About to get deep y'all....

Today's blog post is about something deep for me. So deep, I am admitting it to the world. Be prepared world.

I AM A HELICOPTER MOM & I AM SICK OF APOLOGIZING FOR IT!

There. I said it. Now, let me explain why this is HUGE for me.

First off, I did not start out with the idea that I was going to be a helicopter parent. I really tried for the first 18 months to let my daughter explore, be independent, find her own style & flair in this crazy world & run with it. But like a bomb going off in my world, T1D reared it's ugly head & our lives were forever changed.

Izzy was diagnosed at 18 months old, still a baby. To me, that means every milestone we would've been working on, every ounce of independence we were beginning to give her... well, I lost sight of. I focused more on blood sugar & counting carbs. Goodness knows how many hours I have spent over the last 10 months dealing with T1D, instead of playing, reading, laughing... I've spent 10 months keeping my baby alive... & hovering.

My husband would probably say I had some helicopter qualities from day one (I am a tad OCD & type A so it just goes with the personality!). I would like to think that I tried very hard to be more free range. But no matter, here I am today, a helicopter Mom.

I don't let Izzy run around without me at the park. I don't let her out of my sight at the softball fields. I still spoon feed her at times because it's just easier... & she still sits in a high chair so she doesn't get into things at meal time. I still wipe down every surface with a Clorox wipe - or baby wipe if we aren't at home - because I know firsthand how hard it is for a T1D child to battle germs. I desperately ensure the proper educational tools are at Izzy's fingertips, so she can thrive & grow as a toddler. I get annoyed when my hubby doesn't watch Izzy like a hawk - which is probably more annoying to him then he will ever admit, bless his heart!

I am sick of other parents criticizing a helicopter Mom for being who they are. I would never criticize a free range Mom, heck I am envious they have - what I believe to be - that luxury. So why are we all so quick to judge one another?!

So when you see me out, don't judge me because I hover. Know that 90% of the time, I am just trying to keep her Dexcom close enough to read her blood sugar & ensure she isn't going low. I want what's best for my daughter, just like any parent out there wants for their kids, no matter their parenting techniques.

No matter what your parenting style is... never apologize for it.