This month, we’ve raised awareness about diabetes and shared a story about how a family is navigating a child’s diabetes diagnosis. In this last segment, I want to share my own diabetes diagnosis story and how to navigate parenthood as a parent with diabetes.
I was diagnosed with diabetes in March 2019, and it was a complete shock. I wasn’t experiencing any symptoms and the only way that I knew that I had diabetes was through routine blood work. At the time of diagnosis, our three children were 8, 6, and 4 years old (including 1 with special needs) at the time.
Managing a chronic health condition while managing my household and parenting was challenging and exhausting during the first few years due to major lifestyle changes that required a change in diet and implementing a routine that involved multiple blood sugar checks and taking medications on schedule.
However, five years later, I've learned how to manage diabetes better while taking care of my family. Here are a few things that helped me:
Made sure that my kids understood diabetes
My kids were able to learn about diabetes in an age-appropriate way. We discussed the symptoms to look out for, what to do if my blood sugars are too high or too low, and what diabetes medication/equipment I use (meters, test strips, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), medications, etc.). Then, we've created a plan for medical emergencies and taught them who to call.
Made simple and achievable household routines
Stress is known to raise blood sugar levels; therefore, I do my best to plan ahead so that I don't overwork myself. I created daily to-do lists using an app to schedule specific days for cleaning and errands. I also plan my meals a month ahead of time to make meal preparation easier. We created a daily household routine that helps us smoothly get through our day. This prevents our family from feeling overwhelmed by knowing what to expect each day.
Delegated household chores and errands
Some people with diabetes find that extreme physical activities increase their blood sugar levels. People with diabetes can also experience a blood sugar low if they don't eat or properly hydrate. The latter is usually the case for me more often than I would like to admit. Some days, I’m unable to complete my household tasks because of this.
As soon as I find myself in this situation, I stop what I'm doing to take care of myself and let my husband and kids help me with chores and errands. My kids are given age-appropriate tasks and I leave the more demanding ones until I’m feeling better.
Planned for potential "sick" days
Managing chronic health conditions and parenting are 24/7 jobs. Having a chronic illness means you're bound to have more sick days than average, and when it happens, you'll want them to be as comfortable as possible while also ensuring that your kids are safe and taken care of.
With the kids now 14,12, and 9 years old, they are able to complete their homeschool assignments independently, watch movies, and play games while I rest. Recently, my older kids have learned how to cook several foods and have prepared meals for my youngest and me while I rested. As soon as my husband gets home and settled from work, he takes over.
Words of Encouragement
As a parent with diabetes, navigating parenting can be a challenge. However, communication and setting clear expectations, as well as planning ahead and for emergencies can help us run a smooth household, keep us stress-free, which helps maintain our blood sugar levels, and help us keep our sanity.
The best thing we can do for our families is set habits that will allow us to focus on enjoying every moment of parenthood instead of allowing diabetes to dictate what we do.
