Call it old-fashioned, but when it comes to support, the best thing is to meet with other parents who walk your walk and talk your talk. Most parents can think back to their first meeting with other parents of kids with diabetes and remember every moment and every emotion. It's a very meaningful experience, bonding with your new diabetes friends. Finding them and then finding a way to keep in touch with them will make your life and your child's life with diabetes easier to handle.

Hospital Support Groups

Some hospitals that have pediatric endocrinology departments host regular family or parent support groups. Ask your medical team if the hospital offers one, or if they know of one at a hospital or center not terribly far away. While you may not like having to travel, you will find it is well worth it. Don't hold it against your provider if they do not host a support group; many endocrine centers are understaffed and overbooked. If they are giving you good care and can point you to another place for support, stay with them and take the support where you can get it. You should also feel comfortable suggesting that your medical team hold some kind of support meeting; offer to keep it going on your own if the group seems to gel.

If you find a hospital support group that includes children, find out if you will be with your child at all times, or if you'll be breaking off into adult groups and children's groups. The best support groups give parents and caregivers a time to talk and vent well beyond little ears. Parents need a time to discuss topics, fears, and issues that shouldn't concern children at that time. If your group does include children for the entire time, expect a more upbeat, general program that kids can handle. You'll have to look for the answers to adult questions elsewhere.

Organizational Support Groups

You can find support through diabetes organizations as well. Many chapters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation hold support groups or, as some chapters call them, Parent Coffees on a monthly basis. These support groups are, for the most part, well organized and have a good history. Many Joslin Diabetes Centers host support groups as well. Go to www.joslin.org to find out if there is one near you. If you have the time and inclination, Children with Diabetes hosts an annual diabetes conference called “Friends for Life.” Held in Orlando each July, the event is like a parents and kids diabetes summit. More information on it is available at www.childrenwithdiabetes.com. This organization also holds regional diabetes education sessions as well; information on these sessions is also available on their Web site.