ADVICE TO PARENTS OF TWEENS WITH DIABETES

· The parents’ role is to help your tween with diabetes learn how to make healthy choices for a lifetime. Remind your tween that good self-care now will lead to good health in the future.

     ·         Encourage your tween’s gradual and progressive involvement in self-care based on his/her maturity, skills, readiness and interests.

·         Be sensitive to your tween’s needs – both as a tween and as a person with diabetes. Remember that tweens with diabetes are still tweens.

·         Effective communication is frequent, open, direct, bi-directional and respectful.

·         Communicate regularly, but don’t nag. Discuss clearly and calmly the situation and options.

·         No guilt trips! If the tween’s blood sugar check reveals a number outside of their target range, remember to describe the result as high/low/normal - not as good or bad.

·         Be consistent, yet flexible.

·         Develop a positive relationship through praise and encouragement.

·         Parents can empower their tween with diabetes when they point out what he/she is doing well.

·         Be patient and calm. Don’t let your own feelings of frustration spill out onto your tween. Join a support group or get professional help if you’re having trouble.