[PR4P_Girl]

Hey guys my names Hannah, I'm 14. I was diagnosed almost nine years ago. I've always ha a struggle keeping up with my diabetes. Sometimes it's in better control and sometimes it's not. Lately here I've been a little depressed and have a lot going on. My dad gets super mad when I have high or low blood sugar. It makes me feel like a burden to him most the time, but I want to make it better because I don't stand down to an argument about my body. So is there any ideas on how to talk to my dad about it?Btw he's hard to get through to..

[dano]

Hi Hannah;

Welcome to the Forum!

I went through some of this with my son, when he was diagnosed at the age of 10. I am sure that your Father is just concerned for your health and well being. Approach him gently and do your best to explain how you feel. Be sure to mention to him that stress will cause your blood sugar to do all kinds of bad things and that he maybe adding to the problem, somewhat. Mention to him that being a young lady with diabetes is hard enough, given the pier pressures that you encounter every day, that home is supposed to be a safe haven from the stress of life and that you need and want his support. I hope this helps in some way. Good luck!

[PR4P_Girl]

Hey thanks for the advice, although there has been countless times I've explained how I feel about my health

[dano]

I am sorry that you are having problems. If you can't get support at home it will have to come from somewhere else. Have you given any consideration to joining a Diabetes Support Group? Here is a link to a thread where I posted before. Also, in that thread, you will find people your age. PM one of them and get their email address. Sometimes it just helps to talk and vent to someone that knows what you are going through. There are several threads in the T1 Section of this site, started by people your age. All of them are looking for help and answers the same as you. Good Luck finding someone to talk with and good luck with your control and management.

[markseitzinger]

Hi Hannah. My girls were 14 not too long ago. I like to think I'm not hard to get through to, but they may see it a little differently

If I got on them about controlling their blood sugar, it would surely be because I was concerned. And I'm pretty sure I could come off like like a jerk at times while doing it. I'd be angry they didn't seem as concerned as I thought they should. All this, of course, without knowing how they really feel about it.

For what it's worth I'd let your Dad know that you take it seriously and appreciate his concern. Beyond that, I'd follow up with demonstrating it. Maybe make a little bit if a deal out of staying on top of it. Sometimes it subtlety doesn't sink in with us.

Good luck. Take care.

[working2]

Sweet heart, Your dad is hard on you because he loves his baby girl and wants her healthy. Im willing to bet it hurts him to see your sugar high. That being said you are a growing young lady and need your dads support. It is hard to stay away from the things your friends have and that are so easily accessible. Not just crabs and sweets but in all areas of life. Sweetie it is YOUR body, you have to be the one to fight to keep it healthy. Your dad wants to fight for you, but he can't he can just get on to you to. Its okay to get down. You just can't stay there. Pray and ask for God's help, read your bible too. I just got diagnosed although it has been high for a long time. God and my faith and relationship with Him is what is keeping me form getting depressed and going nuts and keeping strict to my diet. Set goals if you stay at a certain blood sugar for a week allow your self ONE or TWO cookies, or a small ice cream or a hamburger bread included. Im working for ice cream I have to stay below 130 all week to earn it. If I get 131 I don't earn it. Set reachable goals, tell your dad what your goal and reward is then he can support you and see that his baby is setting goals and working hard. Honey you can do this! Keep working keep believing. Tell your dad you get scared too. Try to think of it as him saying "baby, I love you and I want you healthy, I can't make you healthy. I feel helpless in helping you, its MY job to take care of you and protect you, I can't this time, so I'm going to push you." I know it is hard. But you can do it sweetie!

[type1dec]

Originally Posted by PR4P_Girl

Hey guys my names Hannah, I'm 14. I was diagnosed almost nine years ago. I've always ha a struggle keeping up with my diabetes. Sometimes it's in better control and sometimes it's not. Lately here I've been a little depressed and have a lot going on. My dad gets super mad when I have high or low blood sugar. It makes me feel like a burden to him most the time, but I want to make it better because I don't stand down to an argument about my body. So is there any ideas on how to talk to my dad about it?Btw he's hard to get through to..

Hi, Hannah. Maybe your dad is worried and feels like he has no control over the diabetes. I'll bet he wished he could trade places with you when you were first diagnosed.

It can be scary for parents and friends, especially for those people who don't know a lot of people with it. People don't understand that BG can go up for all sorts of reasons. First of all, a T1 diagnosis is not a death sentence. I was diagnosed when I was four, and I've had it over 47 years now. I've not been perfect with my control, diet, or exercising at certain times, but I've made it through this long virtually unscathed.

Really, the key is not to be afraid of testing your BG. You have to. Don't be afraid of maybe a higher number. That's the only way you can take action to correct it. Just recognize it for what it is and deal with it accordingly. I "cheat" smart. That means I check my BG, figure out how many carbs I'm eating, and dose. You can't do that every single day (I wish! lol), but you're human and will want something extra now and then. I had a great doctor when I was younger, and I credit her for teaching me to be independent and figure out how to take care of myself. You can and will too. We're all here to support you. You've got a nice, long life ahead of you. I hope your dad realizes that and that things smooth out with him.