Has anyone had a DCK with type 1 diabetes?

[deliberateliterate]

My 2.5 yo DCB was just diagnosed last week. Understandably, DCM's head is all over the place. At first, she was going to come here during the day every time he needed to be tested. She works 30 minutes away, so that is not ideal. Then she was going to switch him to half days and have gma watch him every morning, testing just before he got here. Then she was going to get a nurse come in. Now she's asking if I would be willing/comfortable testing him and giving him insulin as needed if she provided training from a nurse.

Before I answer her, I was hoping to get a better idea of what is involved from a childcare prospective before I respond.

[Blackcat31]

Yes. I have had two Type 1 insulin dependent child care kids in care before.

My husband is a Type 1 diabetic as well so we are VERY familiar with what it entails.

I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have about it.....

Honestly, there is ALOT more to it than just testing and giving him insulin.
Honesty....if this child is just now newly diagnosed, and given is age, I would NOT provide care for him at this point.

There is ALOT more that you would need to understand before agreeing to this.

Please PM me and I will gladly give you some assistance in making this decision.

[Cradle2crayons]

My 2.5 yo DCB was just diagnosed last week. Understandably, DCM's head is all over the place. At first, she was going to come here during the day every time he needed to be tested. She works 30 minutes away, so that is not ideal. Then she was going to switch him to half days and have gma watch him every morning, testing just before he got here. Then she was going to get a nurse come in. Now she's asking if I would be willing/comfortable testing him and giving him insulin as needed if she provided training from a nurse.

Before I answer her, I was hoping to get a better idea of what is involved from a childcare prospective before I respond.

My husband is type 1 but takes 24 hour insulin.

It takes quite some time to get even an adult regulated and learn necessary care. For a child that age, the risk is HUGEEEEEE because they can't verbalize how they are feeling or if they are having symptoms of too low etc.

I don't think one training session with a nurse is going to get you anywhere if you don't have any personal experience dealing with it. A nurse can show you how to test and how to give insulin, but that is the easy part. There is so much more to it than just testing and giving the shots.

[Tasha]

My daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was 3. I agree complete with Blackcat, it is really not as simple as testing/giving insulin. I sympathize with the mom needing care for her child, but there is no way I'd be responsible for this.
At that age, blood sugar levels fluctuate all over the place, and I was constantly monitoring her. I can't imagine doing that while taking care of other kids. Please feel free to PM me, too, if you have questions. At that age, it is a unique, nerve-wracking challenge.

[Blackcat31]

My daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was 3. I agree complete with Blackcat, it is really not as simple as testing/giving insulin. I sympathize with the mom needing care for her child, but there is no way I'd be responsible for this.
At that age, blood sugar levels fluctuate all over the place, and I was constantly monitoring her. I can't imagine doing that while taking care of other kids. Please feel free to PM me, too, if you have questions. At that age, it is a unique, nerve-wracking challenge.

ESPECIALLY the bolded part!!

[Hazel]

When I was a kindergarten teacher in a large center, we had one of my students diagnosed. Her stepfather agreed to come daily to test her and give her insulin if needed. My center would not allow us to do it for liability reasons.
I would not feel comfortable if it came up here and now, with my FDC. I saw how crazy it was that whole school year for those parents. Measuring out all her foods, labeling them for am, pm snacks and lunch. She had to eat everything sent (and normally she didn't want to). It was very intense in the beginning and I just wouldn't want the liability.

[deliberateliterate]

Wow, ok.

Being completely honest, until last week, I was completely ignorant to diabetes. dCM made it sound so simple. Count carbs, test, administer insulin if necessary. I was completely ready to tell her I was on board, and honestly just came here for affirmation from you all. It sounds like I'm going to have to a lot of research about exactly what I'll be needing to do if I agree to continue to watch him. Thanks everyone, for the honesty.

Blackcat, thank you for the offer to discuss further. I'll PM you during naptime.

lovethis