When one child in the family has Type 1 Diabetes, it’s natural for a lot of time, energy and attention to go toward managing their condition. From late-night blood sugar checks to emergency hypos and carb counting at every meal, it can feel like diabetes takes centre stage. But what about the other children in the family?

Siblings of a child with T1D often experience a mix of emotions- love, worry, frustration and sometimes even jealousy. They may feel left out, resentful or confused about why their brother or sister seems to get more attention. So, how can you balance the scales and make sure all your children feel equally supported and valued? Let’s dive in…

Let’s face it- Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t just show up quietly. It barges in, turns mealtimes upside down, messes with sleep and makes itself part of the whole family’s daily routine. Whether you’re chasing a toddler mid-hypo, reminding a 10 year-old to pack their glucose monitor or negotiating with a teenager who swears they definitely remembered to bolus…you know all too well that managing T1D is a full-family effort.

But here’s the good news: When families come together and support each other, T1D becomes a whole lot more manageable- and life can still be brilliant.

So how does family support make a real difference? And how can you build a united front without losing your patience, your sleep or your biscuit stash?

Let’s explore…

Let’s be honest- when your child was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, you probably transformed overnight into a part-time nurse, full-time snack wrangler and occasional human glucose monitor. It’s completely natural to want to stay right there, ready to catch every wobble, treat every low and double-check every bolus.

But here’s the thing: while your support is everything, learning how to be helpful without hovering is just as important- especially as your child grows.

So how do you go from helicopter parent to helpful parents in T1D? Let’s break it down…

If you’ve ever sat down to a family meal and found yourself asking, “Did you bolus for that?” or “How many carbs are in your mash?” before anyone’s even had a bite- trust us, you’re not alone.

Food and Type 1 Diabetes go hand in hand, but it’s a delicate dance. For some children and teens, food becomes less about enjoyment and more about maths, restriction and pressure. And when diabetes is always the main course at dinner, it can take a toll on mental health and their relationship with eating.

So how can families talk about food in a way that’s helpful, not heavy? Let’s explore how to keep mealtimes positive, supportive and dare we say- enjoyable…