Coping with playdates: child with type 1 diabetes

[blanchett0109]

Hi there,
I'm hoping there will be some other folk out there with similar experiences who can help.
My son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two months ago. He's 6, and has coped remarkably well, other than a few meltdowns and seems to have accepted it ( much more than me!). He does his own glucose tests, prepares his own pens for injections and we then inject and count the carbs. His levels are reasonably steady and the Consultant has told us we're doing a great job - so all good. However, I feel really fed up about how it's curtailed his freedom. He used to go off to his friends no problem at all and stay for meals etc. Since diagnosis he's been on playdates but only for a few hours and just gone with his glucose reader and some lucozade and instructions on the snack he can have and what to do if he has a hypo. What do others do? Did you wait until they could inject themselves before letting them go for longer periods to people's houses? I feel like it's a lot to ask people to inject your child and a big responsibility, howwver I want him to have some normality and also it's really going to restrict what we can do in school holidays as we used to share childcare with friends. We have no family living nearby so don't have anyone else to call on.
So I just wondered how others in the same situation managed. Is it cheeky to ask people ? It's a lot of information to give and I don't really feel comfortable unless I know they are comfortable in taking it on or should I just bite the bullet?

[TheHouseOnTheLane]

To be honest, at age 6 a few hours is what's normal for a playdate anyway. I wouldn't ask any of his friend's parents to do injections. It's putting them in an unfair situation...A it's not their responsibility, B what if they did it wrong/badly and C some people simply couldn't cope with it.

[SecretSpy]

I think in a few more months you will both be more used to it and have more idea how stable he is and if a hypo is actually likely or very rare.
It wouldn't bother me at all but I'm an HCP but I have a DC I can't send off for long play dates or sleepovers for other reasons so I can see where you're coming from. It can feel like another bit of normality that the condition has stolen from you.

[Picklesauage]

Are there some friends who he sees the most? Could you train their parents.
I know I wouldn't mind I have done it before, I am a teacher. I know with one boy that's what his parents did. They organised a training session with a nurse and some friends and family. It worked well.

[Tidypidy]

Hello. My ds1 is 7 and was diagnosed 6 yrs ago. He hasn't been on many play dates but when he does he takes glucose tablets and a list of basic hypo symptoms along with my phone number. I make sure I test before he goes and if he's below 8 I give him a glucotab. He's usually running high when he returns but I and his PDSN agree that it's fine for short periods if it means he gets a social life! DS has an insulin pump so there's no need to inject but even so parents have offered to do it for him. I've declined for reasons above.

[blanchett0109]

thanks for the responses. I've been lucky in that his best friend's parents are doctors so they have offered. I think theres a difference between accepting if people offer and asking. I think my gut feel not to ask is right judging by responses, but if people offer I think I'd be crazy not to accept as long as they are comfortable. I think its vital he has a normal life and also I freak out all the time what if something happens to me? At the moment my biggest concern is that I am due to give birth again in May and my parents are five hours away by car so if anything happens quickly then I need someone who could look after him whilst me and my husband are in hospital so I guess thats playing on my mind the most. Not having family is the real concern as you dont want to ask friends too much.

[blanchett0109]

Thats a good idea re. the list. I think normal playdates are fine following what you've said but going for tea is a different matter!

[Tidypidy]

Going for tea is more challenging yes. We've either all gone which feels like too much of an imposition or they always come to us but them ds misses out. When dc3 was born my parents came to stay and had the pdsn on speed dial! The nurses knew the situation and were more than happy to be on call for my parents.