3. Talk to your child. Try to explain the basics of the disease to them in an age-appropriate way. When they ask if they’ll have diabetes the rest of their life, tell them they’ll have it until there’s a cure and the scientists are working on it right now. When they say having so many shots sounds awful, don’t say, “Oh, come on, it won’t be so bad.” Instead, say, “Yeah, it does sound awful, but we’re a team and we’re all in it together, and we’re going to get you through this as a family.” If they ask you questions you don’t know the answers to, say so, and add that the family’s going to learn about diabetes together. Emphasize they can still be whatever they’d like to be when they grow up, with the possible exception of an F-14 fighter pilot. (That could change by the time they’re old enough to enlist!) You may want to take a look at our list of famous people with diabetes, in case there are a few your child could identify with. It’s your decision as to how far to go with it, but my advice is to steer away from questions about possible long-term complications (heart, eye, kidney problems, for example) for two reasons: First, they may never get any complications; and second, hopefully, there will be a cure by the time the “long-term” comes into play. Kids need a childhood. It’s your job to worry, not theirs—in fact, when my daughter starts to worry, I cut her off and say, “Oh no! You’re doing my job. I’m the one who’s supposed to worry, not you. Please don’t take my job.” Don’t talk about them being sick; talk about keeping them healthy. One thing hasn’t changed with this diagnosis: Your job is still to do everything you can to keep your child healthy.
4. Don’t forget siblings. They deserve an explanation of what’s going on, also in an age-appropriate manner. They may ask you if they will get it, too. (Genetic testing is available which can tell you what the chances are.) It will be a hard discussion but they probably have unanswered questions. You want to give older children ways they can help their sibling. Explain highs and lows and what they might expect.
