DIABETES IN CHILDREN: YOUR OWN FEELINGS ABOUT DIABETES

How do you feel yourself about diabetes?

As a parent, you may want to consider quite carefully what attitude you should adopt towards your child who has diabetes. Before you can do this, you may first want to consider your own feelings about diabetes. Probably you felt considerably distressed when you first learnt your child had this condition. This is natural and you should discuss diabetes fully with your doctor at this time. However with realization that diabetes can be treated successfully, and the sight of your child returning to normal health and activities, this anxiety will gradually give way to acceptance. Not only your child, but also you as a parent must come to terms with diabetes. If parents cannot do this, they will have difficulty in helping their child do so.

This is in fact an important task; for you as a parent to help your child accept his or her diabetes.

Avoid pity

A natural reaction of most parents is one of sympathy for their child when they contemplate the prospect of lifetime insulin injections and diet restriction.

Perhaps you have worried about your child having to face the possibility of illness and insulin reactions, of the stigma of a chronic disorder, and having to fit in with school and social life.

Your child needs you to express confidence about him

However you will realize the need to try to resolve these anxieties so that they do not upset your child. He will be helped best if you can express confidence; confidence in his health, in your own ability to cope with his treatment, and confidence in the future.

Naturally you will feel sympathetic, but you must face the fact that pity will not help your child. The child needs his parents to care about him, but not ever to pity him. He wants his parents to know what he has to put up with in the way of needles and restrictions, but not to feel sorry for him because of it.

Other relatives can help too

You may wonder how to talk to grandparents, who may also be upset or worried about diabetes.

Avoid special attentions and favours.

In your discussion with relatives, you may point out that special favours and fussing will be harmful in the long run – and not fair to the child’s brothers and sisters either. Relatives, who tend to reward children with sweets and cakes and special puddings when they visit, will want to think of other methods of giving treats – perhaps savory foods, outings and games may replace sugary foods – and be better for all the family.

That is not saying that children with diabetes must be denied all party foods and sweets. Low calorie soft drinks, ice-cream, chocolate, jellies, pies, cocktail sausages can all be taken at parties provided allowance is made where necessary. Discuss this with your dietitian.

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