by Gabe Willows

Created on: May 30, 2008   Last Updated: June 13, 2008

When your child has diabetes, you will face many challenges. As a parent, you are not only managing the psychology, blood sugar levels, carbohydrates and insulin injections, but also the misconceptions of others around your child. Here's a few tips to help deal with some common issues:

1. It is not your fault! Remember these words because that feeling surfaces now and then. A common misconception that's often heard is, "What did you do; feed your child too much sugar?" You have two choices, either get angry or educate them. Most people will lump Juvenile diabetes and Type Two diabetics in the same big category. If the truth be known, most people don't realize that Juvenile diabetes is caused by an over active immune system that kills beta cells. Type two diabetes is caused by exhausted insulin making cells from the over consumption of carbohydrates.

2. Educate the school. Every teacher that teaches your child needs to be aware that your child is diabetic. The diabetic Association can provide a sheet that shows the illustrated symptoms of a child having low blood sugar. Make sure to tell the teachers that your child must be given the liberty to treat the symptoms without having to wait for their attention. At a very early age, diabetic children learn to discern when they are having low blood sugar. Make sure you emphasis the severity of the condition, most schools know the severity of anaphylactic children but may overlook the diabetics.

3. Allow your child to join sports teams. Speak to the coach and assure them that this is a healthy activity essential to lowering blood sugar. Most coaches will be nervous about having that responsibility but, be supportive and soon the coach will find that these children are extremely independent a responsible.

4. Sleep-overs and birthday parties are the most difficult of all social interactions there are. Remember to respond to invites by speaking to the parent and educating the parent about dietary restrictions with quantities that they understand, tell them how prepared your child is to treat themselves and what to do to help treat an emergency. Don't ever expect another parent to give an injection, so be sure to make yourself available. A lot of times the child will be left out of such activity and there really isn't much a parent can do except trying to get to know other parents in the school community. This social networking often opens the door to invites.

5. Teach your child how to cope with going out. Take them to restaurants

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>