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If you’re here, you might have recently found out that your child has Type 1 Diabetes. It’s a lot to take in. First off, let’s talk about recognizing those early signs and why getting medical advice is crucial. Type 1 Diabetes often starts with symptoms like extreme thirst, frequent bathroom trips, unexplained weight loss, tiredness, and sometimes even crankiness or a hard time focusing. These signs mean it’s time to check with a doctor. If left untreated, Type 1 can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is serious and potentially life-threatening. If you’re seeing these symptoms, seek medical help ASAP.
A Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Here are ten things I wish someone had told me early on.
By Tiffany Baldwin, Parent to Ryan (age 12) T1D Superstar
1. You’ll Build a Lifelong Partnership with Your Medical Team
Once you’re managing Type 1, having a solid medical team is a lifeline. An endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes will guide you through everything from insulin dosing to carb-counting. A diabetes educator can be your go-to for those day-to-day questions. They’re here to support you in building confidence—not just in your child but in yourself as a caretaker.
2. Technology Is Your BFF
Diabetes management has come a very long way, and tech can make your life so much easier. Here are a few tools you’ll want to know about:
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): These small sensors check blood sugar levels every few minutes, sending data to a device or app. CGMs can help prevent those late-night lows or surprise highs by giving you real-time alerts. Popular brands include Dexcom and FreeStyle Libre, both of which work with apps on your phone.
Insulin Pumps: Instead of multiple injections, pumps deliver insulin in small, consistent amounts and can be programmed to adjust, with your input, during meals or when sugars spike.
Closed-Loop Systems: When an insulin pump is paired with a CGM, the system can become a “closed-loop” or “artificial pancreas” system. Closed-loop systems automatically adjust insulin delivery based on blood glucose readings from the CGM, making it easier to keep sugars in range without constant manual input. This combo can be a game-changer—helping to balance blood sugar levels even when you’re sleeping or busy. We recently started “Looping” and it has truly improved our quality of life. We sleep through the night now and rarely wake to alarms.
Smart Pens and Apps: If a pump isn’t for you, smart insulin pens that track doses and apps that help with carb-counting can also be great tools. Bottom line, there’s no perfect or “right” way to manage diabetes. Choose what feels right for you and your family at the moment.
3. You’re Not Alone—Build a Support Network
A T1D diagnosis can feel isolating, but there’s a big, caring community out there. Look for in-person support groups, if they’re available, or hop online to find other parents who truly understand what you’re going through. Beyond practical advice, these groups offer camaraderie and advice that can be a lifeline on tough days. Facebook has numerous private groups that focus on supporting those living with or caring for someone with type 1 diabetes. Find one that feels good, lean into the community and don’t be shy about asking questions. Diabetes Canada also offers amazing kids and family camps. The experiences we’ve had through these opportunities are immeasurable.
4. Balancing Food, Insulin, and Activity Levels Takes Practice
Type 1 management is all about balance—between carbs, insulin, and activity. Carbs raise blood sugar, insulin brings it down, and exercise can have varying effects. You’ll learn to estimate carb counts, time insulin properly, and predict how different activities will affect blood sugar. The early days may feel like trial and error, but with time, you’ll feel more in control. Still, there will be days that are out of control, even with years of experience, and that’s okay. Every T1D has them. The flat perfect blood sugar graph line is a myth. And don’t hesitate to ask for tips and tricks from other families and your diabetes educator.
Here’s a brief 411 on managing highs and lows…
*High blood sugar–check for ketones if the blood sugar is above a certain threshold (usually above 13.9 mmol/L or 250 mg/dL, but follow your doctor’s recommendations). Drinking water, correcting with insulin, and maintaining physical activity can all help bring levels down. If symptoms persist or ketones are present, seek medical help.
*Low Blood Sugar–hypoglycemia happens when there is too much insulin or not enough glucose. This can occur if insulin doses are too high, meals are missed, or after intense physical activity. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
– Shakiness or dizziness
– Sweating
– Confusion or irritability
– Fast heartbeat
– Weakness or fatigue
If you notice these symptoms, quick treatment is necessary. Give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as 4 ounces of juice, a tablespoon of sugar, or glucose tablets. After 15 minutes, recheck blood sugar and repeat if it remains low. Having juice boxes or glucose tablets easily accessible at home, school, and in your car can help manage lows quickly.
5. This Will Become Your New Normal
As annoying as it sounds, and as much as I hated hearing it because I was in denial and DID NOT WANT this to be our new normal, it did. Over time, you adjust, and things that once seemed impossible become second nature. There is actually a certain comfort in that. The routines you develop become a source of stability, and the fear gradually turns into confidence. We are stronger and more capable than we believe, especially when it comes to our kids. The love you have for your child will fuel you to face challenges you never thought you could overcome. Eventually, you find moments of joy even amidst the new routines, and you come to realize that this new normal, as unwelcome as it once seemed, is something you can handle—and even thrive within. Silver lining – T1D kids are often much more mature and independent than their peers.
6. Mental Health Support is Vital for You and Your Child
Managing Type 1 Diabetes is an emotional roller coaster, and it’s completely normal to feel anxious or even burned out. Connecting with a counselor or finding a support group can be a game-changer. Mental health support can ease the stress, and your child can also learn ways to manage any anxiety or frustration around diabetes. Having an open, honest approach to feelings is essential—it helps create a safe space to talk about fears and frustrations. Take the time you need to find a mental health professional that is knowledgeable about the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes, especially through the teenage years. The Mental Health + Diabetes Directory is designed to connect individuals living with diabetes to registered mental health professionals who truly understand the challenges of living with diabetes. Each listed provider has completed specialized training in diabetes care, ensuring they are well-prepared to offer the right kind of support.
7. Encourage Independence At Whatever Pace Feels Right
Helping your child take charge of their diabetes management can begin with small, age-appropriate steps. Learning simple tasks, like checking their own blood sugar or recognizing the signs of a low, can boost their confidence. As they grow, you can gradually teach them more complex skills, such as carb counting or insulin dosing, allowing them to feel more in control of their condition. Let them take the lead when they’re ready. With our daughter, her biggest strides toward independence have happened when she realized how managing her diabetes could lead to greater personal freedom—like going to sleepovers or attending school field trips without me hovering close by. There are also days when she’s simply had enough and needs a break. On those days, I step in and take over completely, even though she knows how to manage it herself. She has her whole life ahead of her to handle this on her own, and I’m happy to lighten the load whenever I can.
8. Stay Up-to-Date with Resources and Podcasts
Managing diabetes is a lifelong learning process. Following Type 1-focused blogs, social media pages, and podcasts is a fantastic way to stay informed about new technology, management tips, and community stories. You’ll pick up expert insights, plus personal stories that make you feel like you’re part of something bigger.
A couple of our favourite resources are:
– Juicebox Podcast is an incredible resource for families looking for real-world advice and connection. Hosted by Scott Benner, whose daughter has Type 1, it features open conversations with people who live with diabetes, providing insights into what works for different individuals.
– Learn Diabetes Website: A site designed to be an educational hub, offering comprehensive resources about diabetes care. It’s an excellent starting point for learning the basics and finding support networks for newly diagnosed families.
– Beyond Type 1: This site not only has in-depth resources about Type 1 diabetes but also provides downloadable classroom presentations. These can be especially useful if you want to educate your child’s classmates and teachers about Type 1 diabetes in a clear and accessible way. Feeling understood and supported by peers can make a huge difference for a child navigating this condition. It’s also fun to throw out candy at the end for a pop quiz.
9. Prepare for the Unexpected (but Don’t Stress About Perfection)
You’ll face curveballs. Sometimes blood sugars do weird things for no reason, or technology glitches at inconvenient times. Keep a small emergency kit with supplies like fast-acting glucose, spare pump parts, glucometer/lancer and backup pens or syringes. And remember, no one handles everything perfectly 24/7. Some days are just going to be tough. We call them “Hard Diabetes Days.” They happen. And that’s okay. But do prepare, because it lessens the mental load.
10. Give Yourself (and Your Child) Grace & Celebrate the Wins, Big and Small
Managing Type 1 diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s natural to feel pressure to “get everything right,” but remember that both you and your child are human. Some days will go smoothly, while others will be challenging. Take it one day at a time, and offer yourself grace when things don’t go perfectly—you’re doing an amazing job…truly! In the Type 1 diabetes community, many of us celebrate a “Diaversary” each year on the anniversary of the diagnosis. It’s a time to honor the strength and courage it takes to live with Type 1. Whether it’s enjoying a special treat, meeting up with friends who understand, or doing something meaningful like my daughter and I do—going to the spa for pedicures as a reminder to love our hardworking bodies—celebrating these milestones can be empowering. Find moments to acknowledge your progress, and celebrate how far you’ve come.
Type 1 families are incredibly resilient. You’re learning skills that most people never even think about. Reach out, stay informed, and don’t hesitate to lean on your community. You and your child *can* do this, and you’re not alone.
Listen to episode 107 of the aVERY BRIGHT LIFE Podcast HERE
My friend Ryan has diabetes. She is really good with it. I am so proud of her.
