What It’s Really Like Parenting a Toddler with Type 1 Diabetes
Motherhood is messy, magical, and full of surprises. Now throw in type 1 diabetes — the kind that demands attention every hour of every day — and you’ve got yourself a different kind of motherhood story. One that’s full of blood sugar checks, insulin doses, toddler giggles, and a whole lot of resilience.
Mornings Start with Numbers, Not Coffee
While most moms wake up to baby babble or the smell of spilled milk, I wake up wondering what my blood sugar is. Before I even get out of bed, I’m already checking my levels, calculating what I can eat, and silently hoping it’ll be one of the “good” days.
Then comes breakfast — for both of us. But before I can even think about waffles or fruit, I have to do the math. How many carbs? When did I last inject? Will he sit still long enough for me to treat a low if it hits me mid-meal?
The Constant Mental Load
Parenting comes with a mental checklist — snacks packed, diaper bag ready, nap time planned. But for me, there’s an extra list running in the background:
Did I bring my insulin?
Do I have juice in case I crash?
Can I chase him at the park without going low?
There’s always a worry tucked in the back of my mind — what if I go low while we’re alone? What if I feel dizzy while he’s climbing the couch? But then there’s the opposite side of the coin: what if I’m too high? I can feel the energy surge, jittery hands, and the constant thirst that makes me cranky.
Those sugar highs are tricky. It’s hard to keep up with a toddler when you feel like you’re running on too much fuel. However, I still power through, hoping to stabilize before it affects my mood or energy levels.
Mom Guilt Hits Different
There are days I feel guilty – for needing to pause to check my blood sugar, for snapping because I’m low, or for choosing rest instead of play because I’m drained. It’s hard to explain that kind of tired-the one that comes not just from parenting, but from constant physical monitoring.
But here’s the thing: I show up. I manage my health while giving him love, comfort, and laughter. That’s not just surviving. That’s a strength.
He’s Watching, and That’s Okay
My toddler sees me do things other moms don’t — prick my finger, drink juice quickly, and inject insulin. And while I sometimes wish he didn’t have to see it, I remind myself this: I’m teaching him compassion, resilience, and how to care for yourself no matter what.
One day, he’ll understand how strong his mom is.
Celebrating the Little Wins
Some days, I get through the day without a blood sugar crisis and without a toddler tantrum. That feels like a miracle. Other days, he hugs me while I sit still and wait for a low to pass — and that hug is enough to get me through anything.
We laugh a lot. We dance in the kitchen. He tries to mimic my CGM beep with his toy phone. Somehow, even in the middle of all this, there’s joy.
To the Moms Like Me…
If you’re a mama out there living with type 1 diabetes, just know: You are seen. You’re doing something incredible — not just raising a tiny human, but managing a chronic condition at the same time. You might feel alone, but you’re not.
You’re strong. You’re capable. You are absolutely enough — insulin, exhaustion, toddler mess and all.
