Fifteen Months In: Our Family’s Type 1 Diabetes Journey

Fifteen Months In: Our Family’s Type 1 Diabetes Journey

From Parenting Like a M*ther by Lindsay Wolf-Owczarek

February 13, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

Lindsay shares her family's journey with type 1 diabetes over the past 15 months, discussing the emotional and practical challenges they face.

In this deeply personal episode, I share what the last 15 months have been like since my youngest was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. From the initial hospitalization to daily life now, this journey has been filled with grief, growth, resilience, and a constant mental load that few people truly understand. I talk openly about: The relentless mental math – carb counting, insulin dosing, and the constant calculations that run in the background of every meal, snack, outing, and school day. The invisible vigilance – checking glucose numbers overnight, sleeping in shifts, responding to alarms, and managing exhaustion while continuing to parent, work, and function. Mood and behavior changes – how high and low blood sugars directly impact emotional regulation, memory, impulse control, and attitude — and why these shifts are biological, not character flaws. The emotional toll on the whole family – from grief and fear to the resilience of siblings and the delicate balance of avoiding parentification. Social challenges – navigating stares, questions, teasing, and the growing self-awareness that comes with being a 9-year-old managing a visible medical condition. Control, guilt, and advocacy…

People in this episode

Host: Lindsay Wolf-Owczarek

Topics covered

  • type 1 diabetes
  • family health
  • parenting challenges
  • emotional resilience
  • social awareness
  • food balance

Keywords

  • type 1 diabetes
  • carb counting
  • insulin dosing
  • emotional regulation
  • parenting
  • social challenges
  • food balance

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