It's going to happen—and you're going to panic. As much as you'd like to keep your child's blood sugar in the allotted target range, it's just too difficult to do 100 percent of the time. So the day comes; you prick your child's finger and squeeze the drop, wait for the countdown expecting to see, say, 104 (isn't that what the meters always say on the commercials?) and instead up pops 342. What's a parent to do?

First, as difficult as it may sound, don't panic. A high blood sugar is a time to respond immediately, but it is not an immediate crisis. Even if you don't say it out loud and you panic inside, your child will most likely sense that. Try to brace yourself ahead of time for the times you see those high numbers. When it is above acceptable range, take action.

Your medical team will tell you that if your child's level goes over a certain number—most choose 260 or higher—you should always check for ketones. If your child is above that chosen range, check for ketones immediately. If you do call your medical team, the first thing they will ask is if you checked. A high blood sugar reading is no good without ketone information. Once you know that, get out your

logbook and study the day. Did your child eat something she has not eaten since diagnosis? Many children react differently to different foods (for instance, some kids go high a few hours after eating pasta or pizza). If your child has ketones, you must call your team right away. If your child does not have ketones and you feel confident that you know what caused the high and what the correction ration of insulin should be, you can make a correction and check the blood sugar again in two hours.

Highs Happen

It is important for you and your child to realize that highs happen. There is a saying in the diabetes world: There is no such thing as a bad blood sugar. That's because any blood glucose reading is information that you can use to take action. Children need to understand early that diabetes is a relentless disease; even when they do their best, it will sometimes trip them up. Calling blood sugars good or bad can lead a child to think he did something wrong, or right, with his diabetes. You may want to let friends, family, and teachers know that they should never refer to a blood glucose reading as good or bad.

Children quickly become knowledgeable about their bodies and their blood glucose. Many children can feel their highs coming on. They feel hyperactive and thirsty, and they need to urinate frequently. Don't go on these feelings alone, however. More than one child has confused the feeling of a high blood sugar with a low. Use your meter.