Babysitters of children with Type 1 diabetes must be properly trained in all aspects of diabetes management. Significant others of adults with Type 1 diabetes must be extremely knowledgeable of the disease too.
When you child is born, you don’t ever want to leave their side. You set them at your feet when you do laundry. You bring them into the kitchen when you are cooking dinner. You never leave your newborn’s side. I know of new moms that bring their babies into the bathroom with them when they shower, just to ensure the little one is breathing while the mom gets clean. Eventually, as time goes on, months for some, maybe even years for others, but eventually the mom decides that it will be okay if she leaves her little one for a short while with a babysitter.
First is may start with a trip to the supermarket with a babysitter watching the baby, then is may be a longer trip out to lunch with a friend, and then finally and even longer trip, possibly over night with their husband. The babysitter proves they are capable one excursion at a time. The baby seems to love the babysitter, the sitter seems to be a really responsible, caring person, a perfect match is made.
A perfect match between a child with Type 1 diabetes and their babysitter is not just about love and responsibility. A major part of the relationship between child and babysitter is knowledge. Specifically, knowledge about diabetes. My son’s Nannie and Papa already had two parts of being the perfect babysitters, there is more then enough love, and they are very responsible, and this weekend they began working towards getting that third component. They attended Caregivers Camp for kids living with Type 1 diabetes this weekend (along with my son’s very wonderful Uncle).
While I am grateful that caregivers camp exists, I am also saddened that my son up until 21 months ago, didn’t need to attend a special camp with his Nannie and Papa, and now because of Type 1 diabetes he does. Up until 21 months ago, there was no special knowledge to take care of my son. You loved him, fed him, and bathed him, that was about it. Yes, those three tasks are still on the list, but now there is so much more.
Now on top of loving, feeding and bathing, my son’s Nannie and Papa need to know how to check his sugar, count carbs, recognize highs, recognize lows, correct high sugar, treat low blood sugar, administer Glucagon, attack ketones, and evaluate insulin on board to name a few of the new responsibilities. They truly need to take my place when I am not around. Not fun and not fair. Grandparents should have the lighter side of the reponsibilities, but unfortunately with Type 1 diabetes there is no lighter side.
Fortunately for both my son and me, his Nannie and Papa are willing to take on these responsibilites, and thanks to their attending Caregivers Camp they are well on their way.