Normal emotions | Information from the Internet | No fear | No drama | Results are just numbers
It is difficult to say for whom the shock is stronger when a child is diagnosed with diabetes. The burden of responsibility rests more with the parents. And this is at the moment when they themselves can barely cope with the shock. The difficulty also lies in the fact that doctors do not always explain to a child what happened to him and how his life will now change, leaving this obligation to parents. It is hard to advise something in this situation, but we have identified several important tips that will help you cope with your psychological state and help your child adapt to a new life.
1. Your emotions and tears are normal. But do not let them affect you for a long time.
No matter what diagnosis is made, you and your child will make it through. Remember you need to know your child like never before. And you must be strong. So, to deal with your shock, talk to someone. That is, talk not about what shock it is for you, but talk about what you should do. Learn more and make some kind of action plan. This will help you much more than evenings with shedding tears. Understanding and accepting what is going on will give you strength. Who to talk to? Let it be an endocrinologist, parents of children with diabetes who already have some experience or those in the diabetic community and in support groups.
2. In addition to diabetic communities, it’s worth talking about scooping up information from the Internet.
A great revelation: The Internet is a storehouse of useful information and at the same time a dump of disgusting, destructive advice.
What good can be found on the Internet: friends with diabetes, excellent diabetes blogs from personal experience or blogs of endocrinologists, diabetic forums, information about various diabetic meetings, meetings and forums.
What needs to be sifted out of what has been found (harmful and dangerous): advice on “curing diabetes” — all sorts of healers, shamans, miracles, monastery teas, etc. This is all rubbish, foolish and nonsense.
3. Announce a boycott on fear.
Fears develop from a lack of information. Learn nutritional information, insulin therapy, and complication risks.
In addition, learn the rules of self-control in situations related to your child’s favorite activities. If you forbid your child to go in for sports or dancing because of your fears about the possibility of hypoglycemia, then this will not help your child, but only spoil his childhood and cause a negative reaction. But to teach a child self-control during a hobby lesson will only improve his discipline and the quality of diabetic control, since he will understand what to do and why to do it.
4. No need to be dramatic!
Life should not lose color due to a diagnosis. It’s important to be able to control diabetes, and not let diabetes control your life. Do what you would normally do if you didn’t have diabetes (a family trip, a football match, a party in honor of your child’s birthday), just remember about self-control. You are able to handle everything. In the art of diabetes control, the main thing for a child is to learn to live a full life and be independent, courageous and happy.
5. Do not be strict with your child for glucose or glycated hemoglobin results.
You must teach him to control diabetes, but not scold him for numerical values. In addition, not everything depends only on his efforts. Weather, colds, hormonal changes during the growth period and many other factors that affect glycemia.
Remember that results are just numbers. Important but not defining life.
What determines life is the happiness of you and your child. And diabetes should not be a hindrance to that.