Leaving a child with a babysitter is a challenging task in any situation. Leaving a child with a chronic condition such as Type 1 Diabetes can be even more taxing and stressful.
If you find yourself eagerly looking forward to a night away, or even seeking a few hours to run errands, consider enlisting the tips below.
#1. Leave All Emergency Information
Make sure all emergency medical supplies are readily available, along with both written and verbal instructions. Before leaving your child with their childcare provider, go through basic emergency supplies, such as a first-aid kit, as well as diabetes-specific Have written instructions typed out and ready ahead of time, as handwriting can be difficult to decipher in an emergency.
In addition, keep all emergency numbers, such as pediatrician and specialist numbers, readily accessible on the fridge or within the designated emergency container. Have these numbers clearly labeled, and make sure your childcare provider is familiar with each number and to whom they belong.
#2. Conduct Emergency Drills
Make sure your child, if old enough, is familiar with their own needs and supplies. If your family has not yet had an emergency diabetic situation, practice the steps needed to minimize emergency situations. This could be as simple as instructing your child on what type of food to eat or what medicine to inject in the case of low or high blood sugar, respectively, as well as discussing different symptoms and their meanings.
If you have multiple children, and only one child has been diagnosed with Type 1, include your older/younger children as well. If they are younger, practice quiet time or gentle breathing to keep calm in an emergency, and if they are older, show them how they might be able to assist their babysitter or sibling.
#3. Educate, Educate, Educate
Many people are unfamiliar with the care procedures for individuals with diabetes, as well as the symptoms of low/high blood sugar, and things to watch out for. If you can, arrange a time beforehand to meet with your childcare provider, and give them a small talk about the basics of diabetes and how it affects your child.
This may look as simple as creating a plan for care, to as complex as paying for a child-specific CPR course and arranging a meeting with your child’s pediatrician. Although it may seem drastic, no course of action is too over-the-top to ensure your child’s proper care.
Parenting as a whole is a difficult, often painful task, requiring patience and some amount of letting go. The process is arguably even more difficult for men and women parenting children with diabetes. With enough foresight, determination, and assertiveness, you can be sure your child receives high-quality care and attention in your absence.
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American Diabetes Association. URL Link. Accessed March 7, 2017.
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