HOW TO care for yourself
WHEN YOUR CHILD HAS DIABETES
When your child has diabetes, you not only have all the normal parenting responsibilities, but also the added challenges of caring for a child with special needs.
“If you’re not careful, that additional responsibility can be overwhelming,” warns child and family therapist and blogger Meri Wallace.
“The stress will not only take a toll on your health, it can also affect the quality of family life.”
But it doesn’t have to be that way. These tips can help you regain control of your life.
Take care of your health
You must be in good physical and mental shape in order to provide the best care for your child, so take care of those important needs by eating well, exercising, and seeing your own doctor or therapist for routine care. Learn to cut stress using deep breathing techniques and mind-body exercises such as yoga.
Get help with chores
To get the most household help from your spouse and other children, assign chores according to activities they would most enjoy, or are most willing to do. If your spouse likes to cook, put them in charge of dinner or preparing school lunches. If you have a neat freak in the family, hit them up for dish-washing and vacuuming. When you are the primary caregiver for a child with a chronic health condition, anything other people do around the house is helpful.
Don’t reject offers of help
How often do you say “no thanks, I’m fine” when someone offers to help, while secretly wishing they’ll ignore you and help out anyway? Letting someone drop off food or take your child out for an afternoon could save you from an otherwise overwhelming day. And if you need help, and no one is offering or available, consider ordering in a meal or hiring a cleaner, even if these are things you don’t normally do. Consider it an investment in your sanity.
Keep your child informed
Share what you know about diabetes and allow your child as much responsibility for selfcare as they can handle. As they grow up, you’ll be faced with their need to do things their own way. “The more he understands the reasons for his treatments, the more cooperative he will be,” Wallace adds. “And the more confidence you have in your child’s ability to make healthy decisions, the less stress you feel.”
Seek out support
Psychological stress not only affects you, it affects your child’s moods, behaviour and quality of life in ways you may not recognise. If you need help coping, ask a doctor or trusted friend for a referral before caregiving gets the best of you. “You might also consider a support group,” Wallace suggests. “Other parents dealing with the same issue can provide ongoing support, and keep you informed about new techniques for diabetes.” Talk to your healthcare provider or local hospital for referral to a local group. For online help and information, try ParentingDiabeticKids.com and DiabetesResearch.org, and Facebook groups such as “Moms and Dads Of type one Diabetics.”