Tips for Parenting or Caring for the Emotional Needs of a Diabetic Child

Not all diabetic children have the same experiences. However, those experiences are all scary regardless if they are “normal” or serious and they should all be treated with kindness and understanding. One of the most important things for a parent or any adult caring for a diabetic child can do is remain calm during an episode of any kind. If the child sees that, you the adult is afraid their fear will increase greatly and they already have enough to deal with just having diabetes.

Not Every Child Reacts the Same to Diabetes

It is so important to remember that not every child reacts the same way to diabetes. By this I mean some children take the disease in stride as it is apart of their life and they have to just deal with it. Other children are less accepting of the diabetes and may not accept it so easily as a part of their life. It is essential that you know how a child “deals” with their diabetes especially if you are a caregiver not a parent. Growing up is difficult enough adding diabetes to the mix can make for a very difficult childhood and adolescents.

Tips for Parents

First as a parent, you should have a good understanding of how your child reacts emotional to the diabetes and you need support their feelings and make sure they know you understand and accept how they feel. If they take the diabetes in stride then you should too. Do not over react in a situation that is serious calmly do what you need to do.

If your child does not take their diabetes in stride, you still need too but in a way that reassures your child that you understand how scared or how much it must stink not to be able to do certain things that their friends can do. Many parents consider talk therapy for helping their child deal with the emotional distress it causes them. However, the best support they can receive will always come from the parents.