Ask Our Team
How do I handle a 12 yr old not testing & bolusing? She almost went DKA last week and just doesn't seem to care. Her latest thing is lying about her number. Saying it isn't as high as it is so I won't get mad.
Responses
Gary Scheiner says
When your child's life depends on taking insulin, it is your responsibility as a parent to make sure it happens. Any priviledges your child receives (internet access, cell phone, spending money, transportation, etc...) should be contingent on performing certain diabetes self-care behaviors: checking BG regularly, counting carbs, bolusing appropriately, etc... These are NON-NEGOTIABLE behaviors.If the DKA was related to a potential pump/tubing/infusion set malfunction, you may need some additional education on ketone testing and troubleshooting.
Alicia H. McAuliffe-Fogarty says
This is a very common situation for parents and teens (which does not make your situation any easier). A parent's first reaction is to punish a child for doing such a thing, but punishing a child for management of their disease (that they didn't want in the first place) is not recommended.....figuring out what is going on is important and may take some help from your diabetes team and a psychologist. Is your daughter just sick on having diabetes? Is she using diabetes to loose weight? Has she been made fun of because of her disease? Is she embarrassed because of her BG reading and lying? Does she truly forget to bolus? Does she not want a pump anymore and need to go on a pump holiday to injections?These are just a few of the common reasons teens do not adhere to their regimens. Adolescence is a time of growing independence (mom and dad play less of a role in diabetes management) as well as a need to be like your peers (i.e., not have diabetes)....not to mention insulin resistance because of puberty (which makes diabetes even harder to control). This whole period of life for preteens is a recipe for chaos! So, without having a stand-off with your teen (which does not help) try to work with her and her medical team to find a reasonable solution without make judgements (i.e., "BAD" or "GOOD" blood sugars...instead "High" or "Low"). And, once you all agree with a plan maybe set up rewards for your daughter along the way to encourage her and keep her motivated (just like we adults often reward ourselves when we try loose weight).
