Parents of Pre-teens...What's your line?

[Tigerlilly's mom]

I am just curious of what kind of information you tell parents of your d childs friends? Do you have a standard line? Also, what about when your kids are out and about with their friends, how do you handle that?

[dqmomof3]

Hmmm...

When Jayden is out and about with her friends, I don't usually say much to them, really. It's so unlikely that Jayden is going to crash and be completely incoherent that I guess I don't see it as a big issue. She feels her lows. Her good friends know about the diabetes, and those are the people she is with the most.

As far as the parents, if she's going to spend a lot of time at someone's house, like spending the night, then I go through emergency procedures with the parents...I basically give them the same index card that Jayden has in all her classrooms at school, and a little bag that has cake gel and an extra pump site and insulin just in case something happens to her site.

[KatieJane'smom]

I just let Katie Jane give the information herself. Her friends are all very protective of her. Every once in a while, when spending the night, I will look a responsible kid in the eye and say "Make sure she calls me when she takes her blood sugar"
As far as parents go, I just give them a brief overview and tell them that Katie Jane can answer any questions they have but to feel free to call any time of the night even for a question.

[LJM]

I don't tell them too much if he is only casually spending short periods of time with them.

The families he shares meals with and goes out and about with know more. I tell them about the highs and lows; let them know he wears a pump. I just generally reassure them that he handles things on his own and there is not much they have to worry about or do.

If he stays overnight---I up the information a bit. Let them know what is in his backpack and why it is there. Luckily (or unluckily), two of his better friends have Type 1 family members so they get it and I don't have to do much at all.

[Tigerlilly's mom]

Thanks for your replies. Now that Tyler makes the majority of his own plans and often goes from one friends house to another, I have left it up to him to give explainations when needed. I trust him and his instincts and also know that his friends know what to look out for with him.