In the past 2 years since my sons diagnosis, no one will babysit my son!! Before he was diagnosed, my grandmother(74) watched my son 2 days a week and every once in a while my aunts, cousin or friends would take my son for playdates with their children. Now that he is diagnosed everybody feels uncomfortable taking him because they are afraid to. It is frustrating and very sad for my son. Also my husband doesnt really want to teach anyone to test him or give shots. I am also a T1 but got it at a much older age(8) so I was able to give my own shots and test myself. How young have people taught their children to give their own shots? I didnt start giving mine till I was about 10. I dont want my son to have to miss out on fun things like sleep overs with his friends and cousins!! Any suggestions?
This is a common challenge - not that it makes you feel any better!
Can you son do his own BG checks - I taught my son just before he turned 5. If he can do that - he should be able to go on play dates for at least a couple hours - even if it means you bring along a snack that is just free foods or stuff to treat lows. Then tell the parent to have him test every hour. I usually write it down on an index card and put it in his meter case. And I just will treat any high BG. I do not end up telling them every bad thing that could happen if he went low (seizure, death) I just have them test enough that the likely hood is rare. I also don't bring or tell them to use glucagon. I do say that if something happens and they can't get me on my cell that they should just call 911.
You could see if your son can give his own shot now. Maybe he would try it after a little encouragement - then if it was for a longer period of time, you could draw up the shot beforehand and tell the parent - this is what he needs to eat.
I do like having the pump for this reason - it is a lot easier to teach someone to operate the pump since it is simpler than most cell phones. Then they don't have to deal with the psychological issue of needles. Just something else to consider.
I would babysit for you if I we a wee bit closer! :( {I'm iin missouri}
Rose, I can understand your frustration.
My daughter was diagnosed at 10 and starting giving herself shots within about 2 weeks. I think five is probably too young to really start though because there's the important matter of drawing the right amount of insulin, and I don't think most five year olds are ready for that. Will you be able to get your son on a pump soon? This will make his care much easier to manage.
As far as babysitting, I'd suggest getting involved in JDRF/ADA in your area. See if there are message boards for local families with T1 (and start one if there isn't). Look for teenagers with T1 or those involved in sibling care. My oldest daughter is 19 and she's anxious to find some T1 kids to babysit for because she has a very soft spot for all they go through. She's an expert at carb counting, and knows how to give shots and program a pump. Someone like this would be ideal for you so you and your spouse can have some time off. Or maybe try contacting local colleges and see if you can get a reference for some T1 college students?
As far as sleepovers, what we've done is cultivated a strong relationship with only a couple of my daughter's best friends parents (those who were interested in learning and being responsible). And those are the homes she allowed to have sleepovers. We gave them the pink panther book to read (at their request). Sarah is allowed to sleep over, now that they understand the rules; i.e. testing before any meal, calling me whenever her numbers aren't in the happy range, and no late treats. Honestly, I still freak out a little having her anywhere but home, but she's slept at her friends house several times and it's been fine. - note that this was a little bit of an issue recently when another good friend invited her to an overnight birthday party. I had to tell her no because I didn't really know the parents. She was pretty disappointed, so what we did was invite the birthday girl and one other friend to spend the night at our house the next weekend and we had another little party. This was the perfect solution and Sarah's disappointment at not going to the original sleepover was wiped away.
Good luck!
Our 4 year old just started doing her blood sugar checks on her own, well supervised of course.
My mother is my day care provider so while we were in the hospital i insisted that she come and be trained by the nurses along with me. She is the one who calls the diabetes clinic most of the time since she is the one who has my daughter when they are open.
For my other family I have trained them. I spend time with them when I'm in charge, and then I start having them do things when I'm there to walk them through. they see that Ava isn't afraid of doing sugar checking and of her shots, why should they be afraid. For shots I have our family call me and I give them the doses which makes it easier on them.
We did start using a girl who is 15 to watch my kids so we can go out to dinner once a month. Her mother is type 2 so at least she is comfortable with the sugar checking and what to look for in lows. I always make sure I do dinner for the kids, and give my oldest her shot, then all she has to do is check her sugar and call me in an emergency. I just leave my blue tooth in the whole time we are gone, and that way we still get our date night. The first few times were a little scary but she does a good job and my girls really like her.
[quote user="Michelle"]As far as babysitting, I'd suggest getting involved in JDRF/ADA in your area. See if there are message boards for local families with T1 (and start one if there isn't). Look for teenagers with T1 or those involved in sibling care. My oldest daughter is 19 and she's anxious to find some T1 kids to babysit for because she has a very soft spot for all they go through. [/quote]
This is a great idea, and something I've never thought of before. I've had T1 for 24 years, and both my kids are grown and on their own, so I would be very happy to be able to watch a child who is T1 for parents who just need a night out.
Have you thought about getting onto an insulin pump? That will eliminate the need for injections and calm some fears. We had the same problems and once we switched to a pump, it was amazing the freedom and tighter control on BGs it allowed. We use the wireless pump called OmniPod. There are those that have said it has issues but ALL pumps have a glitch or kink to work out. Also, check out a website called "WarrenRetrievers.com" these are diabetic alert dogs that sense the change is BG quicker and more accurately than any machine. The owner is a wonderful man and the cost is a non issue since they help with fundraising!! Plus, you get the dog before its paid off - now what organization can say they are truly doing it for the children more than this one? I hope this helps.
Thank you for all of the suggestions and comments. I appreciate them all and am greatful for the insight into other peoples ways of dealing with diabetes. At this time I'm not sure that the pump is the best option for my son right now because he sometimes refuses to eat or starts to eat and will only take a few bites :-( It is a very frustrating thing to deal with because we have to wait till he is done eating before we can give any insulin because we are not sure what or when he is going to eat.The alert dog is an amazing thing!! I wish we had the ability to house a dog but right now we dont. Its good advice for the futur though...If we can ever afford our own house lol
I can completely sympathize with you, Rose! My 2 1/2 y/o daughter was just diagnosed Type I last month and my family and friends seem completely overwhelmed by it - and frozen into inaction over it. Her diabetes specialist's office offers a class on basic Type I care, etc. - I had to enroll my parents (her only babysitters) in it and just tell them when to show up! My husband is also very opposed to anyone else dosing or giving her insulin injections. We are also bound to giving/dosing insulin (Apidra) after she eats b/c she is SO picky and you can't ever predict what or how much she will eat of what you present her with.
I started doing my own shots at 5, but still needed an adult to double check I'd drawn the dose up right. Glucose meters weren't around until I was 8.
There are a ton of good, general diabetes books that might help with your family and friend's fears.
Could you time your son's visit so it's not when he needs a shot and just take a break from testing. A lot of us lived for years with no tests and just a shot of long acting once a day. I know it's not ideal, but it's totally possible to do this occasionally.
lRose,
How ironic you posted this on my daughter's bday. Anyway, we were in the same situation.. actually even now that my daughter is school age, we have plenty of issues with the school itself. Love the idea that someone posted about looking through JDRF/ADA for college students willing to watch your son. I live in a very rural area and the daycares didn't want to take our child either. We were told to contact the state. They can force a facility to take a diabetic as it's discrimination.
Update: The day that I posted this. I started letting my son test his own bg!!! He doesnt always want to do it and thats fine I dont force him. I give him the option. I am also now giving him the option to inject his own shot!! I am right there with him at all times. He has only wanted to give a shot twice. Last night he wanted to give his shot and a little blood came out after and he didnt like that. So I dont know if he is going to want to do that for a while. I dont want him to feel like he has to do OR can not do anything that he wants to.
Kylie03mom...Wow Im shocked that they would say that to you!! It is discrimination! I hope that you work out your issues with the school. It took the whole first year that my son was in preschool to work out the kinks. Now he is going to start kindergarden in the fall and we are going to have to start all over with a new school :-(
[quote user="Michelle"]Honestly, I still freak out a little having her anywhere but home, but she's slept at her friends house several times and it's been fine. [/quote][quote user="Michelle"]
As far as sleepovers, what we've done is cultivated a strong relationship with only a couple of my daughter's best friends parents (those who were interested in learning and being responsible).[/quote]
My daughter was just diagnosed in November 2010 at age 11. She started doing her testing and injections in the hospital. She will not do her Lantus, though, which is fine. We are SO lucky that our school district has been super supportive and helpful. We are also fortunate to have full-time school nurses at each of the schools who are very educated about T1. I have subbed in the district and there are several T1 kids in each school......who, over the years, have taught me SO much.
We have done the same with sleepovers. Her good friends have been very supportive and stuck by her. There are just a couple of their homes that I feel really comfortable letting her sleep over at. We know the parents, they are not freaked out, and are very realistic and supportive. Our daughter is comfortable with them, too. She's just never been a big fan of sleeping away from home.
It's hard, because my sister wants my daughter to come stay with her about 2 hours away. She wanted to know that my daughter would know "what to do" and would feel comfortable calling or texting me if there were problems. I told her, yes, but SHE needs to be educated and know what to look for, etc. My daughter won't be going until that happens.
She's also ready to babysit, but now worried that some people may not want her to because of D, but our neighbor is already tapping her to watch their toddler occasionally........so that's a confidence booster for her!
I think, ultimately, we as parents are always going to have concerns and reservations in certain situations. We have to go with our gut and educate where we can.
Ann4-
As a kid I was never turned down for a babysitting job because of my diabetes. And by the time I was 15 I was hired to work as a daycamp counselor and in college worked 2 summers as a camp counselor in Washington state and Colorado. My diabetes never prevented me from taking care of the kids or handling the physical demands of the job. Of course I had to be prepared and I always let my co-workers know I had D in case I needed help. Make sure your daughter knows to test a lot when she's taking care of kids because it's easy to get distracted and miss a low.
The only thing your sister really needs to know is that if your child is acting weird and she doesn't know what to do, give her sugar. High blood sugars won't kill you but a low will. This link for the Pink Panther Diabetes book might be helpful to her too to help her understand the basics of diabetes management aren't hard. http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/centers/BarbaraDavis/OnlineBooks/books/Pages/UnderstandingDiabetes.aspx
Try not to be too overprotective with your daughter. Diabetes is an art, not a science. One of the coolest things about diabetes is that it requires you to deal with all of the unexpected variables in life. While that can be a challenge, in the long run it will help your daughter to be a quick and creative problem solver.
Take care. -Jenna
[quote user="jennagrant"]
The only thing your sister really needs to know is that if your child is acting weird and she doesn't know what to do, give her sugar. High blood sugars won't kill you but a low will.
[/quote]
Best advice ever! :-) And so simple. This is basically what I've told Sarah's teachers and our family. Of course we always try to test, but if she was on an excursion and forgot/broke her meter - just give sugar. I'm happy to work out correcting a high blood sugar later. Besides, I don't think most kids with diabetes act "loopy" when they're high, just low.
Have you thought of having them come over to your house, have them look after your son while you are there. You can teach them what they need to know in a relaxed, stress free environment. They will see that it is no big deal and hopefully things will return to normal.
Best of luck.
Cora