Talking to Kids about Chronic Illness
“Dad, want to play catch?”
Those words meant something was up. They began what I can only describe as a lifelong ongoing conversation with my sons about chronic illness. On that day, it was a discussion about diabetes with my youngest son.
His questions were clear, and I did not need to go into dire warnings or hype the potential outcome. He knew all of that because he had listened to his mom, brother and I discuss it often. What he wanted to know was more basic. Would he be ok? Was he going to have diabetes? When could he expect the worst? I told him what I knew. He would be ok, his mom and I were working hard to protect him and even if the worst happened, one of us would still be here for him. We did not know his risk of having diabetes, but if he were to develop the condition, we would figure it out.
To read more about talking to kids about Chronic illness check out my post on
Health Central
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Rick I worry about this with my son every day. I love hearing what you shared with him. Thank you!
Thank you, Rachel. I appreciate the kind comment.
My nieces and nephew ask me about diabetes sometimes. I don’t see them on a regular basis so they quickly forget what I have explained. But they are very accepting of anything diabetes related.
The only issue is when they want a share of my glucose tablets or other sweets I may have on me.
My sons, now in their 30’s, used to tell me that diabetes was their brother they never saw. I suppose that is true for all children of T1’s. It does children of T1’s or any chronic disease a wonderful sense of compassion I think. It is one of the many things that I have benefited from as the result of diabetes.