Question from London, United Kingdom:

My five year old has become so opposed to his blood sugar testing that it is a physical fight to test him. I have to hold his foot (the only place he will let me test anyway), in a lock under my arm, while he screams and tries to pull away. I feel so exhausted by the end of it, and so upset. I don’t want him to “win” as this is too important an issue to let slide and address when he is older. Recently, when he has been tested in public, as he was exhibiting symptoms of a low, his performance was such that security was called and we were asked to leave. As this was a children’s hospital, I really feel at my wit’s end.

I have tried all the “test Teddy/Mummy/Daddy first” routines, threats and bribes, all to no avail. I have got a new monitor with a less painful lancet but he prefers the old one. Is there anything to help explain it to him? What can I do next?