Marbles In My Mouth (or Speech Terror)

It's been a long week.

And a hot one to add to that.

I think it might even have reached 1,000,000 degrees.  Or at least in seemed that way as I ended up spending most of my week running between both of my daughters' schools.  One day, I think I drove back and forth 8 times.  That is CRAZY!

And most notably, both schools started to smell like puppies.   Which is random, I know, but it did.  Something about those younger school-aged children in the spring time.  They morph into an adorable puppy smell.

Which by week-end, was not so adorable.  It just added to the heat, lack of air-conditioning and overstimulated children ready to get out of school for summer.  To add a little bit more whine, I was also tired.  Yes, dog-tired.  Those puppies wear me out!

Together, as a mom chaperone and volunteer for the kids, we went on one walking field trip, attended one awards ceremony for student council leadership (proudly, my child fundraised for something besides t1d and did it superbly!), one after school party, one last book club, one last dance lesson, and drumroll......

Youngest daughter went on and completed 'her first non-chaperoned by mom' field trip to present a giant check to the recipient of the above said fundraiser for student council.  30ish text messages later and WE BOTH SURVIVED!

Do you know how big of smile we both had at the end of the day?!  Taking care of the diabetes monster is an AMAZING FEAT for a kid!

I still can't explain the overuse of text messages except for the fact that she might have been either a.) proudly showing off on her cell phone to classmates or b.) a little nervous to be on her own while at school and on a bus ride or c.) all of the above. 

In any case, she did it !  Now we both know that 5th grade middle school will not be the challenge that we both thought it would be at the beginning of the year.  She is maturing and ready for the next adventure of life without an aide at school.

And that oldest daughter of mine?  She had her end of year 6th grade party and sent me just two text messages.  The first gave me the details of her blood glucose, her food intake and her total carbs.  Because I know that she is growing up and craving more independence, I simply responded with a short text that read, "thank you and have a great time".  To my astonishment, I received a text back that said this, "Thanks for being a great mom and letting me go.  I love you sooooo much!" 

Maturity is a funny thing.  Just as we wonder if they ever will get there, we are then scared that they got there too fast.  It is nice to know that they are and always will be, our sweet girls.

I think I will always treasure both sets of text messages.  I can't be more proud of them both! 

Rounding out the week, was our 2013 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes Family Team Rally.  As you might remember, I agreed to co-chair the walk with my dear friend and fellow mom of two with T1d. 

So far, we have had lots of fun meeting our coaches and bonding with our mentors and leaders through JDRF.  I love my JDRF family and couldn't be luckier for having made deep friendships that will last beyond a cure.  They are wonderful.

One interesting part of being a Walk Co-Chair is that I am to present a written speech from time to time.  In my past life before type 1 diabetes, (I used to work in marketing and advertising) my job required me to speak in group settings often.  At the time, I was pretty good at it too.  I like talking and I like people, so the two naturally came together. 

Sadly, it has been years, people!  Seriously years! Can I admit that most mornings, I still can't function until I had at least one cup of coffee?  I need two if I am going to pull myself together enough to be dressed by the time the last kiddo heads off to school!  It's bad.  I blame it on the midnight and 3:00 a.m. blood sugar checks.

Since I am sleep-deprived which doesn't always bode well for speaking engagements, my brain is sometimes muddled more than I care to admit.  Ever have that feeling that you sound like you have a mouthful of marbles?

So what did I do?  I received my lovely speech from JDRF and then I thought about the reason that I was doing this... I want all of us moms and dads to get back to the way we once were before sleep suddenly disappeared!  Showered, awake, young and beautiful.  OK, so a girl can dream.  Showered and awake will suffice.

No, not really.  I actually want a CURE!  Well, and maybe a little make-over too.

At the JDRF Family Team Rally, I walked up to the podium and put my heart into saying all of the things that needed to be said about our walk efforts, encouraging more fundraising and stepping us closer to that CURE.

One day, we will get there.  We really will. 

As I talked, the nerves calmed, the marbles disappeared and I even made eye-contact with a few bright eyes in the audience. 

Youngest and oldest daughter. 

Sitting proudly, hanging on to every word and nodding their heads at their mama in encouragement.

For the puppies.  This is why we do what we do. 

Blurring The Lines - Insight Into Friendships

Scanning through my 'Facebook Feed', I suddenly realize that the lines between type 1 diabetes and non-type 1 diabetes have been blurred.  No longer is there a distinction between friends that understand and those that do not. 

Maybe it was from the process of natural selection or maybe a bit of weeding occurred.  I admit that early on, a few had to be plucked.  Like the mom who voiced concern about all of the 'needles and blood in our home'.  Um, good-bye.

But then the happiest thing occurred with friends learning and embracing type 1 diabetes.

One note from a friend (without children living with type 1 diabetes) tells me that the birthday treat from her son to be brought to school is a popsicle and each is 14 carbs.

Swoon!  Such a kind, kind, kind gesture from a mom who cares.

Another feed announces a recap on the latest type 1 diabetes gadget.  A couple of others come from my own blog but have friends without type 1 diabetes adding helpful hints.

My friends have been following along and want to help, like they would with anything happening within our life.  I think diabetes has been demystified and we have shown how normal all of this is.

Two other friends that I can't imagine not knowing share a story (that has nothing to do with diabetes)about their families.  While we met through diabetes, I am friends because I truly enjoy their company.

Love this the most!  The best part of diabetes has been connecting with so many wonderful people!

And so it goes...  with almost every post/feed/friendship connected back to type 1 diabetes. 

Remarkably after seven years, everyone is on the same page.

Literally.

Diabetes Camp - How To Help Prevent HomeSickness For Kids (and Parents, too!)

 

Following along in our series on Diabetes Camp, today's post is a tutorial on how to help prevent homesickness in kids - and to be honest, this is helpful information for parents, too!

Maybe it is your first time having your son or daughter away from home or maybe you are an old-hat at the process, no matter, having a child that lives with type 1 diabetes out of your care can be an emotional endeavor.

One of the most fun ways that I have found to help both myself and my children cope with separation anxiety is creating a 'Diabetes Camp Fun Box. 

I take my worry and turn it into a positive by creating something that I know my child will love and remind them of how much mom and dad care.  On the other hand, my children know that saying good-bye for the week is temporary and they immediately start looking forward to the fun things that mom is sending up during their week-long stay. 

The box is simple.  Just a couple of inexpensive photo boxes commonly found at stores like JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, IKEA or Michael's Crafts.  I found my boxes on sale for $2.00 each at Michael's Crafts. 

 

The nice part of these photo-boxes is that they are durable enough to withstand quite a bit of wear and tear and cute enough to be used just about in any room of the house.  I also like that they fit neatly on kids bookshelves, so when camp is over, the leftover contents or any new camp related memorabilia can stay carefully tucked away inside their own bedrooms.

 

 

Notice that metal bracket?  Carefully cut out a piece of scrap paper to add your child's name to the box by inserting it into the top of the bracket.  Add a piece of clear tape over the entire label to help avoid it from slipping out.  One part of camp is that with so many kids living in a small-sized cabin, everything should be labeled to prevent loss.

 

Have one of these handy - dandy label makers?  I love this!  We use this on everything diabetes - related, especially when my kids are away from home.   Bonus is that it saves a ton of time hand-writing each child's name.  Just print a bunch of labels ahead of time and have them ready to go for when you need them.

 



 

Another fun way to personalize the top of the box is to use alphabet stickers or vinyl lettering.  Any color and any style goes.  I like to place my child's name on the top of the box along with a quirky title like 'Oldest Daughter's Totally Awesome Camp Stuff!'

 

You can also add your child's favorite stickers.  Is he into Star Wars?  Or Legos?  You could write "Austin's Cool Camp Adventure" and his favorite super heroes doing camp things.  See- I could make these for boys too!

 

 



Once you have your box, you can start to plan all of the fun things that you would like to add.  Here are some suggestions:

Postcards:  Pre-address, pre-stamp and pre-return address each card.  I always attach a sticky giving my kids direction on where to fill out their message.  The comical part of the post cards is that they always end up arriving after the kids return home.  They love seeing their own mail in the mailbox and it turns into a fun game of 'Can I get the mail?'

 

Look for inexpensive items that your kids can share with their cabin-mates.  Truthfully, not every parent sends a care package or even a letter.  The fun multiplies at camp when you can send some things that everyone in the cabin can share.  The glow in the dark bracelets (package of 12) are especially nice during the Dance night.  Tattoos are easy to share and kids love helping other kids put them on.  Sidewalk chalk is fun and easily rinses off.  The girls can even color their hair temporarily with chalk.  It's all about creativity and being kind to one another.  What a nice lesson for such a small investment.  Each of these items are only $1.00 and you can find them in the Target Dollar Spot.  

 

 

While I was at Michael's Craft store, I found several cool things in their dollar section as well.  The journal is a great way to have your child record their camp memories during quiet time.  The notecards can be shared with friends and the stickers were a mere $.44 in the clearance section.  Fun and simple.

Michael's Craft store also had a specific section on Kid's Camp supplies.  I found this pillowcase with a fabric marker for $3.50.  The pillowcase is meant for auto-graphs from friends around the camp.  What a neat keep-sake for your child to use all year long.

 

Last but not least, look around your own home for things that you might already have and can send to camp.  Extra school supplies, leftover bubbles, nail polish, small games, playing cards, a Frisbee or a jump rope, all make for fun things to do with friends while at camp.  The goal is not to spend a lot of money or try to outdo other parents, but to help you and your child feel safe and secure in knowing that he/she is having a wonderful experience while away from home.

When I am done finding little treasures for the box, I tuck in a card and add a colorful ribbon to close the box.  If you choose to use the photo boxes like the ones that I used, you can fit one box perfectly inside a USPS Large Flat Rate Box.  The boxes are free at the USPS and shipping is one flat rate with a quick delivery time.  I like to send it about three or four business days ahead of my child's arrival to ensure that it will be there while my kid is still there! 

Another idea is to drop the box off at camp check-in with a note of when you would like it delivered to your child's cabin.  Last year, we tried this method and I chose Wednesday, as it seemed to be the day where both girls might need a pick-me-up.  Make sure you still address the box to your child's name, cabin name and even counselor's name if you have it.  In that way, nothing is lost.  Our camp has over 350 kids coming during the two weeks of diabetes camp.  That's potential for a ton of confusion. 

However, it worked out perfectly and both daughters felt so special in knowing that mom (and dad) were thinking of them.  I felt great in knowing that they were in good hands too.

Other ideas to help beat the homesickness bug:

1.)  Have your child pack a favorite stuffy.  Trust me when I say that everyone brings a stuffed animal.  Even the counselors pack their most beloved and well-worn stuffed animals.

2.)  Bring a picture of mom, dad or even the family pet.  One child last year packed a picture of her big cousin because in her words, "He is so brave.  He even went to COLLEGE!".

3.)  Tuck in a special blanket.  Most campers just bring sleeping bags, but some are wise enough to know that weather changes often.  Sometimes the most comfortable sleeping is with a light blanket.  It is even better when it is a comfort object.

4.)  Pack batteries and lots of them.  Some kids are used to sleeping with a night-light.  Let your child use their flashlight under the covers.  If the batteries die out, just replace them the next night.  By the end of the week, your child probably won't need the light.  It just is nice to know that it is available.

5.)  Tuck love notes where your child will least expect them.  One mom that I know tucked notes into her child's socks.  I like to tuck a heart into each days' Ziploc bag of clean clothes.  Some parents write notes into their child's toiletry kit.  Just a sweet reminder that you and your child have a special bond.

Whatever you do, try to enjoy your child's new independence.  Give yourself a pat on the back too.  You did a great service by sending your child to camp!

As always, Kids first, diabetes second.