids spend the night at eachothers house's, they stay up late. So, what I do is run Seth a little higher by giving him a smal (Or big snack if they have been exercising) Then, I have him call me three hours after his last shot and when they go to bed. I also have him sleep with a juice box, his tester, and his cell phone right next to him.:cwds:

[Mama Belle]

Eventually you're going to have to let go a little bit. When my daughter went to her first sleepover we actually filled out a sort of "contract". We listed all of the things she needed to do at the sleepover to take care of her D. Her ability to go to future sleepovers depended upon her following the list. She didn't have to have perfect BGs (or even good BGs), we didn't base success or failure on her numbers, we based it upon the responsibility she took for caring for herself and keeping herself safe. She passed with flying colors and earned the reward of having future sleepovers.

[dbz2988]

Eventually you're going to have to let go a little bit. When my daughter went to her first sleepover we actually filled out a sort of "contract". We listed all of the things she needed to do at the sleepover to take care of her D. Her ability to go to future sleepovers depended upon her following the list. She didn't have to have perfect BGs (or even good BGs), we didn't base success or failure on her numbers, we based it upon the responsibility she took for caring for herself and keeping herself safe. She passed with flying colors and earned the reward of having future sleepovers.

That is a great idea!