This is for you
For the Mama who was up all night fighting highs or lows while her child slept.
For the Mom who slept through the night because she knows if she gets up every two hours, she can’t function the next day.
To the Mama who switched the whole family to a low-carb diet to get those straight lines on her child’s CGM in the hopes of avoiding long-term damage.
To the Mom who kept her child’s diet exactly the same, and works hard to figure out when to use extended bolusing, adjusted basal rates, or a super bolus.
For you Mama, who went back to work to pay for your child’s medical bills and to support your family.
For you Mom, who quit your job because you couldn’t let a stranger take care of the unpredictable disease your child has.
The Mom who has all the latest T1 tech for her child.
The Mama who lets her child go without the tech because they don’t want it. Respecting their wishes even though a pump or CGM may make her worry less.
To the Mom who has to do every finger poke and injection because her child can’t do it themselves.
To the Mama who is taking a step back, letting her child learn to manage their disease, even if they make some mistakes along the way.
To You
Who has forgotten a bolus, mixed up long-acting and rapid-acting insulins, miscalculated a carb count.
Who has slept through an alarm, forgotten to bring low treatment on an outing, didn’t pack enough supplies for a trip.
To the Mom who put her child in therapy because she was concerned about her child’s mental well-being.
To the Mama who cries at night, still grieving the life her child could have had.
You, who cries with your child, because sometimes diabetes really sucks.
You, who is miles away from your child, yet you still wake up in the night worried about their blood sugar.
And You
Who is on the sidelines, waiting to check blood sugar and give some juice if necessary before sending them off to play some more.
Who educates friends and family so that your child can go to sleepovers and playdates.
To you, Mom, who finds a way to say “yes” even when it’s terrifying you to let go.
To you, Mama, who sends her child to camp and on field trips even though it’s scary.
You, who has found your “new normal” and takes it in stride… most of the time.
And you, who is overwhelmed and can’t grasp this ever being normal.
To every Mama of a child with type 1 diabetes
You are doing a good job. More than good. You are doing an amazing job! You have taken the job of being another person’s organ, a job that no one in their right mind would ever want, and you’re figuring it out.
You’re playing nurse, nutritionist, pharmacist, researcher, and therapist more than other moms do.
You didn’t ask for this. But you’re rocking it! Yes, there are some bumps along the road. That’s ok. You’re human.
You are strong, and you are brave. You fight every day to make your child’s life “normal”, to put them first. And they can see it.
You are the expert in your child’s disease. Whichever way you handle it, even if it’s different from how other people do, that’s the right way for you and your family.
Most people don’t understand that T1D is a complicated disease that needs attention 24/7. But you do.
Mama of a child with type 1 diabetes, you are a HERO.
~ With Love from: A Mama who understands
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This is so spot on and I have felt every one of these lines. Thank you for putting this into words. Writing through tears : )
My grandaughter and her husband go through this daily but as you say they are both strong and sensible I’m sure they will get on top of this nasty illness My great grandchild is only 2/and half I’m so sorry I can’t do anything more for them but to be there for them when needed I wish all td1 sufferers Well
Thank you. I needed this today. Its good to know that others understand.
It all rings so true. Thank you.
It does get better. The new pumps and artificial pancreas developments are hope for us all. Best wishes to all the Mums
Sue Parrott (mum of Tom aged 34.)
)
So beautifully put bless every mummy daddy that have embraced this and to all the children xxxx💝💝💝💝
Wonderful and so deserving .
This has caught me as I was falling. Thank you
Thank you for acknowledging all our different journeys!
We are all in this together. I’m glad I found your community!
My mom (and dad) are my Heroes!! I was diagnosed at 18 months old and am now 49 years old. They are who I share my Dexcom with! I cried the first time I was able to share with them- the first time they ever KNeW what my sugar was when I was away from them. They had a Tough job raising me, but did a great job! Testing urine for years, then finally blood sugar at home, measuring my food- back in the day there were no Diet Cokes or carbs listed on labels. T1 moms (and dads) are My Heroes!!!
Thank you for this! It is spot on! We are some pretty amazing Momma’s!
Strength and energy to all
whom have to deal with this!! ❤️
This is such a great acknowledgment to the moms of T1D children. I was once a T1D child (diagnosed at 7) and I am now an adult with no complications and two healthy kids. I would have never made it through without my mom and my dad. They taught me how to handle this disease and how to see the happiness in my life. As someone that was once a child with this disease I want to remind you that one day you will hand this all over to your child and they will become a well rounded adult with the ability to cope with everything that this disease brings them BECAUSE OF YOU. They will manage and you will be able to
Sleep again. My mom doesn’t even know what devices I use anymore. Her job is done for this disease. She continues to be the best mom in the world but I’m so proud that she no longer has to carry this burden as well. She will never stop worrying but now it’s easier for her. You will get there too and your bond with your child will be unlike most. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t feel so fortunate to be alive. I get burnt out and I have cried but I always feel in my heart that I am so lucky. Hats off to you moms for lifting your kids up and allowing them to grow with this disease. For always trying to see it through their eyes and taking a deep breath before reacting. I promise you one day you will hand off the care to them and you will be able to pat yourself on the back when you see them manage it all. Let that be your long term goal. This is their journey and they picked you to help them along the way.
And to all the T1 Moms in developing countries who have to queue up and sometime shove and push in hospitals to get insulin foe their little ones then find a Coke fridge to store the insulin. The mom for whom strips and pokes are a luxury…they only poke when necessary. The mom who has to give their T1 child extra lantus because they cannot afford rapid acting insulin. The mom who does not know who an endo is…or dexcom or pumps but she is still invested in keeping their child alive. Here is a BIG UP for those incredible moms.
And moms who are fighting to death to get their children CGM systems for making their life more easier, because the government of their country doesn’t care about them at all