You Are Not Alone

Parenting takes on new challenges when your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, often bringing a mix of emotions such as uncertainty, grief, and questions about the future. While this journey may not look as you expected, many families discover resilience and strength as they adapt. Adjusting involves learning new skills, advocating for your child, and finding balance in everyday routines and small victories.

The resources on this page are designed as a practical toolkit to support you with guidance, strategies, and reassurance. If you are struggling, please know that you don’t have to go through this alone. Your diabetes care team is there to support you and your family every step of the way.

Here are some suggestions which focus on emotional and practical wellbeing to help you to look after yourself so you can be in the best place to look after your child.

When your child is newly diagnosed, it can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to do this alone. Building your support network early helps you focus your energy where it matters most and gives you the strength to keep moving forward.

Some thoughts parents have shared that they've had at the time of diagnosis:

"I cant' get anything right" ,"Why didn't I spot" the signs? They might not have got so ill",
"Who will look after my child now?", "Can I go back to work? Should I go back to work?",
"What does this mean for my child's future?" ,
"Life has changed! What does this mean for our family?",
"I'm trying so hard and it isn't good enough".

Managing Type 1 diabetes is a constant, 24/7 responsibility, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or question yourself. As a parent, you may find your mind filled with “what ifs” and worries about what you could have done differently. It’s no wonder this can feel exhausting and all-consuming, especially at the start. When your world changes so suddenly, self-doubt can creep in, but this doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Heather is a parent of a child living with type 1 diabetes and writes heartfelt, supportive pieces for families navigating life with T1D.

Heather has kindly shared a special poem to remind you that you are not alone on this journey.

When your child is diagnosed with diabetes, it’s completely normal to experience a wave of emotions. In this resource, we explore the cycle of grief to help explain these feelings in more detail.