Diabetes Diary 2/2/15

As a parent with a 11 year old son who has had this disease for three years, I've become an expert on managing his blood sugar highs and lows, making sure the tips of his fingers don't turn black because he pricks one more than the other, and teaching him how to take care of himself so he grows up to be a healthy confident adult. But, this isn't the only thing that I'm teaching him. I'm also teaching him how to find ways to have fun in between the not so fun moments.

Below are a few fun ways to make living with type 1 diabetes fun! The little things such as the below has truly made a difference in my son's life. And the smile I get when I do one of them is so worth it!

1. For dinner, eat dessert first. Then eat the meal.
2. For breakfast have a piece of birthday cake or a slice of pizza. My son has been invited to  birthday parties and has been unable to eat the cake because of his blood sugars at the time of day. So instead, we wrap it up, take it home, and he eats it for breakfast.
3. Give a lollipop after your child's plays football, basketball, or other extracurricular competitive game. After every football, basketball, and baseball game, I surprise my son with a different colored lollipop. This keeps his blood sugar from dropping fast and also puts the sweetest smile on his face. It's his special treat after the game.
4. Sneak two pieces of hershey kisses into your type 1 child's lunch box. I usually try to sneak two pieces of chocolate because it doesn't affect my son's blood sugar as much as other treats. And he loves chocolate! Two Hershey kisses are only 5 carbs.

This disease is not always about the downs. As a parent of a diabetic child, I am always trying to find ways to make life fun and a little easier for my son. The little things that can make him feel normal are worth it!