From Panic to Pro: Your First 6 Months with Type 1 (Mostly) Together
So…You’ve just been handed a diagnosis no parent is ready for: your child has Type 1 Diabetes. Your brain is fried, your Google history is terrifying and your’re now the proud owner of a blood glucose monitor, several sharp objects and a thousand questions.
Take a breath.
You don’t have to do everything today. You just need to do the next thing. And then the next. This is your month-by-month survival toolkit for the first six months- packed with emotional support, practical tips and a gentle reminder that you’re doing brilliantly.
Month 1: The Fog & The Fridge Clean-Out
Emotional Survival
Welcome to the club no one wanted to join. You’ll feel shock, grief, fear and probably a wild urge to count carbs in your sleep. All normal. Be gentle with yourself.
Let people help. If someone offers a meal, lift to school or a cup of tea- say yes. Your energy is needed elsewhere.
Logistical Survival
Designate a diabetes drawer. Stock it with hypo supplies, sensors. test strips, glucose remedies and wipes. You’ll thank yourself at 2am.
Create a “go bag”. Always ready with extras: spare kit, snacks, juice boxes. Chuck it in the boot or by the front door.
Start a notes app or diary. Jot down what they ate, how much insulin and what happened. No one expects perfection- just patterns.
Month 2: The Curve is Vertical (But You’re Climbing It)
Emotional Survival
Crying over your child’s toast? Totally fine. Food suddenly feels like maths meets chemistry meets emotional trauma. It gets easier.
Beware of “comparison fatigue”. Every child’s diabetes behaves differently. That mum on Instagram who preps beautiful bento boxes? She has off days too.
Logistical Survival
Meet your diabetes team. Nurses, dietitians, paediatric consultants- they’re your new squad. Ask questions, even the weird ones.
Master the measuring. Invest in a digital kitchen scale. Learn how to roughly eyeball 15g of carbs. You’re levelling up.
Month 3: The Confidence Wobble
Emotional Survival
This is when the “what ifs” hit. What if I get it wrong? What if they hypo overnight? Deep breath: you’re not expected to be perfect. You’re expected to keep showing up. And you are.
Connect with other parents. You need people who “get it”. Try:
UK T1D Families Facebook Group
Breakthrough T1D Peer Support
Children with Diabetes UK
Logistical Survival
Time for school planning. Create an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) with your school.
Share the care. If you have a partner, grandparent or babysitter- start teaching them. You deserve a break (and a nap!).
Month 4: The “Wait, Is This Forever?” Phase
Emotional Survival
Yes, it’s forever. But not always like this. You won’t always be this tired. They won’t always cry about injections. You’re building skills. You’re adapting. It’s slow- but it’s happening.
Plan something joyful. A day out, a treat, a distraction. Diabetes takes over enough- reclaim some fun.
Logistical Survival
Try tech (if you haven’t already). Flash glucose monitors (like the Freestyle Libre) or pumps may now be options. Speak to your team.
Tweak your routine. Some things may not be working. That’s fine. Try a different snack. Change up injection spots. This is trial-and-error territory.
Month 5: The “I Might Actually Know What I’m Doing” Moment
Emotional Survival
You’ll catch yourself explaining carbs to someone and think, “who am I?” Answer: someone amazing. You’re now part nurse, part scientist, part emotional rock.
Your child is adapting too. Whether they’re 3 or 13, they’re learning resilience you never planned- but can be proud of.
Logistical Survival
Start talking future-proofing. Camps, meet-ups or local events. Check out:
Digibete- resources for families & teens
Breakthrough T1D Discovery Days
Diabetes UK Children & Families Events
Check your NHS perscription list. Make sure you’re getting everything you need- test strips, ketone meters, needles, etc. Ask your pharmacy for extras if you’re travelling.
Month 6: The New Normal (Mostly)
Emotional Survival
You’ve got a rhythm now. Sort of. You’ll still have hard days, but you’ll also have days where diabetes is just…part of the routine.
Reflect on how far you’ve come. From diagnosis to now, you’ve tackled a million tiny things. It’s huge.
Logistical Survival
Update your kit. Throw out expired hypo gels, restock your supplies and maybe treat yourself to a new diabetes bag that doesn’t smell of jelly babies.
Prep for the next stage. Growth spurts? School trips? Puberty? It’s coming, but you’ve built the tools, the team and the confidence to handle it.
Final Thoughts: You’re Still Standing
The first six months feel like a bootcamp you didn’t sign up for. You’ll cry, laugh, carb-count in your sleep and get blood on your duvet- but you’ll also become a walking miracle of logistics and love.
You’re not alone. Ever. Not in your midnight worries, not in your moments of triumph and not when you’re hiding in the loo eating biscuits.
You’re doing it, and you’re doing brilliantly.