The 3 Things Parents Should Focus on While Raising a Type 1 Diabetic

Raising a child with Type 1 diabetes is not something any parent expects. One day, your child is eating snacks without counting carbs, running onto the soccer field without testing blood sugar, and sleeping without alarms — and the next, everything changes. Suddenly, you’re calculating insulin, scanning CGMs, monitoring overnight lows, watching for stress spikes, and trying to figure out how to keep their childhood intact while managing a medical condition that never sleeps.

Type 1 is relentless. But so is your child — and so are you.

Through our family’s own journey with Type 1, school, traveling, playing sports, and writing North of Normal with my son (Type 1 diabetic) I’ve learned something powerful:

Type 1 doesn't define your child — it reveals their best parts…with your help.

Below are the three most important things parents should focus on when raising a T1D kid — not just to keep them safe, but to help them grow strong, confident, and resilient in their own North of Normal journey.

1. Prioritize Emotional Stability 

It’s normal to focus on numbers first — blood sugar, carbs, insulin ratios.

But here’s the truth:

Numbers don’t determine your child’s future. Their mindset does. The health of their mindset fuels how well they manage their Type 1.

Kids with Type 1 deal with emotions everyday surrounding their Type 1 that most adults don’t understand: frustration, fear, embarrassment, anger, burnout, exhaustion, and the belief that life has suddenly become “unfair.”

If these emotions aren’t addressed early, they can harden into resentment: 

“Why me?” 

“This isn’t fair.” 

“I hate this.”

“I hate my body.” 

“I can’t do what other kids do.”

“I could die from this!”

That resentment doesn’t disappear as they age — it grows. Even though their stresses are true, their constant focus on them can erode their confidence and happiness. And it can influence everything: their self-esteem, diabetes management, friendships, motivation, inability to manage stress , and even their future independence.

This is where the North of Normal philosophy matters.

North of Normal is built around this truth:

What makes you different can also make you stronger.

Wyatt learned this young. He was diagnosed at age 11 and that came with a 4 day stay in ICU. At first, Type 1 felt like a prison he was trapped in. But slowly, he learned (and our family learned) to see what diabetes gave him: health awareness, discipline, mental toughness, leadership, and a mission to help others.

It shaped him — not by limiting him, but by pushing him to grow.

Your child can experience the same transformation. This doesn’t mean they won’t still “feel” these frustrating moments; it just means they won’t stay stuck in them...and neither will you.

How to teach emotional stability the North of Normal way:

• Acknowledge their feelings because they are real, but don’t let them get stuck there.

• Teach them to pivot emotionally — from anger to acceptance, from fear to confidence.

• Celebrate resilience, not perfect numbers.

• Reinforce that diabetes isn’t their fault, but their response is their superpower.

• Share stories of thriving Type 1s — athletes, artists, leaders, innovators. In our book, we share several stories that could also help them know that they’re not alone.

Never forget this won't happen fast because this is a process of tiny wins. Your goal isn’t to eliminate the emotional challenges — it’s to help your child learn how to rise through them. Parents and kids should use the everyday challenges & ups and downs to learn how to improve not as a report card. Don't ignore them, just don't judge them.

When they learn not to resent their T1D, they grow into kids who truly thrive.

2. Build Independence Early — One Small Step at a Time

Independence is something every T1D kid needs, but parents often fear. I know this because I feared it. And it makes sense — independence means letting go of control in a condition where control often means safety.

But here’s what you must remember:

Independence isn’t about you pulling away — it’s about preparing your Type 1.

It starts small: reading CGM arrows, helping count carbs, recognizing lows, learning how insulin affects them, communicating needs to teachers and coaches.

And it grows: managing sports practices, handling school days, checking sugars at sleepovers, taking ownership of prep for travel, understanding dosing changes during growth, stress and even sports.

Independence builds confidence. Confidence builds competence. And competence builds a future where your child (and you) doesn’t fear adulthood with Type 1 — they’re ready for it.

How to build independence without overwhelming them:

• Co-pilot before they fly solo. Let them help make decisions WITH you instead of YOU always doing it for them.

• Teach problem-solving, not just steps. “If you’re dropping before practice, here’s what to do.”

• Role-play real situations. “What would you say to a coach?” “How would you handle a low at a sleepover?”

• Praise effort, not outcomes. The goal is learning — not perfection. You are a teacher not a drill sargent.

• Listen and watch your child because each kid is different and can handle independence at different times. Don't push too much, too soon. But also, don't let them avoid making progress....tiny progress is to be celebrated.

• Be patient with them because they want to please you and show you they are doing things "right". You need to let them know in your words and actions that this is a process and your proud of their progress not their perfection.

Independence is a North of Normal milestone. It teaches kids that they’re capable of navigating challenges — not in spite of Type 1, but because of what Type 1 has made them capable of.

3. Focus on the Whole Child — Not Just the Diagnosis

Your child is more than a condition. More than numbers. More than alarms. More than glucose curves.

They are a whole human being with dreams, talents, interests, personality, humor, and potential far beyond Type 1 diabetes. They also have fears, doubts and challenges.

When parents focus on a “Type-1-first”, kids often internalize that that's all they are — and suddenly they define themselves by what makes them different rather than what makes them exceptional.

Prioritizing the whole child means:

a) Encouraging them to do the things they love, not the things that feel “safe.”

Sports, art, music, science, robotics, hiking, acting — let them explore widely.

b) Letting them be normal kids.

Sleepovers, Birthday parties, Camp, Travel, Team Sports... All possible with preparation — and incredibly important for confidence. We have a whole chapter on "preparedness" in our book North of Normal to help you accomplish this.

c) Giving them food freedom

Let food be normal, not stressful. Teach strategy, not restriction.

d) Helping them build a life they feel excited about and showing them purpose beyond Type 1

Because a child who loves their life is more likely to manage their diabetes better. Give them many opportunities to feel excited about their life, in spite of having Type 1. They have to see the HOPE. You have to also show that you have HOPE as well. When you show confidence in their future and in their ability to live a full life, they will do the same. If your family practices Faith use that also to guide them through their Type 1 journey and help them see there's a bigger purpose to their life. This was important in our own journey.

This is the soul of living North of Normal:

Seeing your difference not as a limitation, but as the thing that builds your resilience.

Final Thought: With Your Help…Type 1 Isn’t Weakening Them—It’s Building Them.

Yes, Type 1 diabetes is scary and complicated, and it’s hard not to think about how fragile our kids are with Type 1. But it can also shape your child into someone resilient, fierce, capable, aware, strong, responsible, and wise beyond their years...if they get the support and guidance necessary–from you.

When you focus on:

1. Emotional resilience

2. Building independence

3. Supporting the whole child

…you’re not just raising a T1D kid. You’re raising a resilient, confident human who can thrive in a North of Normal life.

And that is a gift.

We go into more detail on all this in our book North of Normal—a 400-page, full-color guidebook that helps Type 1 families confidently navigate school, sports, everyday life, and beyond. In the book, there are also “Parent Perspectives” to help guide you on your Type 1 journey. Learn more about our book here.

Bonus:

The North of Normal Mindset Cheat Sheet for Parents of T1D Kids

(Use this as a fridge note, bedtime reminder, or daily grounding guide.)

THE NORTH OF NORMAL PARENT MINDSET

✔ My child’s emotions matter more than their numbers. 

I help them process, not suppress. This goes for my emotions also.

✔ We take responsibility, not blame. 

Mistakes are learning, not failure. 

✔ Resentment steals joy — resilience restores it. 

I teach my child to pivot toward strength. 

✔ Type 1 is part of their story, not their identity. 

They are a whole, complete person.

✔ Independence is built in small steps. 

We celebrate effort, courage, and growth.

✔ I raise a self-advocate, not a silent sufferer. 

They learn to speak up with confidence.

✔ Everything is possible with preparation. 

Sports, sleepovers, travel, adventure — we say yes more than no.

✔ We look for what Type 1 gives, not just what it takes. 

Strength, discipline, awareness, grit, empathy, direction.

✔ We choose gratitude, not fear. 

Because fear shrinks life. Gratitude expands it.

✔ We live North of Normal — unapologetically. 

What makes us different makes us extraordinary.

Get more insights like this from our book or work with us one on one to help you overcome something specific with your situation. Learn more about working with us here.