The first days at home are a whirlwind. Friends all want to stop by; everyone wants to help out. You just want to figure out how you're going to keep your child not just healthy but alive. Parents or caregivers have different reactions at the start. Some feel empowered and happy to have figured out what was wrong with their child. For them, the first days are often a relief, and tougher times may follow. Others, more commonly, are frightened, worried, and overwhelmed with the life adjustments they are about to make and the added responsibility they now have.

In either case, it's a good idea to ask friends to give you and your child some breathing space. The key to raising a child with diabetes successfully is finding a new normal, a new way to add all this to his life in a way that feels somewhat like any other life. That's no small task. Telling friends you appreciate their compassion but you need some space is a wise choice at this point. If they must help, ask them to take one of your other children for a play date, or go out and find a good diabetes book for you. You'll need this time to settle in and adjust to your new role as parent and medical caretaker.

You may also want to ask a relative or close friend to screen calls and e-mail for you for the first week. Explaining yourself repeatedly can be exhausting. You'll need all your strength to get things in place at home, and a message from a family member or friend to concerned folks will be enough for now.