How to explain diabetes to a child?

[kimkennedy1989]

Earlier tonight I had a severe hypo, I don't remember anything about it. My partner is nightshift and was woken up by me shouting. This all happened in front of my almost 3 year old son who was unsurprisingly frightened. My dilemma is how to I go about explaining to him about diabetes and what to do if this ever happens when we're by ourselves? I'm really concerned and don't want him to be scared of me

 

[mo1905]

I've always found the best way to deal with children is to be truthful. If not, they'll spot it a mile off. Tell him that you have a condition that can, occasionally, make you act strange. As he gets older, you can be more specific. Kids are cool, he'll understand !

 

[kimkennedy1989]

He was really frightened I feel terrible that I made him feel that way, he kept saying 'mummy shouted and I was scared' He knows about my injections ect but I just don't know how to put it to him in a way that he'll understand, that if it happens when we're alone that he needs to call 999. My full body was in spasm and after 2 glasses of full fat juice I was still 1.8. I'm also 13 weeks pregnant which is why I seem to be having these type of hypos as I'm really sensitive to my insulin

 

[mo1905]

I'm sure he was frightened but the more he knows, the less frightened he will feel. Just go through a scenario with him. Show him how to use phone. Make sure he knows address. Teach him to remain calm and that he needs to get help. Honestly, kids are tougher than you think, he may surprise you.

 

[Engineer88]

There have been cases of little ones saving parents in senarios such as youve just said. Goodluck!

 

[Ambersilva]

One of my granddaughters was playing with some toy figurines. She had one lying down and I heard her say, "His sugars are low. He needs some sugar". She was two years old at the time!

 

[kimkennedy1989]

He understands about me needing sugar and he can go get me a snack ect and even helps me with my injections but I cant seem to explain to him how to call 999 if it ever happens when we're alone. I feel terrible for heaping so much responsibility on to his wee shoulders

 

[Engineer88]

Why dont you practice it? or at least have him able to 'get mummy's phone' if your low. have him parrot your address at you, its a useful skill also if he gets lost.

Personally as soon as I have kids who are able to walk and talk I will be doing these things with them!

 

[Thommothebear]

Check with your local council and see if they operate a medical alert service in your area (my local council does). It doesn't cost very much at all and then all you have to do is teach your child when to press the alert button. The rest is automated.

 

[Giverny]

I'd imagine there's some great tools online to help your little one learn how to contact emergency services if something goes wrong. Try having a look on YouTube and see if there's a cartoon he can watch or something. You never know :thumbup:

 

[kimkennedy1989]

He fully understands that I need medicine, can bring me my meter and juice or a snack. It's just how suddenly the hypo occurred and the fact that I got zero warning, due to being pregnant and running my sugars around 4.5 my hypo awareness isn't what it used to be.

He totally went in to shock and was frozen to he spot when my partner got downstairs, as you can imagine someone having full body spasms on the floor & drifting in and out of consciousness is scary for an adult to see, never mind a two and a half year old.

Thank you for all your hints and tips, I'll definitely keep repeating the address to him and also to say that I'm diabetic. It's just difficult to expect a small child to remain calm and know what to do if a sever hypo like this happens again

 

[C burns]

I explained to my 2kids last year aged 2 and 3 that mummy's blood is different from theirs and it's because I'm type 1 diabetic. I hav great neighbours and I have taught both kids how to unlock the door and go to my neighbours for help if I'm not well. They also know how to phn 999 but I'd rather they were out way and safe first. I no sum people may think its irresponsible to teach them how to get out the house and seek help from a neighbour but my husband works shifts and I'm putting their safety first x

 

[mikegresty]

the first lesson is to teach use of the phone to contact family or 999 at least with 999 they will find you even if the child fails to explain or give proper location as for how to explain I started with a simple I'm poorly description and need to eat to stop me falling along with intense warnings about never touching my medications and injection materials

 

[Rebecca24601]

Hey Kim, I reckon you could treat it like a challenge. Call him into the lounge one day and tell him it's time for his superhero training to begin because he's a big strong boy and you know that he can handle anything. Then explain to him that part of your having all your injections and blood testing etc. is that you sometimes get unwell, and see if he remembers the night you mentioned. Then tell him that sometimes you might need his help as a superhero, and explain to him what you'd like him to do in that situation- first check with you if you need help, then if you don't respond/say yes to grab your telephone and ring for help (I'd have 999 saved into your contacts in your phone under 'ambulance' or something), and to tell them that you're diabetic and you need help. You could then act out the scenario with him (but have the number saved to 'ambulance' substituted to your partner's mobile number for now) and then once he's got the hang of it, tell him he's an awesome superhero with special powers to make you feel great and give him a treat. Get him to pick a superhero name and everything, and make sure he understands that it's real life and important but as long as he helps you, then you'll be okay. I know a lot of kids I work with respond well to this type of approach if I need them to help me with anything because it makes them feel capable and special!

 

[kcarson]

Cbeebies have a show 'get well soon' which tells about diabetes I have shown it to my son who is 2 to try and explain to him about it.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App

 

[ConradJ]

He fully understands that I need medicine, can bring me my meter and juice or a snack. It's just how suddenly the hypo occurred and the fact that I got zero warning, due to being pregnant and running my sugars around 4.5 my hypo awareness isn't what it used to be.

Hi Kim,

My eldest daughter is 2yrs and 8 months (my other is just 7 weeks) and I've been in a similar predicament: I've had some pretty horrendous hypo's in the past 18months that have seen me flip from Mr to Mr. in a split second - and I've ranted at her in a blind rage with all the attendant fright, tears, etc., and I can't begin to relate how sick I've felt about it when I've regained myself.

Happily (despite the recent rise in my HbA1c ) , my overall control has smoothed out and the extremes lessened so that I have only had two 'angry episodes' in the past three months. Nevertheless, I'm conscious of the need to keep us both safe and get help should it be needed... I'm grateful for the replies here as they have given me the ideas when my own brain has been so preoccupied elsewhere.

Anyway, ramblings aside, I note your comment about keeping your BG levels around 4.5 and your 'loss' of hypo awareness: I have one piece of advice to give: contact your DSN / consultant / GP and talk to them about this. If you continue to have reduced awareness this could become a major threat to you, your son and your unborn child - e.g. what would happen if you went hypo whilst walking along a busy street?

Your medical team may advise you to raise your BG's a little in an attempt to reset your body's hypo warning mechanism or there may be something else you can take to assist. If the above mentioned are of no help; there should be a Diabetes Specialist Paediatrician / Midwife, with whom you can talk and get help/advice.

Best wishes with your pregnancy - and your diabetes!

C.