parenting

S is for Support

Today I am writing in support of #IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes is a never-ending, every day battle.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes requires my daughter to poke her finger 5-8 times a day to check her blood glucose levels.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes requires my daughter to inject a new site (with a big needle) every three days.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes (Type 1)  can’t be fixed with diet and exercise but as for anyone it’s an important part of taking care of yourself.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes allows my daughter can eat cake if she wants.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes is harder than it looks.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes has shown me how brave and amazing my daughter can be.

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R is for Rewind

Don’t you wish life had a rewind button?  You could go back a year or two or twenty?  Just for a moment or to make a big change, it’s probably best that it’s not possible.  Today marks a year since my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.  I would love to be able to change this and erase this part of her life, but that is not to be.  She is managing well and doing everything that needs to be done, but it’s not always an easy road to travel.  Type 1 needs a cure and if you agree, please consider a donation to JDRF either in general or towards our team at the following link:

http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?px=9517404&fr_id=4768&pg=personal

Thanks!

Q is for Questions

Today I am questioning a few things in my life and not quite sure how I am going to handle them yet. Some are personal, some are diabetes related, and some are just general ‘how to deal with a teenager’ questions. Some days are easier than others and some days spiral out of control.  I do love my kids and my life so I just need to take a step back and try to find the right answers.

P is for Possessions

Today I am at a yard sale, I have never been great at having them but this is a group one and I’ve done it a couple of times with a reasonable about of success.  I didn’t plan well for this one because there is plenty I could get rid of but didn’t get around too it (i.e. lazy).  I have a love/hate with possessions.  I really hate clutter but find a hard time getting rid of stuff.  Sometimes it’s emotional but sometimes it’s just because I don’t know what to do with it.  Throw it in the garbage, resell it, give it away…I know it really not a hard decision but somehow I struggle with it anyway.

 

O is for Optimistic

I don’t know of my posts reflect this, but for the most part I am a pretty optimistic person.  I can go down the rabbit hole with worry but most days I do not.  I try hard to not let my daughter get discouraged.  I do agree with her that diabetes sucks and I sympathize with her that the inserts/shots/finger pricks hurt but I try not to let her fall into the burn-out that I know can happen.  I am sure this will get harder and there will be times that she will rebel and feel the depression that can come with a life-changing diagnoses but I also hope and pray that she will overcome and remain optimistic about her future and the fulfilling life she can have while living with Type 1.

N is for Numbers

Daughter stayed home from school, not feeling well but just a head cold. Her numbers have been ok.  When Type 1’s get sick there is always the worry of how it will effect their blood sugar and the possibility of ketones.  I have been very worried this year of her getting sick but so far other than sinuses and colds she’s been ok.  As we near the one year mark, I am thankful that we made it without any major mishaps.  I hate always having to ask her about her numbers but that’s the new reality of our lives.

M is for Music

One of the biggest heartbreak’s of my life was realizing that I could not sing. In my bedroom as a child I would belt out song after song with such passion and abandon, I thought I was Madonna for sure.  I can’t remember when I found out I couldn’t sing, I think I knew it but didn’t care for a long time. Oh to be young and carefree.  Like with my ‘Dancing’ post, my kids used to not care, join in, love it, etc. Now not so much.  I can really embarrass them by suddenly breaking in ‘Wrecking Ball’ or something.

However a few weeks ago, we were talking about their new cousins and lullabies and they requested that I sing a few to them as a reminder.  It was quite a lovely moment that I know is all too fleeting.

L is for Lazy

I fully admit that I am lazy.  When I get motivated to do something, I can and will but finding that motivation is hard.  I also think I am easily distracted so if I don’t have a to-do list to get through it doesn’t get done.  I am probably not the best influence on my kids because the laziness has been passed down for sure.  My daughter often says ‘I don’t feel like getting up to get that’ or ‘can you do it for me.’  She’s 13, she needs to be a little less lazy.

K is for Kids

Yesterday was my birthday.  I told my kids that it was my day and they had to do what I wanted and not complain. It went about as well as you could expect.  Even on my birthday I put the kids first. It’s hard as a parent to take a step back and put yourself first.  I did get to do some of the things I wanted/planned but not all and I guess that’s good enough for now.