ParentingDiabeticKids.com

Gary Scheiner says

Is it normal to be rebellious?  It is abnormal to not be rebellious!  Almost every kid goes through a phase like this.  She needs to understand that food is not her enemy and not off limits, as long as she compensates with appropriate insulin.  She also needs to understand that blood sugar values are purely for decision-making; they are not to judge her or the job anyone is doing.  Any readings is a good reading because it helps us to learn and fine-tune.  If a good heart-to-heart talk doesn't resolve the problem, it would be a good idea to have her talk with a mental health professional at the hospital who specializes at working with kids with diabetes.

Gary Scheiner MS, CDE
Owner & Clinical Director
Integrated Diabetes Services
333 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite 204
Wynnewood, PA 19096
toll free: 877-735-3648
(610) 642-6055
fax (610) 642-8046
www.integrateddiabetes.com
gary@integrateddiabetes.com

Alicia H. McAuliffe-Fogarty says

This is a very common thing ...but it doesn't make it OK......You should arrange a meeting with your diabetes educator and all sit down and discuss what is happening without blaming- you don't want to get your child on the defensive.  With a pump there are no "no no's", so if she wants to eat she just has to carb count.  This is a very difficult time for children as they gain independence with their diabetes management- they want to be "normal" and forget they have diabetes and sometimes use it as a way to rebel from their parents.  There needs to be a compromise and your child needs to be part of the planning of how her diabetes is managed- maybe pump therapy is not what she wants at this time and going to injections may be a better option.  All of these things need to be addressed in a meeting with your child's diabetes educator for her health and safety.