Do T1 parents of 2 T1 kids still blog? Is there a more interactive form of online support?

Okay, so I dropped off the blog radar for a while, but not off the T1 scene. I was busy taking care of my two T1s. Additionally, I have about 9000 members and a still growing online community I co-founded called POKED as a Facebook community. Parents of Kid Enduring Diabetes. A place for parents to go to read, share, hide, open up, and most of all support one another it is a closed group and you can find us on Facebook.
 I needed a support group. I didn't think I did ;) I was a bit old school. I thought doctors will/should become your number one resource when your kid gets diagnosed with type 1 diabetes because suggested upkeep for pediatrics is a visit every three months, but even while an appointment every three months seem like ‘really’ that often? Sometimes it can feel like an eternity. But...Where can you go to learn from others parenting T1 kiddos experiences? 24/7 you will find folks from around the world awake and willing to help and share online. An online community. a judgement free group of folks who have been there and get it. Yes, there are T1 Trolls – seeming parents (??) who disagree or steer you in crazy ways like: cinnamon will cure your child (it won’t if you were curious), Oils, vitamins and fad diets will come up, and often get shut down just as quickly (even though. If any of these ideas trigger your curiosity – consult your doctor. Never stop your kids’ insulin regiment for any reason. For now (cue eye’s welling up) there is no cure.  I know, it sucks, and it is okay to admit that, deal with it… keep up with care and continue to hope, pray, fundraise, sing, dance… whatever you do to bring us towards that cure.

So you understand that doctors alone can’t and won’t cut it. How about friends and family. In a perfect world with unicorns and rainbows, they will be tremendous support… and I am an optimistic person, but believe me when I say, unless you are going through it, this one is tough reality to really understand unless you live it. Invite your family along for learning sessions, and close friends too. You will want and need back up even if you think you have this on your own. When my son was 4, I waited 3 whole years to trust even the grandparents to keep him safe under their care overnight. Extreme? Probably… but I needed to know what I was doing and be able to explain it in a way that allowed others to care for my child in a way that made me comfortable knowing they would be safe. Plus, changes will always occur, and non-parents of T1 (NPoT1) will say, ‘but you said_________ last time’ and they are right, changes happen, daily, hourly and sometimes by the minute in how to care for a T1. So pace yourself, we are in this for the long haul (if our kids choose to keep us in their lives that long) –  other POKED, they will get you, bond almost instantly and understand changes, because they experience it too. 

And get yourself (and possibly your kiddo, if necessary) a family therapist who can help navigate the tricky waters of parenting kiddos if you are lucky enough to have a (T1) specialist in your area don’t miss this chance. I am not saying you need one today, but if you do, or your kid does, know you are not alone, we all need help in parenting (why don’t kids come with manuals?!) and not burning out from managing T1 is something you and your child will endure. Sorry, but even without T1s life gets complicated and teens melt. T1 just puts them on a flaming course to navigate safely, and it can and will be done. most even make it through without many battle wounds. Especially those who knew it was coming, and were prepared.