Hearing the news that your child has diabetes can be very emotional and heart-wrenching. While it is not easy to cope with, there are strategies that you can implement that will help your child have the same basic experiences as anyone else their age. This article will provide you with advice to help you manage your child’s disease effectively.
The first thing that you should focus on is adjusting your child’s diet, although you should speak with their doctor before implementing any changes. It is important to pay attention to carbohydrates; while they provide the energy that your child needs, they can also have an impact on their blood sugar level. Include carbohydrates in your child’s meal plan, but do so in moderation. Also be aware of processed foods; they can add carbohydrates to your child’s meals, and you may not even be aware of it. Try to only cook natural meats, like chicken breasts, and focus on things like beans, eggs and plain yogurt.
You also do not need to eliminate sugar completely from your child’s diet. Just be careful about what they eat; give them time to figure out the way that different foods make them feel and then go from there. Remember that there is sugar in fruit, soda, milk and yogurt, in addition to sweets. Teach your child about eating these foods in moderation.
If your child attends school, it is important to meet with the staff each school year to create a specific plan for your child. For example, your child may need medication during the school day; the plan will outline who is to give the medicine and at what time they are supposed to do so. This meeting will also provide you with the opportunity to talk about your child’s specific needs and any concerns that you have about their diagnosis. Do not assume that just because you have met with the school staff once that you do not need to do so again; every time your child is assigned a new teacher, it is vital to set up a meeting to speak with him or her.
If your child needs insulin shots or blood glucose checks, there are several things that you can do to make the situation more bearable. Try to distract your child while the procedure is taking place; have them talk to you about a favorite television show or video game. Remain upbeat and let your child know how proud you are of him or her for being so strong and brave. If your child is nervous about what is happening, teach them some strategies for managing anxiety. For example, the two of you could breathe in and out deeply together several times.
Every parent wants their child to have the best life possible. While diabetes is a condition that can make some aspects of life difficult or uncomfortable, there are things that can be done to combat the negative effects of the disease. Put the information in this article to good use, and begin helping your child today!