It's MARCH!
Do you know what that means? It means I have an eight year old!
It also means that it's been forever since I last posted. And that I have a lot to say!
Unfortunately, I have trouble finding the time to say it all.
In the past few weeks we have experienced some new things and dealt with the same old, same old on D front. Standardized testing. Illness. Random highs. Burnout. Birthday parties. Travel.
The past few weeks alone have shown us that life with a spirited, energetic, independent little girl... who happens to have diabetes... is going to be quite the ride!
But when I sit down to tell you all about it, I stop.
And I wonder...
Whose story is this, anyway?
Is it mine to tell?
She's growing up. She's most definitely her own person. She'd KILL ME if I told you all the details...
I've always had this in the back of my mind. But as a toddler, it was easier. Now, it's more complicated.
I mostly focus on my feelings and my experiences as a parent raising a CWD. I can be transparent with my feelings... because they are mine. But these experiences... they are hers, too. Is it my place to share those with the world?
I don't know. I'm not sure I have the answer. I have to find a way to share MY story which is inexorably linked to hers. To share MY experiences that I know others will relate to... while not embarrassing my child any more than I already have.
I always knew we would get to this point. I just didn't expect it to happen so soon.
So stayed tuned.... I have stories to tell! I just have to figure out how to tell them.
I get it. My T1 daughter is 15 now, so I (12 when she was diagnosed) she is online and would have access to anything I posted. I blogged about her diagnosis and her first diaversary, but after that I kind of stopped. It's tricky. I'm sure you'll find a way to express yourself. Reading about what you go through is helpful to other parents, and I'm thinking that if your daughter knows that she would be on board and understand why you tell your story here. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your stories. I hope you find a way to work it out. I look to your blog and others for insight into the feelings of my child. My daughter has autism and T1D ( relatively newly diagnosed with T1D) one of the things I get from reading blogs like yours is understanding the things my child doesn't have words to say. My child can't tell me how she feels so I love to hear how typical kids feel when they are high or low, or if they are self conscious. Diabetes has helped me to realize that my daughter is still having these feelings she just doesn't know how to express what she's feeling. She hardly shows it when she's hurt or sick but I realize that she's feeling the stress anyway its just much harder to see. I can totally understand your daughters need for privacy and that needs to be respected....but I will miss your awesome posts.
ReplyDeleteMy not so smart phone cut me off before I was finished. I wanted to say that I applaud you and all of the awesome D moms that are brave enough and kind enough to put their stories out there. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy first instinct was to suggest that you talk to her about what you are going to post. But then, what a child would approve a teenager or adult (looking back) might feel differently.
ReplyDeleteI think you are doing a great job even considering this and by keeping her name mostly out of it. It is a delicate battle that I am selfishly glad I don't have to fight.
I just found your blog. I'm a mom with a three year old just diagnosed and I was feeling frustrated and sad and just wanted to hear and read about other moms out there. Maybe that would help you know what direction to take. I too think we need to gaurd sacredly our personal family experiences but there are ways to reach out to others and inspire and uplift with everyday experiences without having to disclose too many personal details. When I read about other moms and their feelings and emotions it helps me know I'm not alone. You seem like one amazing mother an your sweet daughter is BEAUTIFUL. Wishing you and her the best!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog. I'm a mom with a three year old just diagnosed and I was feeling frustrated and sad and just wanted to hear and read about other moms out there. Maybe that would help you know what direction to take. I too think we need to gaurd sacredly our personal family experiences but there are ways to reach out to others and inspire and uplift with everyday experiences without having to disclose too many personal details. When I read about other moms and their feelings and emotions it helps me know I'm not alone. You seem like one amazing mother an your sweet daughter is BEAUTIFUL. Wishing you and her the best!
ReplyDelete