[Dina]

I was diagnosed at age 4 and I have to admit that from the ages of 16 till just recently i really didn't take that good of care of myself I had the most supportive friends and family (as I am sure you are for your 15 year old) here are a few things that started to make me take care of myself

A person that now doesn't have a leg due to not taking care of himself- told me that even though I feel fine now in the long run the side effects of diabetes will catch up to me...I mean imagine losing a leg

Another thing that happend...and this was the most intense..is
my family talked to me- most of them cried! they told me that me having diabetes affects all of them because they love me. They told me how they worry day and night, and how I need to take better care of myself, and stop being self-fish, because it is not always about me, but about the people that are in my life that love me! Now, they compliment me on how well I am taking care of myself

It really takes 20 seconds OR LESS to check your bs and write it down! I don't think you are asking to much

[toriavic]

I am 21 now and I don't log my blood sugar either and I never really did- my mother always did it for me until I took control of things as I got older. I've made a promise to myself to start writing things down- it is the only way to see what insulin dose is working best.
But I do always carry my insulin with me everywhere and I test my blood sugar as often as possible. As long as you can make sure she tests her blood, then you can write down her numbers for her because most monitors keep a record of the last 20 times she tested with the time. When I was 15 I was out of control with my blood sugar and I could have caused damage had I not grown out of that phase of my life. I also switched to lantus at 15 and it saved me because I had to worry so much less about fluctuating blood sugars throughout the day. I never wanted to wear a pump because at 15 it didn't fit in with my wardrobe! But tell your daughter that testing her blood sugar is so extremely important for her not to have poor control later on in life. I was also very embarassed to tell my friends at that age that I was a diabetic which I think was a mistake. Encourage her to inform her friends- I found that when i did begin to tell my friends they either didn't care or were supportive- no one will think negatively of her for it-
The best advice I can give is don't let her control things herself unless she is going to make an effort to do it properly-an example being if she wanted to stay out until a certain time tell her she can't unless she is going to test her blood- even if she hates you for it- she will thank you when she gets older- I didn't understand how hard it was for my mother at that age but I do now and I really appreciate it

[lindapumping]

Ok, I am at that place where my 16 year old daughter who has had diabetes since she was 2 1/2 is learning how to drive! Its very scary, i am forever worried that she will go low not have a drink box handy etc. So i am already putting all the mechanics in place to make sure that she has everything in the car before she goes any where, i am stressing testing before driving (but you know once they get the license you can't be with them all the time, any advice suggestions?

thanks linda

[kstreeter513]

Your daughter is 16 now. She is growing up an becoming an adult. Along with this maybe you should back off her a little bit. Not trying to sound harsh here, but at 16 she need to be taking some responsibility for herself. If she can't remember or is too lazy to make sure she has the items in her car to be a safe responsible driver, then she should not be allowed to drive. However if she can prove that she is adult enough to ensure her (not to mention the other drivers on the road) safety, then you may want to let her take more control of her own life. How else will she learn to live on her own? Sorry, but the fact is that you won't be there for her forever, and 16 is plenty old enough to take responsibility for one's self.

[RobiJo]

Originally Posted by kstreeter513

Your daughter is 16 now. She is growing up an becoming an adult. Along with this maybe you should back off her a little bit. Not trying to sound harsh here, but at 16 she need to be taking some responsibility for herself. If she can't remember or is too lazy to make sure she has the items in her car to be a safe responsible driver, then she should not be allowed to drive. However if she can prove that she is adult enough to ensure her (not to mention the other drivers on the road) safety, then you may want to let her take more control of her own life. How else will she learn to live on her own? Sorry, but the fact is that you won't be there for her forever, and 16 is plenty old enough to take responsibility for one's self.

Ohhh. Now there's a thought... Keeping a1c in line, numbers in line (or proof of testing--downloading meter etc.) in order to get an keep your license. I wish my parents would have thought of that.

[HollyB]

I know we can't always know for sure that our kids are testing before driving. But you can sure insist on it during the practise driving period (a year in Ontario), just like seatbelts. As far as I'm concerned, driving without testing and having supplies in the car is in the same ballpark as driving after drinking -- it's not just yourself you may be hurting, but other people. Not OK.

There are a couple of stories on this forum, if you can find them, of people who had some very frightening near-miss experiences becoming disoriented after going low while driving. You might dig them up and have your daughter read them. Because, you know, it's so easy at that age to just think, "I'm fine. Nothing's going to happen!"

[Tattoo azz]

I have to agree on the last two posts, also i've had t1 for 25 years now and during my teens i failed to keep logs (sometimes i just used to make them up so my mum wouldn't yell, but the doc always new cos the numbers didn't match with the A1C, lol stoopid azz again). If she hasn't got a meter which connects to the pc get her an ultrasmart but only on the understanding that if her numbers aren't under control then you'll take away something, like pc time for example, ultrasmarts are about £19 ish without the tax. Also, is your daughter a member of DF? It may help her to understand a bit more if she can read for herself the mistakes lots of us long time D's have made rather than have you tell her (i know you love and care a lot for her but when i was a teen i just didn't listen to anyone who didn't have 'D' even my doc).
Hope things get better soon
Azz

[volleyball]

Not having to deal with type 1 but being a parent, My only ideas is to maybe make a deal, test often, show me your numbers and if they are ok, maybe logging is not needed.
I could see where having to log separates her from the crowd she is so desperately trying to be a part of.
I am glad to see a transfer of responsibility to the teen, Actually, I think as soon as they become a teen, it should start. My little just got out of college and many of her friends are so scared of being an adult because up until the day they left for college, they were babied. Parents bailing them out throughout college and now the parents say off with you, you are an adult.
The license thing is an excellent thing if the kid is into driving.
Make a deal, she can shave her head if she keeps a log book, what ever works.

[HollyB]

I actually keep Aaron's log book for him. He does pretty much everything else (except order his own supplies, which are on my credit card lol) and it's a tedious job guaranteed to be hated by a teenage boy. I'm happy to do it and it allows me to keep an eye on how his numbers are without having to constantly ask. And not sure if there's research to back it up, but the current thinking among leading pediatric professionals is that that continued involvement/support of parents tends to protect teens from "burnout" and encourage better control. (even when they claim to be irritated by it.)

Well before he leaves home we'll be getting the software so he can download his meter onto a logging program. At that point he'll be in charge, since he has the PC (Plea to meter companies: mac-compatible software, please!).

[weejules83]

hi there i really feel for you as my toddler was diagonosed last year and this is one of my fears as he grows up whether or not he will look after himself properly hopefully its just a stage shes going through and shell come round.

[jackmcmanus21]

its tough being a parent knowing that control is out of your hands

[terryok123]

there are many solutions out there .. i have posted in the past that i use product found on the American Diabetes Assocition website which uploads all my data without having to write it down. it was free for me with a cable.

it works for me.. Please DO NOT quit on yourself MANAGEMENT IS KEY!!

[Chappo]

My teenage years were awful in terms of control. I didn't see an endo from age 12-15, and i don't want to say what my A1c was when i went back.

For me, being aware of the Diabetes community, being more aware of complications, and then more recently through my job (i have to be seen to be under good control to be able to lobby & advocate for it :p), i really took control.

I'm not saying to scare the living daylights out of your daughter, but it sounds like she needs to know what can and most probably will happen if she doesn't take a good stance against it.

It certainly is a hard time to get through. Luckily i was diagnosed at 3, so i always had a good grasp (except for early teen years).

If you like, drop me a PM - i'd love to see if i can help in anyway.

Take care,
Alex