needing time away

[annaluvspink]

Hello. My daughter has been dx w/ T1 since 3/29/07. She is 6 now and full of energy. It has been a long summer...I stay at home during the summer months therefore I am her main caregiver. Needless to say, I need a break. My dh helps when he gets home but I'm so burned out. We don't have much of a support system. We were starting to get comfortable w/ teenage babysitters than D hit...we're not comfortable just leaving her w/ a teenager. Grandparents have stopped "offering" to sit and/or live more than an hour away. Dh and I need a night out. I just get so sad that I can't take Annabelle to a fun camp (dance, tennis, gymnastics, etc) for 2-3 hours. She LOVES to do things like that. Also, she needs the break from Me and I need a break from D. I usually am a fun Mom, but I'm just getting so burned out. I've been crying on and off all week. Tell me, what can I do to get a break?

Thanks,
Michelle --preschool teacher
Annabelle 6 dx'd 3/29/08--Lantus/Novolog
Mallory 2
Dale dh --married 12 years

[Amy C.]

You get a break when you realize she can go to activities for a couple of hours. You just train the staff members on how to treat a low.

It is really easier than training the school staff members on what to do during the day.

We hired a teenage babysitter and trained her. Our dates were in between shots, so it worked well.

[StillMamamia]

Michelle,

I so understand you. I'm in the same boat. ((HUGS))
But I do know the first step is allowing your child to lead normal activities. Let your child do some of the things she likes, train the people if you need to, and work your way from there. The first step is the hardest...you will see that it's ok to let go a bit, and things will be ok.
Take care of yourself too, pamper yourself when you can...and don't feel guilty about it. Even just watching your favorite movie or going for a walk with a friend or even lunch. A new hobby or doing an old forgotten hobby? Small baby steps before the big leaps.
Try to find a babysitter who is willing to learn about d. There's always the cell-phone for you to be reached. Check if your community has a list of reliable babysitters or ask your neighbours if they can recommend someone.
It's hard for us to trust others with the care of our child, I know, but it is doable.
Reach out to a friend...sometimes speaking helps us feel calmer and more focused. Reach out to a professional, if you stay too long in a 'dark' place.

Remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! Someone, somewhere understands how you feel.

[Tigerlilly's mom]

Hi Michelle -

I think as a primary caregiver, we all get burned out at some point if we don't get a break, then throw d into the mix and we get "scorched".
I think finding a reliable sitter (even a teenager) who can follow directions and not be afraid to ask questions and having that sitter come to the house for a few hours at first as a "mom's helper" to play with Annabelle, and become familair with her routine in terms of d care while you go in the other room, fold laundry, read a book, watch a movie, then once you are all comfortable with the situation, maybe start with short trips to the store, a walk around the block, get your nails done. Choose a time when she doens't need any d care, such as shots or checks, (but have them familair with the checks and how to treat lows). Take baby steps that you are comfortable with. In terms of a camp for 2-3 hours, try to find one when she doesn't need any "routine" d stuff done. Maybe in the morning, before lunch, then there will be no shots needed at the time.
I may be alone in my opinion on this, but I think as long as someone is capable of following directions, they can take care of a child with diabetes for short periods of time. Just write out specific directions about what to do in case of lows and what she can have for snacks drinks etc.

Remember it gets easier.

[CButler]

I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have two older daughters who know how to care for my 6 year old daughter's diabetes. We have no one else outside of our family and she also has sensory issues that people don't know how to deal with.

Is there any way to find out if someone fairly close to you has a teen or young adult with a younger sibling with type 1 who could babysit? or another parent of a type 1 child who could help for a few hours?

Is there any kind of respite care facility close that could handle diabetes? Maybe you could contact someone from a local diabetes support group or diabetes organization to see if they know of any "qualified" babysitters or respite care near you.

You HAVE to be able to get a break or you will get to the point where you can't help your daughter the way you need to. It is very taxing!
I'm praying something will work out for you.

[StillMamamia]

If you need support groups, maybe this link can help you get in touch with others going through the same thing as you, and perhaps they could give you some hints for babysitters:

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/support/us-mi.htm