Your emotional reactions are completely normal. No parent wants their child to have to bear the burden of such an unfair illness like diabetes. If we could, wouldn’t we all take on all of our children’s burdens so that they would not have to deal with them?
Even though your sadness is normal, this does not mean that you have to feel so much pain. You can feel a bit better, feel less sad, and cry less. It might be very helpful to talk with a counselor who has expertise in working with parents of children with chronic illnesses. Most pediatric psychologists specialize in working with children and their parents. Perhaps your son’s diabetes team works with one? If not, talk with them about who they recommend, or ask your child’s pediatrician. Finally, you can contact your local American Diabetes Association to see if they recommend someone to talk to. Sometimes, just having the opportunity to discuss your feelings with a professional can make a world of difference.
JWB
