My mother has diabetes and doesn’t take care of her body. I know I am only 14, but I am really scared that if she doesn’t eat right and do a little exercise something might happen to her. She eat sweets as if she were my age and her body can take the sugar. When we go to the store, I try to buy low sodium and no sugar or less sugar items for her to eat, and I don’t eat any sugar in her face. My sister and brother think it’s just a big joke, but when she is gone they will miss her.

Your mother is so very lucky to have such a concerned and caring daughter as you are. It sounds as if you are very worried about the choices she makes, especially around her health. Have you told your mother how much her choices scare you? She may be willing to listen to your worries if you ask her to sit down and talk (of course you need to find a time that she is not busy to do this). Also, are there any other relatives or friends that you can talk to about your mother? Maybe your mother has some siblings or cousins she feels close to who can talk to her (many times grown-ups will listen to another grown-up, but not a child).

You may wish to talk about your worries with your own pediatrician or with a teacher that you trust. They may be able to help you. Finally, you may be able to join your mother at her next doctor’s appointment and then tell her doctor (with your mother there) how worried you are. Keep in mind that no matter how hard you try to care for your mother, you can not control her choices or her behavior. So do the best you can to encourage and support her, but remember that this is the most you can do.

JWB