Virtual Workshops for Parents of Kids and Teens with Type 1 Diabetes
Specifically Tailored to the Unique Needs of Families living with T1D
Are you struggling with any of the following?
Feeling unsure of how to best guide and support your child as they adjust to life with T1D in the midst of being a “normal” kid
Finding backpacks and bedside table drawers full of empty candy bar wrappers that you're pretty sure weren't covered by insulin
Walking on egg shells because your kiddo blows up on you when you ask about blood sugars (or for some other reason which may or may not have nothing to do with T1D)
Figuring out when and how to get your child or teen to take on important diabetes-related tasks, including when to step in and when step back
Participants will gain the insight and skills to:
Offer support & empower your child to take ownership of T1D at a pace that works for them and for you
Resolve conflict without nagging, hurting, alienating or feeling guilty
Implement strategies to promote cooperation and make the completion of T1D tasks smoother and less stressful
Handle dishonesty around skipping BG checks &/or taking insulin
Cope & help your child cope with “Diabetes Burnout” and the Hi’s and Lo’s of life with T1D
What Parents Are Saying
“It was helpful to have the group dialogue, especially in a T1D setting since it can seem there aren’t many choices when it comes to managing all that goes with T1D. Cassady’s personal experience was the most helpful. She
was open and honest, never condemning but also firm in what works and what could work better.”
“My communication and overall interaction with my child has improved significantly and I would directly associate that with the lessons learned in this class.”
“I would enthusiastically recommend this workshop. Aside from knowing that Cassady truly understands the struggles that my daughter is facing, the sessions gave me something to try immediately.”
“I appreciated most the opportunity to hear Cassady articulate what our son is feeling and thinking when we went through many hypothetical real-life scenarios. She offers such invaluable insight into the T1D mindset having been a T1D teen herself. This information and learning from her experiences is so unique and priceless.”
2024 REGISTRATION CLOSED
The Details:
This is a series of 6 two-hour classes. Please note that this is a closed course with classes taking place weekly for 6 weeks, and you must attend all 6 classes or discuss any absence with instructor.
Both the Parents of Kids with T1D as well as the Parents of Teens with T1D will be held online via Zoom. No driving or non-pajama wear required.
It is highly recommended that partners or other key people involved in poking, stabbing or any other kind of T1D caretaking of your child attend as well
To enquire about financial assistance, please contact cassady@cassadykintner.com.
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workshop for Parents of Teens with T1D
ages > 13
CLOSED
WHEN: Six consecutive Tuesdays running from January 23 through February 27 from 6:30-8:30pm
WHAT IS INCLUDED: 6 two-hour coaching sessions with an intimate group consisting of other parents of kids with T1D + workbook, workbook supplement, reading materials, and a rare and wonderful place to bring up any and all questions and topics T1D and teen.
In addition to those above, here’s a few (among others) that we’ll cover:
Trouble with teens knowing what they need to do but not doing it (or maybe they do the thing for a few days but then they stop/"forget")
Navigating food issues
That weird swing between feeling bad that your teen has to deal with this garbage condition and then getting super annoyed and angry with them for not doing the things they know they need to do.
How to handle conversations around driving, drinking and other adulty things
COST: $298 per participant (about $25 per hour). To enquire about financial assistance, please contact cassady@cassadykintner.com.
Workshop for Parents of Kids with T1D
ages < 13
CLOSED
WHEN: Six consecutive Thursdays running from January 25 through February 29 from 6:30-8:30pm
WHAT IS INCLUDED: 6 two-hour coaching sessions with an intimate group consisting of other parents of kids with T1D + workbook, workbook supplement, reading materials, and a unique, judgement-free space where no one will ask you if you’ve tried cinnamon as a way to cure your child’s diabetes.
COST: The cost is $298 per participant (about $25 per hour). To enquire about scholarships, email cassady@cassadykintner.com.
To receive updates about upcoming Parents of Kids and Teens with T1D workshops, please fill out the form below or email cassady@cassadykintner.com.
FAQs
Why do the workshop? There’s a lot of intense stuff that gets added to the whole parenting thing when diabetes is thrown into the mix, and not much offered in terms of structured support with a trained Medical Family Therapist who happens to have had T1D herself for 25+ years ;) And, because in addition to the crazy love you have for your child, you also need concrete skills to help you navigate the tough issues kids and teens face that are either directly related to or further complicated by having diabetes on board.
Also, as a person with diabetes, there's this feeling of excitement I get when I see pump tubing or that continuous glucose monitor (CGM) lump on someone's shoulder. I don't even necessarily need to talk to them--there's just this "me too!" moment where I know that they just "get it". Parenting a child with diabetes can feel frustrating, isolating, and downright scary. Doing this workshop is a great way to know you're not alone (seriously, you're not the only one who has forgotten the Lantus shot or doubled up on insulin for a meal when your partner thought it was their turn too), that you have support, and that there is a place where people "get it".
Your course seems pretty expensive, and I already spend so much $$ on diabetes. I value what you’re offering, but I just can’t afford it!
Consider how much you’ve already spent in time, money and frustration on
Emergency room costs and hospital visits for episodes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (or DKA), with an average out of pocket hit of $7,142, going up as high as $11,916
Trying to help your child or teen avoid diabetes burnout only to see it wreak havoc on their mental health (depression, anxiety, isolation) as well as your relationship
Getting them to see how serious and important diabetes is (with short-lived or nonexistent success)
Trying to get them to understand that you are trying to do what is best for them AND that you don‘t want to make their life miserable; you just want to keep them healthy!
And, how much is it costing you in daily life enjoyment (and hair dye to cover the gray) to be worrying about
When the next hospitalization is going to happen
Whether your child or teen takes diabetes seriously and will pay attention to diabetes (check blood sugars, take insulin, count carbs) when they move out (or even leave your sight)
If their burnout will lead to diabetes complications and long term damage will because you didn’t do enough
Worrying when those erratic blood sugars will finally catch up with them
Whether you’re doing too much or not enough to help them be a successful, responsible adult with diabetes
How to give them the freedom they want but the safety you both need to live happy, healthy life
If you’ve crunched the numbers, you know the cost of not resolving this, or not having a strategy in place. So my final question for you, what’s the cost of not taking the course? Do the math :)
But my kid is doing great! This workshop is a great preventative tool so you feel less reactive because you have a system in place when the push back of adolescence kicks in. Undoing harmful events and patterns is much harder than creating and maintaining healthy, productive ones.
Also, this course is chalked full of skills to add to your toolbox, and let's face it--when it comes to diabetes, it never hurts to have too many resources. One of the trickiest things about diabetes is that it is always changing, whether it's day to day blood sugars or taking over the diabetes reigns (and maybe dropping them and handing them back, and then taking them over again but while you also hold one) so that your teen can become more independent. These roads can be bumpy and scary, and it helps to have a strong foundation of tried-and-true strategies along with good communication so you are ready in case something should happen. You go to the dentist to for check-ups and preventative cleanings so that you can treat issues before they require an emergency root canal!
What will a session look like? The workshop cohort is capped at 8 people. Whether you are a single parent/caregiver or you do the workshop with your partner, your cohort will serve as a safe community of supportive people who will not ask you if your child's diabetes has been "cured" yet or scrunch up their face and leave them room when you talk about injecting insulin.
What if I have questions? Call 206-858-0247 or email cassady@cassadykintner.com.