Barbara Anderson PhD

Marisa Hilliard PhD

Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital

Houston, TX

Diabetes is demanding. Complex, unrelenting, expensive.

Behavior is the foundation of diabetes care, yet not the only influence on blood glucose (BG) levels.

Parents often feel out of control of BG levels, yet hold themselves 100% responsible.

Arguments about diabetes are exhausting.

Worries and fears can be all-consuming.

The demands take a toll.

DistressFrustration, conflicts

BurnoutFeel

overwhelmed

Burden Exhausted

You are not alone. Distress and burnout happen.

Every family has some diabetes conflict.

Keep an eye out for early signs: Feeling overwhelmed, no control, you can’t keep up

Down mood, pessimistic outlook

Sense of “giving up” or losing motivation

Irritability, more arguments about diabetes

Exhaustion, fatigue

Feeling alone or isolated

But you can live well with diabetes!

Developmentally appropriate parent

involvement in T1D management.

Less family conflict about T1D

management. More teamwork.

Better T1D management.

Lower A1c, higher quality of life.

What is “living well” with diabetes in your family?

What do we enjoy doing?

What are we good at?

What is going well in diabetes care?

How can we build on what is going well?

How can we use our strengths for diabetes?

Find your strengths. Use them.

So many influences on blood glucose numbers.

Punishing numbers “Blame and shame”

Most control over diabetes management behaviors.

Catch your child being good!

More is going well than you might think.

Praise diabetes management behaviors:

More likely to happen again

Create positive atmosphere

Develop confidence, feel ownership

Praise behavior, not numbers.

You do not “pass” or “fail” diabetes

Major changes can be daunting

Open communication with healthcare team is key.

Small changes, one step at a time.

Focus on behavior goals

Each step achieved will reinforce management behaviors

Celebrate each success!

Set realistic goals.

Diabetes is serious business.

Also, funny stuff happens.

Finding humor in stressful situations can be a useful (and fun) way to cope.

Please share a funny story

with the group or your

neighbor!

A little laughter goes a long way.