First off, don't be so hard on yourself. Most of us didn't know the complexities of diabetes and what a pain it is to care for a child with it (especially one as young as Nate) I know I didn't! You are doing such an awesome job. Do what you feel is best for your child and (excuse me) screw everyone else.

Personally, I got Bryce on a pump so he could just be a kid. I let him eat whatever I let my non-D kids eat (which is less than most parents let their kids eat but still enough of a treat) If he is high at the time, I cringe and just bolus him like crazy. I have talked to my endo and a couple CDEs and others that basically told me to not stress the occasional highs, let him have treats.

Should you ease up? Maybe. but you know your son and what you can handle better than anyone else. Whatever choice you make will be the right one because you love Nate.

Laura, you are not a hypocrite at all. I was a freakin' nurse in a Pediatric ICU for the love of Pete and I had NO IDEA what really went into managing type 1 diabetes.

When Joe was 3 and 4...our schedule saved us. I felt Joe's numbers were "more reliable" with set meal and snack times AND with set carb grams. It made the gluco-coaster less dramatic, if you will.

Now that Joe is older, I find that we can loosen up a bit on the schedule. Can he just snack willy-nilly - heck no! But, I have found that the schedule doesn't have to be so strict to accomodate stable numbers. I think it comes with age. For the next few years I think, unfortunately, the schedule will need to be in place for your sanity and for Nates wellbeing.

I love you and all that you do to care for your most gorgeous Nate The Great!!! MUAHHHHH

I agree with Denise, don't be so hard on yourself. A couple days won't hurt. I tend to be a little more laid back about it on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mostly because I have to be or I'll go crazy. The Holidays are crazy enough with my family and add D to that and I pretty much go insane. I only wish that our families would be more accommodating to our eating schedule, but they aren't.

I should have pushed the issue when Lovebug was first diagnosed, but I didn't. I didn't want to offend anyone. I tried to work around things. Now I wish I hadn't been so nice about it. Maybe they would understand more if I would have pushed the issue. Then again maybe not.

You do what is right for you and your family and shame on them if they don't try to understand.

Thank you, Laura. You could not have pegged more how I feel. We are just about 2.5 months into this and we for sure don't have it all figured out, but still, it is just getting all over me that people don't get it! I mean, no it isn't ok that my mother-in-law got chocolate milk and thought it was ok because it was skim. Hell-ooo? it is 26 grams of carbs FOR. A. DRINK. How hard is it to understand you have to look at the CARBS, not the sugar... not the calories... the CARBS! And good grief, did they always have so many cookies and donuts at Sunday School or do I just notice it now that I would really prefer that Aiden didn't have it. And why did my health nut of a five year old daughter, Emma (non-D) suddenly decide that she HAD to have said cookies when she never wanted them before! Ugh!!But I just feel terrible because my Dad has had type 2 for a while and I just busted out the full sugar desserts in front of him like I was Paula Deen. :( How mean was that? And then there is the issue about me wanting people to see Aiden as just the precious litte 3 year old that he is and that he is "just like everyone else" and it makes me furious when people say that he can't have this or that and I want to yell at them that he can. But at the same time, I want everyone to know the seriousness of the disease and how it is HARD and we do need to do everything we can to find a CURE! So... all that to say... Thank you. It helps so much to know that others have the same thoughts and feelings that I do. :)

I dont think yourE a hypocrite at all. Why? Because no one took the time to educate you but youre taking the time to educate them. We dont have family in vegas which is where we have been living since J got dxed but my moms coming to visit today with my brothers who are 7 and 10 and I let her know. We have a schedule, when Js high NO ONE eats. We have protein and wait for the carbs till hes at a reasonable number to eat, if hes low NO ONE plays we all sit down and relax till he comes up. Im with you. Ppl dont get the effort we put into keeping our kids safe, and healthy. I dont think you should have to let him have an off day but thats just me. We know how shitty highs feel for them and if ketones join the party well then fuck! Then they will all feel your wrath and regret it anyway. So long story short do what you feel is right for you and yours, dont concern yourself with whats best for them. YOURE AN AWESOME MOM AND PANCREAS DONT YOU FORGET IT!!! LOVE YA!

Oh geez... well, if you're a hypocrite then so am I! I so get this. THings are better now with the pump... but on shots it was awful. It's still hard. To be at a bday party and need to eat dinner... and cake... at the same time. We can't wait an hour. She'll crash if we double bolus like that. Time... oh yes. If we are getting together at 6 for dinner... then we need to be ready to eat at 6. They don't get it. And you feel like an ass for getting uptight about it. But you know what it does to their bodies. I feel your pain. I finally just was like - I'm doing what's right for my girl and the rest of you be damned. If you don't like it - kiss my grits! That's why to this day it haunts me the way I handled students with D. I didnt get it.
Hang in there, lady. Do what's right for you and keep on educating and advocating. Some people won't get it. Ever. Some will. Know that you are an awesome possum! No matter what!

He's still very young and won't know the difference...if this schedule doesn't work for you and the D...well it just doesn't. I didn't send Ellie to pre school today because 1) I really don't have her costume ready for her (costume day at school) and 2) We went on a road trip last weekend and she was high most of the 4 days we were gone...Pre school was going to be nothing but candy and cake and quite frankly she has no idea she missed anything. This will be the last year I can probably get away with her not participating in an event like this and I took full advantage of the fact that I could get away with her missing and me not having to battle a nasty high and arguing over how much candy she can eat...I feel like a big ol' piece of crap, don't get me wrong. But you do what is right for you and your family and let everyone else decide what they will ('cause they are gonna anyway). Show up late if you have to, do it with grace and know that you did it because it was important for you and yours...they'll never truly get it of course, but they may try harder next year and your schedule may be different next year so it won't matter anyway?! Remember, Halloween isn't necessary...ever. Cook your own little event up at home and enjoy without stress! (you don't even have to tell anyone you all did that!) Bobbbbb in your own backyard bbbbaby!