• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

To those who understand

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Gillsb

Gillsb

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
Just had to share this with somebody who would understand.

At 3am this morning I waved goodbye to my 16 year old at the entrance of Gatwick airport with her cousin for their journey to Spain. She will be staying with my sister for 10 days and as you can imagine she was very excited.

Type 1 for 4 years, she has had a tough time throughout her exam year at school with glandular fever and in January, in the height of the illness changed from MDI to pumping. When my sister asked for her to go and stay with them everything in my head was saying "NO" but I knew that was for my benefit - why is it us mums think "we are the only ones that know what to do."

Thankfully she is well now and we had a lovely family holiday ourselves only a few weeks ago, so she is fully aware how to cope in hotter climates with her pump. When I am around however she can be such a typical teenager and i do feel sometimes I am chasing her for blood test/set changes etc. I did talk to her about my concerns and laughingly said "of course I wont forget and deep down I know she wont.

So as she took herself through check-in, airport security etc with probably far more supplies than she will ever need I am left with mixed feelings today, a little worried and little scared but most of all I am extremely proud of her!

Just wished it wasn't so hard letting go.
 
Long ago I was told that, as a parent, it was a matter of giving them roots and wings. Roots so they had a firm foundation in life and a place they knew as home and wings - well that's pretty obvious I guess.

Yes, it is hard letting go - we've been there and done that eh ? - but I hope you can keep your fears under control while she is away and that she has a wonderful time. Think how she would have resented it if you'd said NO and she has gone to be with a relative so not "girls out on the town" sort of thing.

Anyway, as one mum to another, although of a different generation to you, all best wishes and hugs while she is away. Please post again on her return to let us know how she (and you ?) got on. 🙂
 
Morning Gill,

Wow, your post is so so sweet. I have read it and it was as if my own mum had written it. Of course, I'm not 16 nor am I pumping, but your post oozes love, care and devotion for your daughter.

I am 30, had diabetes for 12 years and my mum is still the same, asking my results, even though I don't live at home, the nagging(!) continues and she always asks me to keep safe, even though I believe she needs to say it more than I need to hear it.

I hope your daughter has a lovely time, stays safe and you enjoy your rest, although if you are like my mum, you will not stop worrying!

Put your feet up, have a nice lazy day and await the arrival phone call from your daughter!🙂
 
Ha ha, oops, just re-read your post that you were at the airport at 3am...you have probably already had the phone call! In that case, have a mid morning nap as I'm sure playing chauffeur at 3am wasn't the most fun!
 
Just received text message to say they have arrived safely with a big smiley face on the end of it. No repeat of the hypo she had last night (with the excitement I guess).
 
Ahh Gill what a loving sweet post hun x im in the position at the moment where I can wrap my 10 year old in cotton wool but im dreading the time he gets a g/f etc etc and has his own life I know its going to be tough for me but as my mum always used to tell me its hard letting go but it has to be done its just a natural progression in life.I do hope she has a lovely time but while she is away take the oppurtunity to have some you time rest,relax and just enjoy the peace(but not too much:D)

p.s pleased you have a text that will have put you at ease some what
 
Hi Gillsb - what you are feeling is perfectly natural - every mum, even those with non diabetic children feel the same.

I think we go through it at various stages of life. I remember my son wanted to go drinking in our city for the first time. I didn't sleep until I heard the key in the door, and had to do all I could to stop his aunty wearing a wig and following him. It all feels so funny now but it didn't then.

As Vicsetter quite rightly said you have given your daughter the tools to look after herself in a mature and safe way - she will be fine and if not you know you will be the first person she rings - you should be proud that she is confident to do this and not too nervous to approach such an adventure! Well done!

My eldest son is living in Qatar at the moment -and the day he left I could hardly breathe. I have just been to visit him and watching him live in Qatar society with his impeccable manners and lovely personality (yes i know I am biased!🙂) made me fill with pride as I could see lots of what I taught him on show!

Can you skype your daughter whilst she is away at all - not too much mind!:D
 
Yes I can fully understand your feelings. She will have a wonderful time I am sure, and at least being with family you know there is some serious knowledge about T1 there with her. I remember my lad going for his first sleepover post diagnosis just a mile away from home, and I barely slept a wink thinking "What if". All was fine of course, and he just pigged out the next morning on all the cereal bars I insisted he took in case of hypos! I know that's a bit different to going abroad, but he has been away with friends for a long weekend, and that all went fine too. At least these days with mobiles and the internet the world is a very small place and you can easily be contacted if anyone needs any information.

I'm sure she will have a lovely time, and try and relax and have a bit of a break from all the worry yourself. She will appreciate you letting her spread her wings and it will give her more confidence too. Well done both of you.
 
Parents never stop worrying.
She'll be fine😉
We've all had to let go at some time.
 
vince13 said:
Long ago I was told that, as a parent, it was a matter of giving them roots and wings. Roots so they had a firm foundation in life and a place they knew as home and wings - well that's pretty obvious I guess.
Click to expand...

What a wonderful quote 🙂

I am sure you daughter will have a great holiday and her auntie will be keeping a very close eye on her 🙂
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Love your post... I find it hard loosening the piny strings when either of my 17 year olds go away and they don't have diabetes...hope she has a lovely holiday
 
Update after holiday

Just a quick update on the holiday.

She had a lovely time! Only negative was picking up a nasty ear infection. Unfortunately the antibiotic drops I got from the doctor before she went didnt work this time and really could have done with some oral antibiotics although the Spanish doctor only prescribed alternative drops which took several days to kick in. As with any infection her levels were thrown but she coped well with her pump and really tried hard with temporary basals etc.

May not be perfect readings but it was good to see that she can do it without me being around and I guess its just nice having a mum around to do it for you when you are at home. (What teenager wouldn't).
 
Glad daughter had a good time Gill

Sorry to hear about her ear infection though horrible thing that x
 
Sorry to hear about the ear infection, but very reassuring for you to see how well she coped 🙂
 
Aw, glad she had a lovely time minus the infection! At least you have her back and can now tend to her every whim, which I'm sure secretly she's enjoying, I know I would!!!
 
She probably would have it that way if she could. She's on a sleepover tonight and then awaiting GCSE results on Thursday.

I think the holiday was good for all of us. Deep down I knew she could do things without me but I needed her to show me.
 
So pleased she had a good time despite the blip. In a way it's good if things go wrong when they're away, as they can prove to us that they can handle it and we can worry about them a little bit less! Good luck for the GCSE results 🙂
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top