[Injecto]

Anyone here who was diagnosed while you were a parent, specifically of little children? I know there are (of course, anyone can pipe up with their thoughts).

I'm just feeling somewhat untrustworthy of being a parent right now. I feel as if I should not be left alone with my children for any time for fear of going low and not being able to treat myself. I've lost faith in my ability to be a father, because of diabetes.

As an example, and it's happened twice now. I'll go out and play catch (baseball) with my eldest daughter (7) out across the street. She'll be throwing me the ball and I'm running all over the place to catch her throws (she tries hard but you know, she's 7, so the ball goes everywhere you can imagine, even behind her at times LOL). Well, I've gone low twice while doing this. Once, I went down to 2.6. My knees gave out (as my legs getting weak is always a sign for me). I felt dizzy and I was really worried for a bit. I made it back to the front porch and told her to get inside and get me my stuff and some sugar. I just felt like such a loser and waste of a father at that point in time. Here I am, 32, and I'm all of a sudden too weak to get my own stuff. All I could picture is me passing out on the street with my daughter. There was no being a parent then. Now, that was with only one of my kids. Imagine the same thing if I'm with all three, alone.

Anyone else feel this way ever?

[Gary_W]

I have two children, one is 5 and one is just under a year.

My take on this is that you cannot be afraid of hypos. I am lucky enough to get decent warning signs, and I think that is something you have to work on if you ever care for kids alone / drive a car / do anything else that could harm others. I like to run low but if ever it meant I needed to rely on someone elses help then I'd rethink my goals.

If you have always been able to help yourself when a hypo turns up, why are you worried? With your 7 year old, involve her. If I'm going out alone with my 5 year old, she carries Daddie's sweet stuff in case I 'go dodgy' as she charmingly puts it and she really gets a kick out of that responsibility. It makes up for the odd occasion where I'm playing with her at the park and have to sit down for a while and shake. Whilst I wish that didn't happen and would rather be able to keep playing with her at that point, I know I'm a great dad and that worrying about what you cannot change is the best way to madness. She knows I can't help it, so do I and we all just get on with it.

Your kids won't remember you having to take 10 mins out for reasons you can't help. They will remember you getting upset about it, and as that's the bit you can change I would say keep a happy face and don't beat yourself up.

Just my .02 cents (Canadian!)

Gary

[Chris Graham]

Hi Injecto,
I am getting ready to have my first baby at the end of June, and these thoughts have crossed my mind.

I hate the idea of having to train her how to call 911, just in case.

One of my biggest motivations in staying healthy is not being a burden on my family and friends.

All I can suggest it when going out to play, have a quick snack or some juice. You can always correct a high when you are done playing if needed. Also, carry some glucose tabs with you at all times.

I'm sure you are a great parent, hang in there!

[notme]

Injecto, I understand. When I was diagnosed I had five small children. The youngest was just two and the oldest was ten. I was VERY concerned about driving a car with my children next to me. I constantly tested and knew I would feel terrible if anything ever happened. Nothing ever did.

My kids got used to the lows and I took the opportunity to teach my children about dialing 911. My kids knew the importance of getting me food if I needed it and accepted it as part of who I was. Luckily, I never had an emergency and they never had to call for help.

Play with your daughter and keep some candy in your pocket. Your daughter will understand your need to stop for a few minutes to have some candy or a drink of soda.

Your a GREAT parent. In my book you are no loser. You are an involved parent who loves your daughter. How can that be bad?

[caswellhb]

My father was T1. I remember many times when my dad would go hypo in my company (shows the type of kid I was) and because I had learnt at an early age, I would trot off and get what he needed and he would be fine. If we went out anywhere together he would make sure we were both carrying something that would help.
Now that I am D I am so glad he made me aware at an early age.

Heather.

[TeeJaxx]

I had a very similar incident. I was in a line up at a check out with my son (9). all of a sudden, I was dizzy, sweaty, feeling weird and the room started spinning. Luckily, I had some glucose pills in my pocket, and I took a couple. Afterwards, I thought "what would my son have done if I had passed out?" He probably would have been terrified. After that, I sat him down and we talked about how I felt, and what he should do if that ever happens. He has been very aware of my diabetes, and sees my meds and sees me taking my blood. He knows to call 911, and to inform the medics that I am diabetic. It gives me a little bit of piece of mind. I'm planning a 3 day camping trip with my son this summer, and I admit I'm a little nervous.
My suggestion is to talk with your children about your situation. Their reactions might surprise you.
Don't beat yourself up as a father. The fact that you were even playing catch with your daughter means you're a caring dad!

[Keezheekoni]

All of my kids have been trained from the time they were around 3 years-old how to call 911 if they can't wake me up. Then around age 6 they are taught how to use glucagon. They know how to check my bgs at around 7 or 8 and know where all of my stuff is. They also know how to rip out a set (better than teaching them how to suspend, just in case...I'd rather lose a set than have them do something incorrect in a panic.)

I do get low when playing with my kids...however I've only ever had them run and get me my glucose tablets. They've never had to do anything else. I usually feel better within 10 minutes, so then we just continue on playing, or we decide it's time to eat.

The biggest thing I've learned is that if we're going out to play for something that's going to be quite physical, I'll eat something with a lot of protein first. A quick, high protein snack, seems to keep me going pretty well during playtime.

You're not a bad dad! Don't ever think that. Just because you're diabetic, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the way you parent your kids! Who knows, too, that one of your children may end up becoming a doctor because they helped you come out of a low once or twice.