Did You (Or Do Your T1 Children) Take An Active Role In Their Diabetes?

[Ellen]

Apologies if this was already posted.


Did You (Or Do Your T1 Children) Take An Active Role In Their Diabetes?

http://diabetesaliciousness.blogspot...dren-take.html

[mamamccoy87]

Grace has been checking her sugar and injecting herself (her decision) since 2 weeks after being diagnosed. She asked if she could give her own shots - freaked me out at first but she's done really well. Now pumping(except off starting today - a whole other story) and she will do some boluses, other times wants us to do for her. Will help make decisions on snacks (this or that?) and knows when to have a low carb snack.

I think kids should be allowed to participate as much as they want and are capable of. We will add up carbs together, but I think I will continue to be involved until Grace goes to college - its alot of responsibility as a parent, let alone as a kid

[Beach bum]

Abby has always played a role in her diabetes. At first, it was minor, such as telling us what finger to use and setting up her meter. Now, she does her checks at school and at home if I need her to. I will test her at night and if she's not in the mood. She still has me do set changes, but has recently expressed an interest in drawing up the insulin and pressing the buttons to rewind and load.

Each year she does a little more, but we are in no hurry to have her take on more responsibility.

[SLJones77]

My son is 11 and just diagnosed 3 weeks ago. Part of the decision to discharge him from the hospital is if he could pull up his own insulin (novolog and lantus) and be able to at least give himself his onw Novolog.

He was also required to count carbs of the meals that he was given and determine how much Novolog was needed according to that meal.

Perferablly they wanted him to do ALL his injections, including Lantus, but because it stings a bit more than the Novolog, they told me to inject it into the bum because there are less nerve endings there. He can't quite reach back there so I get to squeez his little cheeks and inject the Lantus.

However, besides me calling in numbers, making meals and giving the Lantus, he does it ALL by himself. This is something the hospital really pushed for.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by SLJones77

However, besides me calling in numbers, making meals and giving the Lantus, he does it ALL by himself. This is something the hospital really pushed for.

If he is comfortable with it, that is great. All children deal with this illness differently and change the way they deal with it over the course of time. Just be aware that it is perfectly OK to step in and assist him, or even take over if he wants you to. Independence is a great thing. Burnout, not so much. Sounds like you (and he) are doing a great job.

[denise3099]

I think kids should be allowed to participate as much as they want and are capable of.

I totally agree, and this to me means they should do as little as they want or are capable of too. I am willing to do everything unless dd wants to do it herself. She can do as much or as little as she feels ready for. I try to show her everything I'm doing and when she wants to do it, I help her and watch her. She never gave her own shot but was testing herself within a month, at age 4. Now she boluses on her pump--I'll say bolus for 30 carbs, that's THREE ZERO (we always confirm this way) and she does it. she also makes lots of choices about pump skins and site locations and pump pouches.

I really think kids should do as much as they want and can--I just hate to push them to manage something that most docs don't even know anything about. They'll have enough time to get the hang of it, so I do as much as she wants me to now. The only thing I am super firm about is honesty and cooperation. No sneaking food, and when it's time to test or for a site change, we do.

[frizzyrazzy]

I have to say, I disagree with the blog. That's like saying to a 8 year old "you're going to be responsible and take ownership for making your meals because eventually you're going to need to do this on your own, whether you like it or not". Who would do that? You start small, you teach a child how to cook along side of you and over the years they learn. I don't see any difference with diabetes. What's the rush to make a small child take on such a big task? Isn't the beauty of being a child that you have loving parents there next to you, helping you, doing for you when needed?

Maybe it's how I see myself as a parent . I just feel like my children are small for such a short time, with a long life ahead of them where they have to be responsible for everything. Childhood, even one that includes diabetes, should be as carefree as I can make it for them.

[Alex's Dad]

Originally Posted by frizzyrazzy

I have to say, I disagree with the blog. That's like saying to a 8 year old "you're going to be responsible and take ownership for making your meals because eventually you're going to need to do this on your own, whether you like it or not". Who would do that? You start small, you teach a child how to cook along side of you and over the years they learn. I don't see any difference with diabetes. What's the rush to make a small child take on such a big task? Isn't the beauty of being a child that you have loving parents there next to you, helping you, doing for you when needed?

Maybe it's how I see myself as a parent . I just feel like my children are small for such a short time, with a long life ahead of them where they have to be responsible for everything. Childhood, even one that includes diabetes, should be as carefree as I can make it for them.

I agree and your post got me thinking about my little one (16 months old), and the long road ahead with the condition, but she will have her parents to take care of her, so she can have what they call a "normal" life. You can't let diabetes take control of her childhood.

[GinaB]

Joseph CAN can do his care himself and does a great job at school and at friend&s houses (we consult over phone and decide together about dosage ). At home he perfers not to think of it too much. We figure the carbs and correction and he'll often give input if he feels we should average up or down depending on how he's feeling. He prefers not to do his own injections at home and that's ok with us. I feel that as long as he's capable of taking care of himself if needed he can unload that burden when he's home and 'just be a kid'.

[prima0006]

Ellen:
Thanks so much for posting a link to my blog- I'm learning so much from the dialogue it's created!
I just wanted to say that my parents did help me with my diabetes and were involved with it 24X7, but they also allowed and encouraged me to learn and work with them a(nd on my own,) so I could be an independent adult.
I wasn't calling in my numbers to the Dr at the age of 8, but I was writing my numbers in my own little record book while my mom wrote them in hers. I was helping pick and choose the carbs I wanted, and eventually, I injected my own insulin. All those things didn't all happen at once, they happened in steps.
Mistakes were made on both sides, but I am forever grateful for them allowing me to be an active participant in my disease because it really did help me to become a healthier adult with t1.

I was able to go to college, go to Europe, swim with manatees and climb a Mexican Pyramid on the longest day of the year, and work. I would never have been able to do those things had I not been taught to take ownership of my diabetes.
In my immediate family, 4 out of 8 were t1's - we had to learn - and examples were all around our house!

I don't know how my parents raised 6 children -3 of with t1. My dad was a t1 as well. I am grateful for all their hard work. And every single time I read a parent of a cwd's blog or comment, I am continually amazed -And am reminded of what my parents did for me and my siblings.