Tips to Make Diabetes Easier on Sitters

Educating is Key

Defining Diabetes
The first thing you'll want to do is sit down with the sitter and explain what diabetes is. No need to get too technical -- a general overview and simple explanation should be enough.

Explaining Diabetes Supplies
Take out all of the diabetes supplies that the sitter will need to be familiar with, including any oral medications, insulin treatments and blood glucose meters. Explain what all of these things are, how they're used and when they're needed.

Giving Demonstrations
Give your sitter demonstrations of those different diabetes supplies. For example, if your child uses an insulin pump, show the sitter how to change the battery, unlock the pump, suspend the pump, etc.

Review Routines!

Before discussing the specific routines to follow, tell your sitter about your child's level of independence when it comes to diabetes management. Whether he gives himself insulin shots or is capable of detecting when his own blood sugar is low, the sitter will need to know what she can reasonably expect from the child to get a better idea of her own role.

Blood glucose monitoring

• How often should it be checked?
• When should it be checked? (Before lunch? At bedtime?)

Administering Insulin

• What dosage/injection times should be used for which glucose levels? (Check out this sample instruction sheet.)
• How should insulin be stored?

Meals and Snacks

• What should your child eat (or not eat)?
• When should meal be served? Snacks?
• How much food should the child have with each meal?

Exercise Routines

• What exercise routines do you encourage?
• What should the child do before or after exercising to stay healthy and safe?
• How long should exercising last?

BABYSITTING TIP: It's a great idea to write out a daily timeline of all of the routines your child follows so your sitter always has a guide she can refer to no matter what time of day she comes over.

Write Everything Down!

In addition to discussing everything about diabetes and caring for a diabetic child, also write everything down for your sitter so she can refer back to it easily on the job.

Here's what you should provide:

• A written timeline of daily routines
• Insulin injection information based on blood glucose levels
• The signs that your child has low or high blood sugar and what to do about it. (More)
• Emergency contact info, including your cell phone number, the doctor's phone number and the location of the nearest ER
• Allergies, symptoms and treatments you child may need
• The location of the diabetes supplies and other medications
• A journal or logbook if you expect the sitter to fill out details about your child's glucose levels and diabetes management throughout the day

Tips for Sitters Caring for Diabetic Children

• Remember that different children with diabetes have different needs, so don't try to adopt a "one size fits all" approach.
• Get written permission from the parents if you will be responsible for injecting insulin.
• If the child checks his own glucose levels and handles his own insulin, thank him for doing so each time.
• Ask parents how they would like you to handle it if the child refuses to eat something.
• Remember that the child may have different rules than your other charges. For example, he may be allowed to have a snack or something to drink any time he requests it.
• Remember that if there are siblings without diabetes, they might get jealous of the extra attention the other child gets from you.
• Don't be afraid to ask too many questions.
• Tell the parents if you feel like they've given you too much responsibility.

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