Caring For Teens

Think back to your teen and pre-teen years - all the conflicting emotions, struggling with new responsibilities, and wanting so badly to fit in. That's everything your teen is going through (or your "tween," if they're in that confusing stage between childhood and teenage years). But they have the added pressures of diabetes self-care on their shoulders.

This is an important time for the whole family -- your teen is eager to achieve independence, getting ready for college or the adult world. But they still need your guidance and support.

If you're new to diabetes, it's important to understand that this condition can affect anyone at any age. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed before age 30. Type 2 diabetes (formerly known as "adult-onset diabetes") generally used to affect people after age 40, but is now appearing in kids as well as adults.

Having diabetes means that you and your child will have additional responsibilities over the years, but that doesn't have to diminish their quality of life. In fact, the added self-discipline may work in your child's favor. None of your hopes and dreams for your child have to change because of this diagnosis.