Trying to manage diabetes while also addressing the usual teen-parent challenges can feel like an overwhelming task.
Parents worry about how they can help an adolescent with growing needs for independence and privacy.
It is important to understand the priorities of both teens and parents, to explore how these priorities affect diabetes management, and to develop strategies that will promote health and well-being. Teenagers as a group have concerns and priorities that influence their expectations and determine their actions. These include acceptance by others, self-confidence, competence, individualism and independence. Furthermore, teens want to feel confident. They want to know what to do, they want to be sure of themselves, and they want others to recognize their competence.