Pushing

Why do we do what we do? 

First and foremost, to keep our child alive and healthy.  Tying with number one, we love him. 

Second, if we don't take it seriously, how can we expect him to take it seriously? 

Although he is only 9, we already fear the day he is on his own.  Will he test his blood before every meal?  Will he give himself insulin after he eats?  Will someone notice the subtle changes in his personality that could signal trouble ahead?  Who will be there to administer the glucagon in case of an emergency?  Mainly, will I be able to convince him to go to the same college I work at for his first two years of college?

We push diabetes management because we love him.  We push him to do his homework so that he will be an educated young man.  We push him to clean his room so he becomes a responsible young man.  We push him to be nice to his sister so we don't hear them fighting so he learns compromise. 

There are no awards for successfully parenting a type 1 child, nor do we want one.  Our reward is his future:  high school graduation, college graduation, seeing him explore the world, finding a career he loves, falling in love, grandkids...

Last year Chase was assigned Abraham Lincoln to study for President's Day. He really got into his life and the impact that he made in history of the United States. We made a few expensive trips to Barnes and Noble to buy more books to read up on his life. When I came across this quote, I thought it was perfect for the young man I am striving to raise:

 

When the din of the world (and his parents) pushes him to be this or that, I hope he can stand firmly and just be himself - and be a good one.