Parenting a child with T1D
Your role as the parent of a child with type 1 diabetes is to help them build the skills to manage it someday on their own.
Support and empower your child
The day your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) will change everything about your role as a parent. You’ll likely experience feelings of guilt, anxiety, and fear in those early weeks and months—but your child’s future is still filled with just as many possibilities, now with T1D along for the journey.
Remember, this is your child’s condition. Your role as the parent is to help them build the skills to manage it someday on their own. You’re both going to make mistakes. You’ll worry when they’re in charge and things don’t go as smoothly, but learning how to stay positive during those frustrating moments is part of the skills they’re developing. Your child needs to know you’re always on their team and proud of them, even when they’re struggling.
Find your community
While there will be many days when the work of supporting your child will feel scary and lonely, remember that you are not alone. There is a tremendous network of families across the USA connected by Breakthrough T1D.
Find a chapter, get involved, and meet other families who understand exactly what you’re going through. The more people your child meets who are also living with type 1 diabetes, the more they will realize that they are not alone!
Take a positive approach
While you are surely heartbroken over the diagnosis, this is a critical time to help shape how your child views this new challenge in their life. The way you talk to your child about their diabetes can affect how they feel and manage it.
Don’t let pity shape your child’s diagnosis. People living with T1D accomplish incredible things every single day. They hike Mount Everest, have families, compete in athletic events, star in movies, become CEOs, and so much more! Help them see that T1D won’t get in their way if they don’t let it.
Take it day by day
There is so much to learn, and you don’t have to learn it all today. Insulin management takes years to understand deeply.
Never react to blood-glucose levels with judgment or alarm
Every blood-glucose level is just information. Teach your child to see the number, consider the factors that led to it, take action to correct it if needed, and keep going.
Low blood-glucose levels can be scary, but you can teach your child to manage them calmly and thoughtfully, too. This will help prevent destructive habits like binge eating during lows as they age.
Avoid restrictive dieting mentalities
People with T1D are more likely to develop eating disorders because of their hyper-focus on nutrition. You can minimize this risk by supporting your child through a flexible approach to eating. Avoid labeling foods as “bad” or “good.” Your child does not need to go on a restrictive diet. Instead, it’s about learning how to bolus insulin for meals and striving to eat a balanced diet. This takes time.
Encourage your child to stay active
Exercising with T1D can be tricky, but learning and practice will help. Keep your child involved in their favorite sports but ask their healthcare team to give you guidance on preventing lows and highs during recess, practices, and games. Learning how to manage insulin and exercise takes time!
Get emergency glucagon
While you’re learning to manage insulin, you may face moderate-to-severe hypoglycemia. Emergency glucagon is a naturally occurring hormone that reverses low blood sugar when a person cannot eat or drink. Make sure your child’s endocrinologist prescribes one of today’s single-step glucagon options, and get that prescription filled!
Educate friends, family, and school administrators
This takes patience and persistence, but the more people who learn how to support your child with T1D, the safer your child will be. You may also want to establish a 504 Plan for your child which can ensure they get necessary support—like retaking a test if hypoglycemia strikes during class or getting an extension on an assignment if they were struggling with pump failures and ketones.
More parenting and relationship guidance
Helping your child through this time of transition and getting ready for adulthood.
Learn how to support your child’s participation in activities and time with friends.
Openness, honesty, and trust are key to successful relationships—especially with type 1 diabetes.
Things to consider when discussing your condition with others.
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