When you become a parent you realize there are all types of parenting styles. When you become a parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes you realize the same holds true for that as well. There are many different parenting styles when it comes to taking care of diabetes in your own home.
You know how it is when your kids are little, you gravitate towards the moms and dads in playgroup that seemsimilar to you and your style. You may sit near the mom that sits on the floor instead of the chair during the book reading. Or you may join the dad at the food court that is feeding his kids the same ‘junk food’ meal as you. Whatever it may be, you find that you gravitate towards the parents that are most similar to your style. It’s no different when it comes to diabetes.
There are so many ways to live successfully with diabetes, but there are a few things in diabetes that are set in stone. People with Type 1 diabetes have to take insulin, that is a no brainer. People with Type 1 diabetes have to check their blood glucose in order to survive. After those two main things, families have choices when it comes to diabetes.
Families can choose to use an insulin pump to deliver insulin or give shots. Families can choose to weigh food or read the labels, or both. Families can choose whichever blood glucose meter they want, some choosing 2 or 3 for one person. Some families choose to send their kids to diabetes camp and some do not. Some people believe that you absolutely have to test a child overnight and some people believe you absolutely do not have to overnight test. Some people limit the types of foods their child with Type 1 diabetes can eat, and some allow all types of food. Other families follow their doctor’s orders implicitly, while others, under the supervision of a doctor, tread their own path of care.
The problem with all of these choices and different parenting styles is that everyone thinks they are right. And the bigger problem within that is that everyone IS right. Each one of us does exactly what we think is right for our children. While it may not be the best solution for one family, it may be the only solution in another. Finding friends amongst all these different styles is difficult. It is much easier to be friendly with a person that follows a similar way of care as you do, mainly because we all think we are right. It is easier if the styles jive so that you know where each one is coming from.
So as in life, you have to muddle through all the different people you encounter, just to find that one person that you can call your friend. And I can say, finding that friend is so worth it when it comes to living with Type 1 diabetes. Living with Type 1 diabetes sucks, but to find a friend that follows the same groove as you, well, it makes it just a little less sucky.