How to explain a hypo to my godchild age 6?

[gail2]

i had a hypo last night not a bad one i was with my godchild and family she didt know why her godmum was a bit acting a bit strange
Mum had a chat with her to explain it Shes coming again to see me tomorrow wot do i say to her any ideas wanna explain but dont want to scare her or overload her

 

[Lucyr]

Not sure if this is a bit young but there’s a video here aimed at friends of diabetic children that explains it

Children get over these things though, telling her that you feel better today and explaining what to do if it happens again, that you just need some sugar to feel better, is probably enough

 

[Sally71]

My mum is type 1 and I had it drilled into me from when I was very small that if Mummy was ever poorly I should put some sugar in a glass of water and give it to her to drink. What “poorly” meant was never fully explained and I was lucky enough never to witness her having a hypo.
My daughter was diagnosed at age 6, apart from “you’re like Grandma now” I think we just told her that something inside her had gone wrong and it would make her feel wobbly sometimes, but then just eat some jelly babies and it would make her better again. At that age you just tell them the bare minimum at first and then if they have questions, answer them as simply as you can. Although presumably we had to explain what the finger pricking was for as well, can’t remember what we said for that! Other than you need to do it to see what’s happening inside you so that we can keep you well.

 

[Jodee]

What springs to mind is when I had the experience of watching a honey bee who was desperate to get to the nectar on a flower and he was having trouble finding one that could provide, I could have sworn this honey bee was having a hypo, of course I had to help him along. I guess you could say to the child when she notices you going funny in the future to go fetch a sugar sweet or something along those lines.

 

[gail2]

@Lucyr @Sally71 @Jodee Thank you very much for your promt replys Will tell her that sometimes Gail is ill like that and to tell a growen up or to get some sugar in water
thank you very much for your help
gail

 

[Lucyr]

@Lucyr @Sally71 @Jodee Thank you very much for your promt replys Will tell her that sometimes Gail is ill like that and to tell a growen up or to get some sugar in water
thank you very much for your help
gail

If you keep a packet of sweets in your room like jelly babies you could tell her they’re your special jelly babies and to get you them when you are feeling funny. Might be easier than expecting her to get a glass, some sugar and some water and mixing it up?

 

[gail2]

If you keep a packet of sweets in your room like jelly babies you could tell her they’re your special jelly babies and to get you them when you are feeling funny. Might be easier than expecting her to get a glass, some sugar and some water and mixing it up?

good idea it may well be better for her and i dont have access to sugar to be honest whilst JBs i can keep in room

 

[Lucyr]

good idea it may well be better for her and i dont have access to sugar to be honest whilst JBs i can keep in room

Perhaps if you explain to her tomorrow then maybe next time she could bring you a packet of sweets for that purpose then 🙂

 

[Sally71]

Yes the glass and water thing was just what my mum told me, way back in the 1970s! Better to tell her to give you whatever hypo treatment you normally use. Sorry if my original answer was a bit confusing!

 

[Inka]

Presumably she won’t be by herself with you @gail2 ? An adult could get any treatment and, indeed, you’d be best to keep Dextro tablets with you so you can treat any hypo yourself.

If you’re worried about the effect seeing you hypo had, then it’s simplest just to say you felt a bit unwell.

 

[Satan’s little helper]

Never in my nearly 5 decades has anyone sorted me out? (Not even my mom.) But tentatively with a 6 year old on hypo education. “Run for your mom. Tell her godmother needs the sweets.” You really should have the sweets handy, if you feel “it” coming on.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry you had a bit of a wobble when your god-daughter was there @gail2

Kids are very pragmatic and accepting of such things. I’m sure she’ll have bounced right back, and will absorb a simple explanation without worry 🙂

 

[gail2]

this will make you smile she came to see me last night said i have a sweety for you and took one out of her mouth eeek what could i do but take it and eat it bless her "mummy and daddy told me you were not well"

 

[Thebearcametoo]

this will make you smile she came to see me last night said i have a sweety for you and took one out of her mouth eeek what could i do but take it and eat it bless her "mummy and daddy told me you were not well"

oh bless her. Kids are so funny.

 

[Leadinglights]

this will make you smile she came to see me last night said i have a sweety for you and took one out of her mouth eeek what could i do but take it and eat it bless her "mummy and daddy told me you were not well"

A bit like my grandson who if he was up before Mummy he would go in and hand her her glasses and hearing aids, and say 'here you are Mummy you can get up now'. I thought that was so sweet.

 

[Sally71]

this will make you smile she came to see me last night said i have a sweety for you and took one out of her mouth eeek what could i do but take it and eat it bless her "mummy and daddy told me you were not well"

That’s really cute! If her parents have explained things to her then hopefully you don’t need to say anything else

 

[PhoebeC]

Also all children should know about 999 and what to do if they are on their own with an adult and that adult is very unwell and hurt. You still see regularly in the news that a small child saves a life knowing what to do.

 

[gail2]

Also all children should know about 999 and what to do if they are on their own with an adult and that adult is very unwell and hurt. You still see regularly in the news that a small child saves a life knowing what to do.

So true she knows to 999 if daddy has a turn