Since I signed on to MyDiabetesCentral, my husband has become better about his diabetes. I think he has realized that things were really bothering me, especially if I started writing about it online.
Weekends are still is weak point. It's almost like he is almost too comfortable on weekends, and he lets himself go.
This past weekend, he and my oldest daughter attended a family baptism. His mom kept offering him snacks. Since he was alone with our daughter, he was checking his sugars and being very aware of himself. He said his mom was little annoyed that he was not taking her offers.
He and his mom have always had this little argument about who knows best. Sometimes I blame her for the way he acts when he is low. I think she was a little overly protective, and he does not want me to be like her, so he lashes out. Rumor has it that a year or two after his diagnosis of diabetes, his mom took him to a psychologist to make sure that he did not have any other problems such as behavioral or developmental.
I don't know what it's like raising a child with diabetes, and I do hope that I will never have to know. My husband and I have prepared ourselves by choosing a pediatrician who specializes in juvenile diabetes, bu our pediatrician is also re-assuring about our daughters' chances. Yes, they do have a chance, but it's not as high as one would think.
My husband drives me crazy and makes me mad--as my other posting indicates, but all in all he has been living with diabetes for a long time and he takes his insulin and tries to take care of himself.
Hi Tracy!
I am very happy to hear that things are looking a little better. This is a great community and we're here for you if you need some advice, want to share a win (I would call this a win if your husband is taking a little better care of the situation since you've been writing) or just want to vent a little.
Sometimes I think about the baggage we carry around. Like the folks who are afraid of clowns. What could possibly have happened when they were kids to make them afraid of bright colors and face paint now as adults. Similarly with your husband, you don't know what his mom might have done or said when he was a child to make him the way he is now about his diabetes. But we know parents are not given a manual on how to raise a child and they do the best they can. We as adults then need to take control of our lives and change those things that are just left of perfect.
Kim Benjet wrote an interesting article about being the parent of a type 1 diabetic. You can read it here. While it sounds like your mom in law might have been a little different in her reactions and treatment of your husband, Kim's take on life with diabetes is an informative one. Ginger Vieira is also a type 1, who is a college writer. She wrote an article here that explains how the best intentions of a parent can sometimes backfire.
I am not sure if your husband is the online forum kind of person, but perhaps you could invite him to write Health Central about his own questions and experiences? Just a thought.
I hope things continue to go well and I hope you will stay in touch and let us know how you are your family are doing!! Till the next time, take care.
Vicki M