Parents slowly losing their marbles

[ramrummy]

Aren't there any non diabetic parents with diabetic little ones who use this site? The 'childrenwithdiabetes' forum is pretty lifeless at this time. This site is far more interesting, even though the posts are mostly from adults with type 1. I have to do BGLs every 2 hours tonight to test basals and its going to be hard to stay awake.

[JediSkipdogg]

There are quite a few diabetic parents on this site and the #1 that comes to my mind is "Eri's Mom" (that's her forum name.) She has dealt with alot in the diabetes world over the past few months and that of being a mother, it's been hard on her, but she can possibly give some great pointers. I know we have others on here as well, and if you look under people's names when they make a post it says something like.....

JediSkipdogg
Senior Member
I am a: Type 1

^^^^^^^^^^ Some say Parent of Child or Type 2, etc....

[ramrummy]

Thanks, yes I like to check what people have in their profiles, I think that I must just keep them. I'll keep looking as it really is nice to find people who know what its like.

[HollyB]

Hi, I'm a mom and I cruise both forums. I agree this one is interesting and I've learned a lot from the people here! My son's a teenager, so it's like a window into his life to come.

[rzrbks]

:topic:


HollyB

Hi, I'm a mom and I cruise..............

How brave of you to admit this in public. Lol

[HollyB]

Seems to me people have admitted to much worse on this forum... Okay, maybe not MUCH worse. :egg:

[gettingby]

Another parent on here is nantomsuethom. Her son Thomas is on a pump.



Seems to me people have admitted to much worse on this forum... Okay, maybe not MUCH worse. :egg:
LMAO Holly. I resemble that remark. :)

[Mariel's Mom]

I'm a parent of a 6 year old - diagnosed last year. She has been on a pump since May. I monitor this site (and the CWD site.) This site is indeed quite interesting. The people are colorful (sometimes onery - but in a very funny way) and I have learned a lot. (People are very helpful to answer questions).. Plus there are many laugh out loud moments when I read some of the posts. This site gives me hope that Mariel can be OK as she grows up and becomes an adult T1. Unfortunately like you have noticed there really is no content under the parent section which is why I turn to the CWD site. Plus it is very helpful to speak to people who are caring for the "mini" diabetics (although I hate the term diabetic) and experiences dealing with children can be very different based on their "mini"- ness and general childlike behaviors and habits.

Any ideas on how to juice-up the parent section? (oops - maybe juice is the wrong term)

[HollyB]

Maybe we should do more cruising...


Okay, well, here's an actual parenting post that some of you non-parents who have experience with travel etc. might be able to help with? My son's in grade 9, and since his diagnosis a year ago has never been away for more than a couple of days or more than a 2 hour drive away from us.

There's a school music trip this year -- probably to the US, so that's a long way away, in another country, supervised by people with only a rudimentary knowledge of diabetes. Aaron is really competent with this disease, but this still scares me.

So. What can I do in terms of preparation, contingency planning, whatever, to feel more confident that in the event of some kind of emergency or near-emergency things will be handled OK?

[ramrummy]

Maybe we should do more cruising...


Okay, well, here's an actual parenting post that some of you non-parents who have experience with travel etc. might be able to help with? My son's in grade 9, and since his diagnosis a year ago has never been away for more than a couple of days or more than a 2 hour drive away from us.

There's a school music trip this year -- probably to the US, so that's a long way away, in another country, supervised by people with only a rudimentary knowledge of diabetes. Aaron is really competent with this disease, but this still scares me.

So. What can I do in terms of preparation, contingency planning, whatever, to feel more confident that in the event of some kind of emergency or near-emergency things will be handled OK?

Woo, not looking forward to that one, a friend of mine has a 17yr old, was dxd at 12. Basicaly, she says that you don't trust anyone else to be responsible for your child, at least not totally, because they will usually let you down. When her son goes to camp, she writes everything down, sending a copy with the child, and with every teacher going with them, plus leaving a copy at the school and with everyone on the personal contact list. She gets the teacher's mobile numbers and a specific itinerary, then she makes sure that the mobile is fully charged and sends the charger too. Everything is planned to the last detail, it is like a military manouver,but she said that she at least can get a few hours sleep now when he goes away. For someone who likes to think the best of people, I am constantly surprised by people's ignorance and self absorbency.

[Eri's mom]

I used to visit the other site a while ago, now this is the only diabetes site I come to :)
The ppl here are amazing and so caring and so filled with helpful information...

[BriOnH]

Hope you keep all your marbles!! :)

If it's any consellation my mom raised me back when there was urine testing and pork insulin that caused baaad lows at times. She did a FANTASTIC job. I know you can too!!!!!

side note: she is visiting tonight. Man her cooking is the BEST!!

[ramrummy]

Sorry, e1 was a bad night when I sent post and there wasn't anyone to whinge too, oh poor baby LOL. Ok now, getting used to bits of sleep, reminds me of when the kids were newborns - thought I was past that. Anyway, I just wish someone would post something new so I can get the misspelled title off the screen. How come I was able to fix the actual post, but the main title stayed the same?

[Harold]

Fixed the title. Thought you did it on purpose.

[brandon'smom]

I am not a diabetic , but my 11 year old was diagnosed 3 months ago, but Thank God he is not taking no Insulin i am trying to mantain his BS controlling food , but i been noticing moods changes that i guess is affecting his BS specially when he goes with his daddy on everyother weekend. But not sure , i guess i need help !!!

[claysmum]

Hello,
My little guy is 6 yo dx when he was 4. He will be going on the pump in November....finally!! We have been practising infusiion sets and all the other fun stuff.
I am non diabetic and soon will be up at night doing the basals as well...
Talk to you soon.

[Erin]

Maybe we should do more cruising...

Okay, well, here's an actual parenting post that some of you non-parents who have experience with travel etc. might be able to help with? My son's in grade 9, and since his diagnosis a year ago has never been away for more than a couple of days or more than a 2 hour drive away from us.

There's a school music trip this year -- probably to the US, so that's a long way away, in another country, supervised by people with only a rudimentary knowledge of diabetes. Aaron is really competent with this disease, but this still scares me.

So. What can I do in terms of preparation, contingency planning, whatever, to feel more confident that in the event of some kind of emergency or near-emergency things will be handled OK?

How old is grade 9 where you are?

I would say, let him go, let him go, let him go! Make sure he gets to be room mates with a friend of his. You can teach the friend how to administer glucagon, and what signs to look out for. Chances are his friends already know the signs of lows.

Tell the adults to let him do what he needs to do. Pack snacks and money. He will be fine.

The emergency number in the United States is 911. Tell the adults to call it if he loses consciousness.

I didn't get to travel abroad until I was 20 mostly because my parents were nervous. I regret the things I missed sometimes.

My folks followed me to summer camp a few times when I was younger. They didn't stay with me or interfere in any way, they just came to the town where I was, and stayed in a hotel. I never saw them, but the adults in charge of me had my parents phone number, so they could get to me in less than 15 minutes, if there was a problem. (my parents were a little over-protective). Ever want to visit the States? :)

[HollyB]

Thanks Erin! We will definitely let him go -- that's not really in question -- and barring a horrible stomach flu rampaging through the bus I'm sure he will be fine and have a great time. He's only been diagnosed just over a year, but at 14 is already really smart and competent at managing. I'd just like to be fairly fine, too! I really don't want to wake up in the middle of the night thinking, "OH, ****! I should have packed..." or "I should have told his teacher..."

Having him room with a friend who knows a bit about diabetes is a smart idea. I'm thinking a tube of icing gel for the friend to have handy would be a good idea too.

It's actually the flu/food poisoning scenario that freaks me out a bit. I am sure US emergency depts. can deal with barfing diabetics as competently, or not, as their counterparts in Canada (lol) -- but far away seems worse.

PS Sorry, I seem to have completely derailed this thread -- but thanks for the answers anyhow!

[duck]

Thanks Erin! We will definitely let him go -- that's not really in question -- and barring a horrible stomach flu rampaging through the bus I'm sure he will be fine and have a great time. He's only been diagnosed just over a year, but at 14 is already really smart and competent at managing. I'd just like to be fairly fine, too! I really don't want to wake up in the middle of the night thinking, "OH, ****! I should have packed..." or "I should have told his teacher..."

Having him room with a friend who knows a bit about diabetes is a smart idea. I'm thinking a tube of icing gel for the friend to have handy would be a good idea too.

It's actually the flu/food poisoning scenario that freaks me out a bit. I am sure US emergency depts. can deal with barfing diabetics as competently, or not, as their counterparts in Canada (lol) -- but far away seems worse.

PS Sorry, I seem to have completely derailed this thread -- but thanks for the answers anyhow!


I'd be sure and tell every adult that is going on the trip that under NO circumstances will they administer insulin to your kid. I've heard a couple horror stories on this site now where a Type 1 was having "issues" and a "helpful" person administered additional insulin--Not so good if you are low. Make sure the adults know to give sugar if your kid is acting weird, and if there is ANY doubt, call 911/emergency services.

Other than that, let your son go and have fun. It's in your nature to worry, but when he gets back it will be "all good".

[Eri's mom]

I let Eri go on an overnight class trip in 4th grade...it was about 5/6 hours away(from SRQ to St. Augustine, FL)...her best friend was w/ her, who had been to the endo w/ us and had diabetes education from us, and a parent who went was a nurse, and, of course, her teacher knew as well.
I was concerned, but they had my number and I was pretty confident that all would be well. The only problem she had was her teacher wouldn't allow her to have an ice cream from Mc D's...but that was nothing.

This year, she has a 3 day/2night class trip to Quebec, around 5 hours away from here. I have to go with her this time b/c the teacher isn't necessarily too comfortable w/o me going. I think it will be a fun time for both of us though :)

[Mario]

This year, she has a 3 day/2night class trip to Quebec, around 5 hours away from here. I have to go with her this time b/c the teacher isn't necessarily too comfortable w/o me going. I think it will be a fun time for both of us though :)

Hope you'll enjoy your trip in Quebec :wavey:

[dekockc]

Hello - I am also a mom of a 7 year old son with diabetes type 1. I also look at both sites, but find this one much more helpful and lively and supportive. One of the most difficult things for me is that one feels so isolated because no-one (only fellow parents with a type 1 child) knows what it is REALLY like!!

[ramrummy]

Hello - I am also a mom of a 7 year old son with diabetes type 1. I also look at both sites, but find this one much more helpful and lively and supportive. One of the most difficult things for me is that one feels so isolated because no-one (only fellow parents with a type 1 child) knows what it is REALLY like!!

I agree with you about this site, it isn't as busy but the responses are more credible(usually). The advice is usually given by people who have had experience with diabetes a lot longer and they have seen things that the recently diagnosed have not, so they have more credibility. Plus they tend to have had experience with more delivery systems, sales reps, diabetic educators and nurses, so again their advice comes from a more solid grounding. I am finding that people with a little knowledge (and sometimes with a lot of restricted knowledge) are usually keener to try and persuade others that their way is the best way, as though they are seeking reassurance about their own decisions.

I like the way that people here are not 'afraid' to argue with a person's assertions which gives a more comprehensive answer and piece of advice. I admire people who are not 'afraid' to stand up for themselves even if what they are saying is against the party line. The variety of people here is interesting (to say the least) and the help is forthcoming when requested. I suppose its obvious that I like this site better, now, if we can get some parents posting more questions on the 'Parents' forums here.............

[Tim_Roy]

Three helpful suggestions to parents of diabetic kids.

Diabetic camps, diabetic camps, and diabetic camps.

The kid has fun, learns more about diabetes, meets other kids going through the same things as them, and you get to send your kid away (vacation!) in the care of people that know what they're doing.

[ramrummy]

Camps for kids here, at least pre teen, require one parent to go as well, nice idea, but we cant decide who doesn't want to go, lol. No seriously, probably a good idea for older kids.

[momof6]

Three helpful suggestions to parents of diabetic kids.

Diabetic camps, diabetic camps, and diabetic camps.

The kid has fun, learns more about diabetes, meets other kids going through the same things as them, and you get to send your kid away (vacation!) in the care of people that know what they're doing.

One of the nurses at the hosp was in her 30's and also type1, she raved about these camps. Sadly she mentioned that some of them were on dialysis already. My eyes got big, and she assured me it was the ones wheo weren't taking care of themselves..well or should I say parents?! She said they were alot of fun.

btw, I'm new to this site, and new to the world of D, by about a yr. My 4yro was dx last yr, and we're still learning. I wish he didn't have it, but i guess the benefit is that he got it young so he really won't remember what it was like without it, and is less likely to feel 'sorry' for himself when he hits the teen yrs.

[right2fight]

I am very happy to hear that this forum is oh so much more intellignet than especially the ADA PLACE FOR PARENTS. Their claim to fame,"we are a family," certainly not a very warm and fuzzy feeling to a newbie. They are just rude, in my opinion and I hope we are all entitled to opinions here!

[Keezheekoni]

Holly, what city in the US will your son be going to? My thinking is that you might get some good ideas from those who live there as to what hospitals would be best for your son, *if* any problems arise. A lot of the ERs in the US don't really know what to do with diabetic kids (or adults for that matter), and so we could give you a list of doctors that you could even call to find out about their hours and have them and their partners prepared for getting a call at 3 AM...

My son, though not diabetic, went to Canada for a band trip two years ago. I made sure to do what I'm telling you to do, and I felt so much more comfortable letting him go. Now, I'm only 4 hours from where he was in Canada, so I did feel better about letting him be only "that far" from me. My daughter may be going to Hawaii this year for a math competition, and that's freaking me out...and she has NO medical problems. LOL

I would definitely let him go on the trip, and the advice about having him room with someone you've trained is a great idea too!

[HollyB]

That's a great idea, Rikki, thanks. They haven't decided yet, but the contenders range from Boston and New York (the closest) to Atlanta, Georgia. I'll post again for suggestions when I know the location!