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Previous: Pregnancy Experts' Advice to Parents of Teenagers with Diabetes

• Be supportive, not authoritative. Acknowledge that your teenager didn’t choose to have diabetes, but point out that millions of people deal with it successfully every day -- and so can he/she.

• Encourage your child’s gradual and progressive involvement in self-care, guided by his/her maturity, skills, readiness and interests.

• Encourage and support - don't lecture or nag.

• Be sensitive to your teenager's needs - both as a teenager and as a person with diabetes.

• Communicate openly and honestly.

• Be consistent yet flexible.

• Be patient and calm. Don't let your own feelings of frustration spill out onto your child. Join a support group or get professional help if you're having trouble coping.

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