If your child is in a honeymoon period, don't just rest on the realization that you've got a little time to chill. Use this time to learn, explore, and try out all the things you need to understand to make life normal for your child.

Trial Runs

Houston conducts trial runs all the time for space shuttle liftoffs; now you can do it for your child and all the things he wants to do in life. A trial run of all sorts of special events, from a birthday party to a beach day, will help you figure out the basics of handling such events before you actually have to do them. In other words, here is your chance to screw up in private so you can get it right later.

Say your child is a big lacrosse player and you're dreading the start of the season. How will play affect her blood sugar? What kind of snacks should you use during the game? During this honeymoon period, gather a group of her favorite friends and players and hold a mock-game in your backyard or at a local park. Make it as long as a real game is; make sure your child plays as much as she usually will, and check her blood sugars more times than you can imagine. Play with things like watered-down energy drinks and granola bars, and see what works best. Although things will change once the honeymoon is over, the basics will stay the same.

Product Trials

The honeymoon is a great time, too, to discuss new products and therapies with your medical team. (See Chapter 6 for details on what's out there now.) Sometimes, long-acting insulin or a pump, used well, can be a great way to extend a honeymoon. At the very least, this time of less erratic blood sugars is a great time to check out some other options and give them a try (always, always under the direct supervision of your medical team).

Your team may say you are too new to diabetes to try options other than what they have initially suggested. While in the end it is best to follow their expert advice, don't be afraid to push your suggestions a bit. Go into your appointments armed with knowledge. If you understand what changing to a longer-acting insulin and more short-acting boluses means, your team is more likely to consider helping you try something new. If you head in knowing all about pumps, they'll understand that you want to try something else and are willing to learn all you need to make it happen.