As an adult, you’re probably going to be much more independent with your diabetes right from the start. But parents are still going to be worried and frightened about the diagnosis, especially if they don’t know much about diabetes. So it’s worth considering how much involvement you want from them, and whether there are aspects of your diabetes they can help with.
Everyone’s different, and every parent /child relationship is different as well, but here are a few tips and things to consider:
If you still live at home
Parents still probably play quite a large part in your life, even if it is only doing the cooking, shopping and washing. So naturally they are going to be quite involved in your diabetes.
- Make sure they know of any changes to your eating patterns.
- Talk to them about your insulin: when you need to take it; how you need to store it and how you get rid of your used sharps.
- Make sure they know about hypos. When you’re new to diabetes, you're not going to be familiar with how a hypo feels so if one creeps up on you, your parents might need to help you out with it.
- Parents are going to be anxious about your diabetes, so decide how much input you want from them, and explain that to them tactfully.
- Think about how much support you want from your parents. Being diagnosed with diabetes can be a huge shock, and can make you feel quite depressed. Do you want to off load on your parents, or do you prefer to confide in friends?
- Consider your parents feelings. They are likely to be as upset as you about the diagnosis. Keeping them informed can help.
- Be aware that they might have some incorrect ideas about diabetes, especially if their only knowledge of it comes from an elderly relative. So check out anything you aren’t sure about with your healthcare team.
- Parents are going to worry about you going out drinking and clubbing with your diabetes. Let them know that you can manage these activities safely, but be aware that it might take some time for parents to relax about this.
If you live away from home
A lot of the above will still apply, but if you don’t live at home it can be even more worrying for parents as they aren’t around day–to– day. So consider how you’re going to reassure them:
- If you don’t want them on the phone all day every day, make a plan with them when you’re going to phone or when you’ll be around for them to phone you.
- Some people who live alone like to have a safety system in place where they phone or text someone first thing in the morning or last thing at night to let them know you’re OK.