Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport provides good advice for adults with diabetes, parents of children with diabetes and siblings, friends, and other family members. While the focus isn’t strictly children with diabetes, there are several chapters that can be helpful for parents. Dr. Rapaport uses the term “reframing” in her counseling; in other words, she encourages people to use positive terms rather than negative or critical terms when dealing with a person with diabetes. For example, rather than saying “Why haven’t you done your blood test?” one should say something like, “You really should test your blood sugar now because dinner is almost ready.” Dr. Rapaport also notes that people with diabetes should not get discouraged when their blood sugars are high despite following “the rules.” Another subject she specifically mentions with respect to parental care of children with diabetes is “burnout.” She stresses that both parents should learn how to handle all the tasks associated with managing a child’s diabetes.

In general, Dr. Rapaport believes that support, both physical and emotional, is important for the overall well being of a person with diabetes. She believes it is important for a person with diabetes to live life to the fullest, and that having fun is essential.