How do I make my 11yr old diabetic realize...?

Question

that she has to take her insulin and check her sugar? She was 7 when she was diagnosed. We have tried everything we could think of, including scare tactics... Her doctors say its a faze.. But I freak when her sugar is up.

I guess I should have mentioned: she is on a pump, NORMALLY has very good bs readings, and there is a nurse on staff at school that oversees her school monitoring

Answer 1

The problem may be diabetes "burn out". At 11 years old, she may not want to have the responsibility of having to be her pancreas, she may just want to be "normal". It is part of growing up. However, this can endanger her life. That said, you as the parent need to resume her daily care routine. That means doing all fingersticks and injections for her to make sure it gets done.

Eventually, she will realize that she does not want to have mom taking charge, and will want freedom, but will accept the responsibility that comes with it.

Taking her to a psychologist familiar with Type 1 diabetes as suggested is great advice. So are summer camps and support groups for kids.

There is an in-hospital stabilization program in the US for Type 1 diabetic teens who have psychological issues affecting their control. It is called "Cumberland House".

Scare tactics (taking them to a hospital ward, etc.) may work for some, and I admit it can work in some older children. However, I doubt it will work at this age.

She just wants to be a kid and not have to deal with this constant and overwhelming disease.

You as a parent need to step in and take over. She is obviously not able or ready to take care of herself yet. This is a lot to ask of a child. YOU need to be in charge.

P.S. This child has TYPE 1 diabetes, the severe non-preventable kind. It is not related to lifestyle, so TV shows about obese kids and diets are not the issue here. Also, the insulin pump, as suggested, is a very good idea if she is willing to put forth the effort.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

You should begin by finding a diabetic camp for her to attend this summer and meet with other diabetics in your area. There are diabetic groups that meet in some cities. I believe that if she were to find a few diabetics that have had some complications and she is able to speak with them about those complications that she might look at it a little differently. I am a 40-year diabetic and I really began taking GOOD CARE of myself after Diabetic Retinopathy had begun in my eyes. This was a wake up call for me. I hope that it does not take such a problem for her to begin taking diabetes seriously! Have a great Christmas. I hope that this helps.
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Answer 5

Not to sound too harsh, but you're the mother. Make the rules and enforce them! If she needs to be on a schedule and won't follow it, call her butt up at school, or when she's out with friends and remind her to check her blood sugar, do whatever it takes to get her in gear. She'll eventually get the hint that this isn't going away and you're not going to let her put her health in danger.

Answer 6

I think at 11 that's a lot of responsibility for her. I think she needs to be responsible for it at school but take some of the pressure off her at home and do it for her. She's going to have to do this for the rest of her life and you don't want her to burn out early. Also you should check out sending her to a diabetes camp for a week of two in the summer. Meeting other kids like her and seeing them care for themselves might make her feel better about taking it on more. I believe the childrenwithdiabetes.com webpage lists the names of camps and other support groups. With a girl her age, she probably is becoming self-concious and just wants to fit in. That's why it's so important for her to meet kids like her. Yes it's a pphase but you need to guide her out of it so that she wants to be as healthy as possible when she comes out of it.

Answer 7

If she doesn't want the responsibility, take it from her. Do her shots for her. Count her carbs for her. Test her bs for her. Make her role in it minimal, and increase it when she is ready to deal with it again. Maybe let her just be responsible for care while she is at school. Check her meter memory and if she didn't test when she was suppose to, maybe take away privileges. Maybe get her a watch with alarms to remind her to test, or if she uses a pump, program alarms on that.

Answer 8

I think you should simply have her understand what happens when she doesn't take her insulin. Make her realize that she's not making things any better by not taking her insulin and checking her sugar. If she understood that she is making things even worse, she wouldn't do what she is doing now. It's already bad enough that she has been diagnosed, it does not help that she is making things worse.

Answer 9

The reason she is upset is that you are too.
Stop freaking.
My daughter had many great summers at camp for kids with diabetes and made lots of friends.
Check these out in your area.
Getting to know other kids her age with diabetes , will help her the most.
I wish you the best.

Answer 10

I would talk to a psychologist. She needs someone who can make her determined to take control over her diabetes and her life.