I hate Valentines Day

Type 1 and LADA Parents of Children with Type 1 Diabetes
#1

I was relieved the other day when another Mom used this avenue to vent about the frustrations of being a parent of a type 1 child. So for the very special occasion of "V - Day" I thought I would take the opportunity to do the same.

I am the proud parent of a type 1 little boy (5) dx 5/24/2011. This is our 2nd valentines day. Every holiday is hard, but valentines seems to be a little harder than the rest.

I have such good control and then a holiday crops up and I have to rethink my strategy. What am I going to feed my little guy that will make him feel like part of the group, but not make his bs go through the roof.

People look at me like why can't you just give him some more insulin and let him eat what everyone else is eating. But you see "people", type 1 is not like type 2 where you can just take a pill and the blood sugars are all back to normal. You can't (or shouldn't) give your child whatever he wants to eat, for one because his blood sugar will go on a roller coaster AND its not healthy for him and two he is still a little boy whose body treats calories and fat just like the rest of our bodies do and I have to take that into consideration.

I wish people would be more considerate of those of us with Type 1 kiddos. I am sick of people looking at me like I am micromanaging my son - I want to say to them "You try being your child's pancreas, trying to manage the intake of food to balance blood sugars out so he can be normal and then see how you manage."

I just want to take my kiddo away when all of this hoopla about candy, sweets and goodies starts up.

I know I am not alone, and hope that my rant was consoling to at least one other parent who is feeling the same way.

Thanks for listening.

#2

Your rant is justified, warranted and totally understandable. I have enough trouble managing my own diabetes -- just the thought of having to manage it for a child who can't do it himself is overhwelming. Personally I think parents who manage their child's diabetes deserve a medal and then some.

I must (gently) correct a misconception, though. Type 2s can't simply "take a pill and the blood sugars are back to normal." You can take a pill, all right, but you'd better eat at the same time or you'll go low just like anybody else. In fact a very great many of us can't get control that way at all and must use insulin. Personally I use anywhere from 10 to 20 units daily of two different types.

#3

I hate Halloween!

Like David said, your rant is completely justified. I think Hallmark should create a diabetic friendly holiday!What my mom went through when I was diagnosed (at 14) was not the level of care you have at with your young son, but with dispelling similar rumors. Pasta dinners for lacrosse and track were a pain in the butt!

I think what you have to keep in mind is that you are doing the best for your child. If people are unwilling to listen or accept what you have to say, it's their loss, not yours. And, you are building the foundation for helping your child successfully manage his diabetes one day.

#4

People either think you're doing too much, or not enough. Parents of kids with diabetes have an unbelievable task. Defy anyone to try it for a day.

Didn't realize Valentine's Day was that geared to kids, especially little children. Wasn't when I was one, other than exchanging cards. No candy or parties.

In ways, T2 is a lot more challening. Neither type is easier.

#5

4th of July is pretty diabetes friendy! Fireworks, lower carb grilled stuff, more fireworks!

#6

I know I can't understand what parents go through, but as for food-related holidays my feeling is always: Start your own tradition! It will be a lot more meaningful than ones that are solely food based. For example Thanksgiving I decided to stay home since I don't eat turkey, or pies and hate football! So I sent each of the people I'm close to an e-mail telling them what I liked about them. Everyone loved it! (Of course that's not a renewable tradition but I'll come up with something else next year)

#7

When I was a ten year old, my mom was the room mother. It was a very different diabetic world in 1963 and she had no real idea what to do. But she tried--cookies for the class with juice and fruit cut up and jammed into a pillsbury biscuit (so it looked like a cookie) for my with unsweetened ice tea. All I remember now is how HARD she tried.

My favorite, however, was Easter when I got a basket (remember that I was 10) with the fake "grass". The basket was filled with multi colored soap balls and I HATED it. It is now one of my fondest memories of my mom--she tried and I have been a successful Type 1 for 50 years, so I hope she understands how successful her effort was.