Parenting Children with Diabetes

The phrase “Not one more…” is a saying that people tend to internalize. It tends to happen when something new is added to one’s life. Life is filled with plenty of “One more…” things.  What happens when one more, is one too much?

I will lose my mind if:

• One more, Person tells me I can’t have a piece of cake
• One more, Says to me “don’t you have diabetes?”
• I have to take, one more… pill, shot, blood test, etc.
• I’m told to go to one more… doctor appointment
  …and on, and on and on it goes!

The problem is there is always going to be “One more… Something.” With or without diabetes there will always be one more thing, because that’s life. It is natural and without one more thing happening in your life you would have nothing at all.

When it becomes too much, people tend not to do what they need to do to take care of themselves. One more, can be looked at as “Negative,” “neutral” or dare I say, “positive.”

Not one more, Tends to be negative causing frustration, anger or even sadness. Here are examples of “One more…” from the “Not,” “Neutral” and “Positive” viewpoints.

Not: If I go on one more interview without getting hired, then what is the point of going? I might as well stop going.

Or

Neutral: If I go on one more interview without getting hired then it wasn’t meant to be, and I will get the next one. After all, some don’t get to go even to an interview.

Or

Positive: I will go on one more interview because that might be the one, and this is a numbers game. If I don’t get the job, it is their loss.

If we stop thinking regarding “Not one more…” Then we allow for new things to come into our lives, and we can take better care of our diabetes and ourselves. After all, that one more medical professional or Certified Diabetes Educator might tell you about a study that he can get you to, a new advancement that makes living with diabetes easier.  The doctor may inform you of an artificial pancreas or a new type of CGM that will make manual blood tests a thing of the past. You never know what that next one more thing will be, but if you don’t find out you may just loose out on a life changing moment.

Eliot LeBow, LCSW, CDE, is a diabetes-focused psychotherapist. His private practice, located in New York City and is also available via Skype. LeBow, who has been living with type 1 diabetes since 1977, treats the many diverse cognitive, behavioral, and emotional needs of people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

For more information go to his website or Facebook Page or set up a free 30-minute phone consultation to see if talk therapy is right for you.

Medical Disclaimer:
All the advice included in this blog is therapeutic in nature and should not be considered medical advice. Before making any changes to your diabetes maintenance program, please consult with your primary physician or endocrinologist.