Im sorry to hear. There are alot of caregivers here on this site and please dont be bashfull, If you have a question, ask away. They have been were you are at now and have lived to tell their tales. If nothing else, you are not alone. Good luck.

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I am so sorry to hear about your baby's diagnosis with Type1. But she can lead a pretty normal life with diabetes. I know it must seem incredibly overwhelming and sad for you and your family right now but soon you will learn all about diabetes and taking care of your little one will be second nature. Being sure to let her teacher and other staff at school know about her illness will ensure that she is safe and happy at school. Please know you are in my prayers.

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I'm so sorry that your little one has to deal with the pain and restrictions of diabetes at such a young age. I can only imagine how tough it must be on you too. My son was diagnosed at 8 and that was hard enough.

I know there's not a lot I can say that can help right now. But know that you're not alone. Others have been down the tough road you're on. Never hesitate to ask for help.

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My advice to diabetic parents has changed much recently over the past two months. I would usually give the advice of different treatment options, ect.. which is still good advice to give to parents, but recently my son who is 11 is already at the burnout point is his life, depressed enough to have given himself to much insulin because of the frustration of high numbers low numbers, bad numbers, good numbers. As parents we cannot help ourselfs from the complete fucus of our childs diabetes and it is sometime impossable to avoid always checking. My advice now is that there are no good or bad numbers only numbers and what we are going to do about it. There are no more testing our blood, tests are for school, we named the glucose meter George and we ask what has George said today. No, I don't sleep very well at night and I read every book I can on diabetes, I just treat my son differently now then before. He almost died and life has taken a bit of a turn around, but the most important thing is that he is always my son first who is a great football player and who loves to ride his bike, ect.... ect... then he is diabetic.

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I wish you and your child all the ease posible in learning ways and means for coping with this disease. Children are amazing... they face life most often with acceptance and candor... based on my experience with my children... I'd recommend open communication and allow them to express the full range of emotion as it unravels over time... They are little persons becoming who they already are... just like us big persons still discovering more of who we already are... We get down with the heavy loads in life, and they will too... but if they have safety to express their true feelings, they will feel more confident and capable getting on in life... Have fun at every opportunity...laugh deeply, cry hard, and celebrate those we cherish... sadness robs the heart of JOY... don't let this disease cloud your abiility to respond to the power of love... Swim in it every second you're alive... smiles are reassuring, but so are heart felt tears.. Caring shines through authenticity... BE WITH her at every juncture, let her feel your love, not your fear! fear is the enemy... It's important that she just knows, via osmosis, that she is a capable person, with life to discover...Nurture is great stuff, and it bends nature to its will... cultivate her spirit, grow confidence... model self-discipline. that's what I believe every child needs, regardless of whether or not they have diabetes... Love to your family, from my family... Jocelyn

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I hope that you find a lot of support here for yourself and your daughter. I am T2 and my close friend's daughter is T1. I know how scary things can be at first. You will eventually fall into a routine (with a few curve balls here and there). Jocelyn sure is a sweetie! I agree, take it one day at a time and try to relax and show no fear. Wait until you're behind closed doors for your little breakdowns (and you will have them). She's too little to know that her parents are scared about this whole thing.

Prayers and blessings,
Cakeybakes

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so sorry to hear tis it is a ruf time for yoou i am sure but with a little help fom you friends here you will begin to feel better. sorry this happend at such an early time, just keep your chin up and if you need answers i am sure john crowley can help and some of the other people pn this sight. all the best

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My little sister was six years old when diagnosed type 1. This was 60 some years ago. Mama helped her learn to take care of herself. She was on four insulin injection a day. They didn't have these micro fine needles. But she grew up to be Miss Rialto. First runner up in beauty pageant for the county of San Bernardino, California. She gave birth to girl and a boy. In those days you were told that your children would become diabetics. Nether are diabetic yet. So there is also a great future for your little one. I wish you best of luck and good doctors.
Your Friend
JoAnna

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I can distantly relate to your stress level! I was diagnosed when I was 11 months old. That was in 1968 when you had to boil your glass syringe each time you used it, sharpen the needle periodically, and depend on urine tests to tell where you sugar had been a few hours before! Learning to care for a child with diabetes is a challenge in any time, but with the help of today's glucose monitors, insulin pumps and much more educated medical field, you're little girl will fly. As a teen, I went on youth trips across the country, without my parents, and had not a single crisis. Let this challenge show her how she can do anything she puts her mind to it, and know there are lots of people here for you1

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Hang in there. I know it is tough. But there are a lot of us out here who were dx'd as small children and most of us are doing just fine. I for one have been a diabetic for almost 40 years. I have or two mild symptoms but other than that I am fine. (my complications are a frozen shoulder and a touch of neuropathy in my feet). But those things could have happened just because of age...isnt that what they always say???

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Keep us posted on how you are doing. I tend to think of diabetes as a family disease because it takes a lot of family resources and cooperation to pull together when one member of family is diagnosed. So I will not only keep you and your daughter in my thoughts, but Dad and any brothers and sisters, too.

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Last edited 3 months ago

Being a diabetic since the age of 6 is overwlming. Keep your chin up. When I was diagnosed 46 years ago things were really different. I think back then the instructions were: no sweets, no pop, that alone is hard for any child. If we did get a sweet it was sugar free jello. It only came in the color red.(LOL) When I went to school I kind of thought I was special because I was able to sit in the back of the class and have a snack. Woo-hoo! It was harder on my mother than it was for me. I hated the injections but I just though every kid got them. You will see with good eating and healthy management she will live a normal life. Look at all the celebrites and sports personnel that are diabetics. Years ago you would of never known. It is wonderful that now they share some of there experience and show there is no stop to what you can do with diabetes.........Debe

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Hi Bestmom,

So sorry to hear about your daughter. Are you familiar with www.childrenwithdiabetes.com ? It's one of the best communities out there for parents of Type 1 children. It's not just online either -- they actually hold events and meetups. Definitely worth checking into!

Meanwhile, we're glad to have you here on the DC community.

All the best,
AmyT

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Hi Bestmom,

So sorry to hear about your daughter. Are you familiar with www.childrenwithdiabetes.com ? It's one of the best communities out there for parents of Type 1 children. It's not just online either -- they actually hold events and meetups. Definitely worth checking into!

Meanwhile, we're glad to have you here on the DC community.

All the best,
AmyT

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Hello there, welcome to this community! I was diagnosed with Type 1 in 1945 when I was 6. My mother gave me wonderful care in the days when very little was known about diabetes. I am now 69 and have been diabetic for 63 years. I am very healthy and have no complications at this time.

I just want you to know that your daughter can have a long, heakthy life. With the knowledge about diabetes that exists in modern times and the wonderful technology that we have, your daughter should be able to do very well indeed.

Amy Tenderich recommended an excellent diabetes site especially intended for parents of diabetic children I have recommended that site to many parents.

Good luck to you and your daughter.

Richard

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You sound so much like me. My daughter was 2 1/2 when she was diagnosed. School was terrifying... but thankfully we had a great school nurse. It will work out... just have faith. You take each day as it comes and learn that there will be highs and lows (lows are MUCH scarier) but just do the best you can. My daughter is now 11 and going into 6th grade... and becoming more and more independent in her care. Please feel free to contact me by email if you just want some additional support. I do understand.

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I know all too well what you're going through. In 2004 my 2yo son was diaganosed. It was a complete shock as noone on either side of the family for many generations back, have ever been diabetic.

Then, this may, my 10 year old son was diagnosed. I was in complete shock. It was a lot easier this time around, because I knew what to expect.

I DOES get easier, in a way. You adapt, and learn all you can. There are some days that are more difficult than others, but diabeties doesn't stop my boys from doing anything. They are perfectly normal kids. It's hard work at times and you have to be vigelant, but you can do it!

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I also was diagnosed at age 5 but at that time not a lot was known about the disease but now it is more common (unfortunately). You will have your ups and downs but most important (to me anyways) was no one treated my like I was special. There were alot times, especially when I was little that I could not understand why the other kids got the sugary stuff and I didn't but with time and some mistakes, I went on a sugar tangent I got thru it with my mom and dads help. Just be there for them and there will be somethings you will learn together, don't ever think you or her won't make mistakes about the disease because you do, just learn from them. Good Luck!!

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Hey... I know how you feel... my daughter was diagnosed about 6 weeks ago and she is 7. We have no family history and the news was very upsetting. I knew about Diabetes but I knew nothing about diabetes. We have learned so much in such a small time frame. I sit and watch her sleep as well... I am so scared, mad and upset. I wish it was me... I wish I could take it away and give it to myself but that is not how it works.... Lexi is having a hard time at school... says she does not want to leave me and cries almost all day. We are just trying to get through this stage..... She is doing great with the shots and testing but she does not want to leave my side..... any suggestions on that?

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