Why Some Families Say âBah Humbugâ (and How You Can Help Make It Easier)
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Ah, Christmas. The lights are twinkling, the carolers are singing, and the holiday tables are groaning under the weight of rich foods and endless desserts. But for families managing Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), the season isnât just about decking the hallsâitâs about dodging unexpected glucose spikes, fielding unsolicited advice, and somehow balancing all of this with the joy of the holidays.Â
For some, Christmas can feel a bit Bah Humbugâoverwhelming. But it doesnât have to! There are ways you, dear friends, family members, and party hosts, can help make the season a little easier for T1Ds and their parents and siblings.Â
Letâs explore the chaos of Christmas through their eyes and sprinkle in some tips to spread understanding and support.Â
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1. The Feasting Frenzy: Help with Carb Counting
Picture this: A plate piled high with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and a mountain of carbs. But here's the catchâno carb labels in sight. And then there are the homemade desserts, where the carb count is anyoneâs guess.
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How You Can Help:
- If you're hosting, offer detailed info about the carb content for each dish. It helps T1Ds estimate insulin doses so they donât have to play detective at the table.
- Have weighing scales on hand so food items can be weighed to work out the carb count, if needed.Â
- Skip the âdiabeticâ treatsâT1Ds can eat anything! They just need the carb count to adjust their insulin properly.
- Offer sugar-free drink options with labels so they can check for themselves.Â
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2. The Unsolicited Advice Parade: Choose Support Over Solutions
 T1Ds have heard it all:
- âDid you know cinnamon is a cure for diabetes?â
- âMaybe you just need to go keto, it worked for my friend.â
- âType 1, Type 2âsame thing, right?â (Spoiler: No.)
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How You Can Help:
- Swap advice for curiosity. Instead of offering fixes, ask questions: âWhatâs it like managing T1D during the holidays?â or âHow can I help make things easier?â
- Respect their expertise. They live this every day and know what works for them better than anyone else.
- Support their decisions. Whether itâs a dessert swap or indulging in seconds, trust that they know what they are doing.
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3. Donât Exclude
Kids and adults with T1D donât want to feel like theyâre sitting on the sidelines of the holiday fun. But sugary treats and carb-heavy traditions can make it more complicatedâespecially for those newly diagnosed.
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How You Can Help:
- Donât buy "diabetic" chocolate and treats, as T1Ds can have all the same foods as non-T1Ds; they just need to know the carb content to give insulin.
- Give parents a heads-up and the carb information before handing out snacks or treats. This gives them time to prepare, adjust insulin doses, or offer an alternative if they want to.
- Encourage other activities that arenât just focused on food. Decorating the tree, crafting ornaments, or watching a holiday movie can keep the festive spirit alive.
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4. Christmas Eve: Be a CGM Alarm Ally
While most families drift off dreaming of Santa, T1D parents are often doing night time blood sugar checks. Itâs less about magic and more about maths, ensuring their child is safe to enjoy Christmas morning.
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How You Can Help:
- If youâre hosting overnight guests, be mindful of the extra work T1D parents might be doing while youâre asleep. Offering a quiet space or being understanding if theyâre a little groggy in the morning goes a long way.
- Support siblings who might feel a bit overlooked. Christmas is a great time to remind them how special they are, too.
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5. The Gift Dilemma: Thoughtful Ideas for T1D Families
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Ideas for parents:
- A spa day or self-care giftâmanaging T1D can be exhausting!
- A gift card to a favorite restaurant and an offer to babysit with the promise of learning how to take care of a child with T1D.Â
- A heartfelt card letting them know you admire their strength and love
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Ideas Kids:
- The most important advice here is give a T1D child the same as any other child! Don't make them feel any different to their siblings or cousins. If everyone else is getting chocolate and sweets, they get it too!Â
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6. Laugh Through the Chaos
The holiday season for T1D families is a delicate dance of insulin, carbs, and Christmas cheer, but humor is their secret weapon.
The insulin pump beeping during a carol? Theyâll joke itâs playing âJingle Bells.â
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How You Can Help:
- Be part of the laughter. Donât treat T1D like a somber topic that canât be joked about. If theyâre laughing, laugh with them!
- Offer an understanding shoulder if the humor turns to frustration. Sometimes the best support is just being there.
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Spreading Christmas Cheer to T1D Families
At the heart of it all, families managing T1D arenât asking for you to know everything. They just want understanding, a little help navigating the chaos, and the chance to make Christmas special for everyoneâincluding themselves.
This year, letâs embrace the spirit of inclusion, support, and, yes, laughter. Whether itâs listening instead of advising, or simply recognizing their efforts, small acts of kindness can light up their holiday.
Because Christmas, after all, is about love. đ
Merry Christmas, and may your days be merry, bright, and well-balanced (blood sugar included)!Â
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