Whose Journey Is It? Helping Your Child or Teen Take Ownership of Their Type 1 Diabetes

We were fortunate to have a wonderful endocrinologist early in our journey. He told both myself and my child that we would become the experts in Type 1 Diabetes, but what made his words truly powerful was that he lived by them. He didn’t just hand out advice; he always took time to listen intently to my son’s feelings and opinions about his diabetes and how it was managed. That simple act of respect showed us both that my child’s voice mattered, and it set the tone for how we would move forward together.

Why Ownership Matters

Type 1 Diabetes is demanding. It doesn’t take weekends off, and it doesn’t pause for holidays or exams. For children and teens, living with T1D can feel like a constant negotiation between numbers, food, activity and technology. As parents, our instinct is to fix, guide or even control, but real confidence and resilience come when children feel heard and trusted to make decisions about their care.

Giving them ownership- at a level that’s age-appropriate- helps them grow into adults who are capable of managing their health, their way.

Listening First, Advising Second

The emotional side of diabetes management is often overlooked. Your child isn’t just a set of blood glucose readings or carb ratios; they are a whole person with feelings, frustrations and preferences. If they tell you something feels overwhelming, exhausting, or just “too much,” it’s worth listening to. Sometimes, that pause, that moment of hearing them, is the most powerful support you can give.

Finding What Works

For years, my child used a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) alongside multiple daily injections (MDI). That combination worked for him. Adding a pump into the mix felt overwhelming- two pieces of tech on his body was too much. And that was okay. He was still managing his diabetes effectively, in a way that felt right to him.

As he grew, so did his willingness to try new things. Eventually, at a time that worked for him, he decided he was ready for an insulin pump. The difference was remarkable- not just in the practicalities of diabetes management, but in his sense of independence and pride. He wasn’t pushed into it; he chose it. That choice mattered, and it deserves to be respected.

Respecting Their Timing

The lesson here is simple but powerful: what works for one child or family may not work for another. Tech, strategies, and routines aren’t “one-size-fits-all.” More importantly, children and teens will be ready to try new approaches at different times. Rushing them into change can backfire; respecting their timing can build trust and confidence.

Walking Beside Them, Not Ahead of Them

As parents, we are coaches, advocates, and safety nets. But the condition is theirs. The pump, the CGM, the finger pricks, the carb counting- it’s their body, their daily life, and ultimately their responsibility as they grow into adulthood.

The best thing we can do? Walk beside them. Be ready with knowledge, encouragement and guidance, but leave space for them to step forward when they’re ready. Listen, support and remember that ownership is not only about better management today- it’s about building confidence for tomorrow.