My 3 year has a very inquisitive mind and could absolutely drive you mad with the millions of questions he can come up with. He never wants to hear the straight forwards answer. He always wants the answer with detail. He loves learning about new things and is absolutely obsessed with everything from Space, to Volcano’s and the sea. His favourite subjects of discussion right now are the human body and my diabetes.

I’ve never felt that I have to hide my diabetes from anyone and it has never been a secret to my son either. He is very use to seeing me changing my inserts, playing with my insulin pump, pricking my fingers and he’s even found strips I’ve dropped in some place or another. If I’m guzzling down a sweet drink, he’ll ask me, “Mami is your sugar going low, low, low?” He’s very brave and has come to understand that in situations where my BG is dropping, that I need something sweet. He’ll run to my “special” cupboard of sweet goodies and bring a whole selection of foods and drinks. Of course he’ll wait patiently, smiling his biggest smile, waiting to get his sweet or sip of my drink hahaha! 

I guess right now he’s just taken a strong interest in my diabetes. Instead of just being an observer he wants to get involved and help me with anything diabetes related. He has even asked me a few times to test his blood glucose level and is starting to understand what a good number and bad number is. He’s even asked me if he can insert my insert. On many occasions he’s been with me at my diabetes appointments, taking it all in.

I recently made the decision to teach him how to dial my husband’s number, family members and even the emergency services. Just in case I may need any of them and he is the only one there. Thank god this has never happened and I pray I don’t need him to call anyone in an emergency. Surprisingly enough I ask him from time to time if he remembers and he recalled every instruction and number I gave him. He never ceases to amaze me.

Being a mother with diabetes I feel that it’s very important that my son knows about my condition and doesn’t feel ashamed or afraid of it, but instead that he knows every aspect of it. His recent curiosity and approach to diabetes makes me very proud. He has a great deal of awareness of what diabetes is and how it affects me. Now that he has taken an interest I try my best to include him in what I do on a daily basis. If he has any questions I always give him a good answer. He now knows that although he doesn’t have it the lady in his life (his mami) does. I’ve come to realise that although it affects my life ultimately it also has an effect on his life.

I really hope that other mothers and fathers with diabetes will be able to read my post and not feel that they have to hide their condition from their children. Include your children and don’t feel ashamed to share this aspect of your life with them.

Amina xxx