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| *Women health>>>Diabetes |
Teaching my 5-year-old friends about his Type 1 diabetes? |
My son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 22 months old. I have tried to make his life seemingly normal, entering him into preschool and participating in playgroups, etc. Many friends of my son's and parents of those friends have many misconceptions about the disease and I am exhausted trying to explain it to everyone, one by one. I'm looking for some sources and ways people have explained Type 1 to their friends. As for the children interested, the best way to explain things to them is through the voices of other children. Here is an online site for pen-friends with diabetes who can explain it far better than any of us can: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/kids... Regarding your adult friends, it is important that you involve your son's teachers in explaining his condition. This way, those kids can tell their parents about it. Remember the song "Teach Your Children" by CSNY? I believe they honestly can teach their parents more than anyone can, as long as those parents are willing to listen. I understand it must be incredibly irritating to explain it after a while. I think this forum may answer some of your questions regarding how to talk about it: http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/a... Also, tell parents to look it up online with their kids. Tell them it will explain much more than you can. This should save you quite a bit of time. I think the most important thing, though, is to teach your son how to answer these questions himself. It will empower him. Children always have a much simpler way of putting things that often put to shame anything an adult can say. He will be proud of himself, talking to grown-ups about something he understands and experiences, and I think it will touch those adults more than anything else can. I also believe he could explain it to the other kids in about 20 seconds and then continue his playtime with them. Kids tend to understand these things much more quickly than adults, who often complicate everything. All the best. =) When I was diagnosed with type 1 a few years ago my children were 7 & 9. It was a trying time for all of us and they wanted to learn everthing. It was almost as if the tables had turned and they were the parents. I got a great book from a diabetes educator that is used for children with diabetes to teach them. But We used the book to help explain things about me to them. I would try to get a hold of a good book and offer it to the parents of your sons friends to read and also for you to read to then at your home. Your sons teacher and teachers in the future can also use it to read to the class. I also teach and I had to explain my condition to my students, and this method has worked so far for me. Good luck to both you and your son. Hi, our daughter was diagnosed at nine months, so I understand what you are going through. I am shocked at how many people say stupid stuff like "did you give her too much sugar when she was a baby?" The JDRF issues a great book featuring the Pink Panther that is very clear and easy for the layman to understand. You might also try www.childrenwithdiabetes.com for additional resources. You have to do the explaining the beginning of every school year and time at camp. He's only 5 and you're exausted ? My daughter was dxed at age 2 and is now 17. It is amazing the things people think.Just take it one moment at a time. Good luck. |
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