An E-book and
online resource for
parents of children with
Juvenile Diabetes
My Child Has Diabetes
Live a Normal Life
So Your Child Has Diabetes:
A Step By Step Plan For You and Your Child
(by Russell Turner)
Discuss Juvenile Diabetes on our Forum
So Your Child Has Diabetes
Table of Contents
Chapters:
- The Dreaded Diagnosis
- The Day They Turn You Loose
- Regiment, We're In The Army Now!
- "Daddy, Can I Sleep Over Grandma's?"
- School
- "Daddy, I Don't Want To Take Any More Shots"
- Real Low Blood Sugar Levels
- When Do I Take My Child to the Emergency Room?
- "I Feel Different from Everyone Else"
- Be Prepared for Emotional Times
- "An Apple or a Coma Those Are Your Choices"
- Your Other Children
- And Now A Word from Kari
- Let's Take A Vacation
- The Wrap Up
We are offering this ebook in two different formats for your convenience.
You may read it online here, or download it to your computer in a PDF format.
If you find this book helpful, please consider a donation. Fifty percent (50%) of your donation will go toward Diabetes Research and finding a cure. The rest will be used to help pay the costs associated with running this site and to continue to reach out to other parents who are just starting down this difficult path.
God bless you and your families.
Sincerely,
Russell Turner
Chapter Twelve: Your Other Children
Kari has a younger sister Kristin; she's 8 now. She was 6 when Kari was diagnosed. She's still a little young for me to just turn loose and allow to write a chapter. It might start out on subject but would quickly move to finger knitting, Care Bears, and Barbie. I wrote out a list of questions for her to answer. They surprised me. As it turns out this is one more situation you need to prepare for. I have written this next section incorporating Kristin's answers. These are Kristin's thoughts about being the younger sister of a diabetic.
"My name is Kristin. I am 8 years old. I am going into third grade. When I first found out my sister had diabetes I was very scared that Kari would get all the attention. I didn't think I would catch it. It's hard being the sister of a diabetic because Kari is getting all the attention. Yes I get mad when she gets extra attention when she doesn't feel good. I am annoyed with Kari this, and Kari that, I am annoyed with her!"
Wow! Just when you think you have a pretty good handle on things. Do you see a theme here? I can't tell you how sad it made me to find this out. Even though you think you have created a good balance between the attention you have to pay your diabetic child and the rest of the family that's not always the case. At least that's not how it's perceived. As you know children have a different way of looking at the world. They don't see it the same way we do. They're children not just short adults. Perception is reality! The way they perceive a situation is the way it really is for them. You must be very aware of this.
If you find you really are being uneven in the amount of attention you are giving your children admit it. Sit down with your other child and explain why. Then together try to come up with ways to improve the situation. I handled this in a coupe of ways. The first action I took was to set aside some time just for Kristin and me. Actually I set aside some more time. Obviously what I thought was enough and what she thought was enough were two different enoughs! Now I'm not saying give up all of your time just so your children think they are getting what they think they need. We all know as far as they're concerned you will never be able to give them enough of your time right up to the point where they've had enough of you. You do the best you can. You can't do more than that.
The second action I took was to holler for Stacy. You remember Stacy, I named a goldfish after her. A mental health professional may be able to help your other child realize she's not as left out as she may think. One of the keys of adjusting to diabetes is to keep your family routine as close to normal as possible. In most cases, diabetes care should fit into your lifestyle -- not the other way around. It's natural to be very focused on diabetes for the first weeks and months after diagnosis, but with proper preparation you and your family can live healthy normal lives.
The point is you must be aware. Your children won't always tell you what they are thinking in so many words. They will usually tell you by their actions. Be prepared.
Next
Chapter Thirteen: And Now A Word from Kari
Legal StatementThe Book "So Your Child Has Diabetes" A Step by Step Plan for You and Your Child , is Copyright © 2004 by Russell A. Turner. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any other means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright holders. This book is supplied for information purposes only and, as experienced in this subject matter as the contributors are, the material herein does not constitute professional medical advice. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and contributors are not engaged in rendering medical, psychological, or other professional advice. If medical or other professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The reader is advised to consult with an appropriately qualified medical professional before making any medical decision. The publisher and contributors do not accept any responsibility for any liabilities resulting from decisions made by the purchasers of this book.
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