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If you have a child with diabetes, the only thing you can count on is change. It might seem as if you're dealing with an entirely different person each year or even every few months. Although most of these kids have type 1 diabetes, a growing number are facing type 2 at earlier ages. Wherever your child falls on the spectrum, it's important to get support. Other families going through similar experiences are a great resource, as is your diabetes specialist. A few considerations:
Toddlers and preschoolers. This is an age when kids are notoriously picky about their food; adding an eating plan to the picture makes it all the more challenging. The best approach is to try not to make food an issue. Make a variety of foods available so she'll have some choices, and don't urge her to eat if she's not hungry. If she needs to get something down to keep her blood sugar steady, offer some fruit juice or milk instead.
Children at this age also might not be able to understand symptoms of low blood glucose or be able to communicate them well—so you'll probably need to do blood-glucose checks more frequently. No child likes fingersticks or having insulin injections, but you can make them easier to administer by linking them with a reward, such as a sticker after each "poke" that can be collected and redeemed for nonfood treats.
School-age kids. Once a child with diabetes enters school, the teachers, school nurses, coaches and other support staff become partners in his care. Inform them on a need-to-know basis. Your child might not want anyone to know about his diabetes, because he wants to "fit in"; use your best judgment.
Many food-centered activities are part and parcel of American childhood, including birthday parties, Halloween, and holiday events. Your child shouldn't have to be excluded because he has diabetes. Often it's just a matter of planning ahead—calling the host to find out what will be served and deciding which to eat and which to skip. Your child could also bring some of his own treats to share. You and your child could adjust his eating plan and insulin schedule that day to accommodate some extra treats; he might skip his usual snack of pretzels so he can have a slice of birthday cake or some pieces of Halloween candy, for instance.
Tweens and Teens. In these years, kids' bodies are growing at differing rates, and they're usually dealing with the hormonal changes of puberty. All this can make their blood-glucose levels unpredictable and their diabetes harder to manage. Couple that with the emotional challenges of being a teen and you have a recipe for a bumpy ride. The biggest challenge for parents is allowing tweens and teens to earn the privilege of more freedom, while helping them understand their responsibilities. It means moving from a relationship where the parent is in control to more of a partnership. If your teen is slacking from her usual diabetes care, it's time to come up with a new plan—together. Set goals you can both agree on; praise her when she meets them, and refrain from criticizing her when she doesn't.
Resources
Diabetic Diet Recipes and MenusAlmond-Crusted Chicken Fingers
Healthy Eating for Kids Recipes and Menus
Diabetic Diet Center
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If you have a child with diabetes, the only thing you can count on is change.
Author Info: By EatingWell, EatingWell.com, Nutrition Directory |
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