Having a child with diabetes entails different types of care and emotional support a family must manage daily. These duties spill over outside the home to ensure they are taken care of during school, sports, and other special events. By supporting and empowering children with diabetes, they learn to respect their condition and prioritize their health.
Tips to Help Manage
You have an important job caring for a child with diabetes. Balancing everything can be overwhelming, mainly since the health of your child depends on it. Here are a few ways that can help keep it all together:
- Blood Sugar Levels-Children with diabetes must have their blood sugar checked regularly throughout the day. Your doctor will let you know how many times and what the goal ranges should be. Having a daily plan outlined can help everyone at home or away know what to do if levels drop, spike, equipment malfunctions, and so on.
- Eating Healthy– Making changes as a family encourages healthier lifestyles for everyone without singling out your diabetic child.
- Exercising-Exercise affects blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours after activity. If they are in sports or have a plan for an extra active day, checking levels before, during, and after activities, keep a pulse on whether an intervention will be needed. Pack extra snacks and insulin if needed.
- Encouraging Teen Independence-Most teens desire more independence as time goes on. Parents are naturally more apprehensive when it comes to relinquishing control. However, you can start early by showing them how to take care of their condition on their own. Also, guide them on how to communicate their needs to others, and eventually they will master it too.
- Emotional Aspects– Having a chronic condition can be both physically and emotionally challenging. Embarrassment, anxiety, anger, and depression are common, and kids need to know they are normal, and they can come to you for help. Their provider can also offer additional ways to manage if talking through it at home isn’t enough.
- Caring for Yourself– Caregivers, in general, have a higher prevalence of stress, sleep deprivation, and anxiety. Providing the best care for your child begins with caring for yourself. Take breaks, ensure you get enough sleep, and practice self-care.
Experienced in Ongoing Pediatric Diabetes Management
The Diabetes & Glandular Disease Clinic is committed to providing excellence in pediatric endocrine care. Our physicians are board-certified in pediatrics as well as pediatric endocrinology and metabolism. We bring unique expertise to our patients in the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine system conditions affecting children.
To set up your comprehensive evaluation, call (210) 614-8612 or request an appointment online here.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/tips-to-help-your-child-with-type-1-diabetes
https://helpadiabeticchild.org/the-challenges-of-raising-a-diabetic-child/
