I often want to sleep at my friend’s house. Every time I ask my mom, she always makes me put my friend’s mom on the phone as if she doesn’t trust me, but she blames it on my diabetes. My friends have been educated on my type 1 diabetes since the time I got out of the hospital. I feel like diabetes is holding me down and I don’t have any time to have fun without her being on me. How do I handle this?

I would encourage you to ask your mom if she can find some time for the two of you to talk about an issue that concerns you (not at a time when you are hoping she’ll say yes to a particular sleep-over, but instead at a time that has nothing else going on). Then, let her know how you feel, and talk with her about all of the ways you are responsible, mature, and able to show that you make healthy decisions around your diabetes care. Then, ask her what else she may need from you before she can relax and let you go to a friend’s home.

Please keep in mind, however, that most parents of teenagers, with or without diabetes, require that they speak with that friend’s parent before allowing their child to sleep there. This is merely a safety issue. What parent would send their child to sleep at a home when they do not know anything about that family? So, you may learn in your conversation with your mother that diabetes really isn’t the reason she wants to talk to these parents.

JWB