Diabetic student not wanting to drink water

Specialties School

Published

How do you get these kids to drink water? I have talked and explained to him he needs to drink water. It's important and it helps his sugar stay down. But he won't listen, and sometimes rolls his eyes at me. I have talked to his mother, but he doesn't want to listen either.

Any advice would be grateful.

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I get my son to drink more with the use of a little Mio (or the equivalent) Not a school nurse, but mom of two T1s. Very difficult at times.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

How about something like a demo of how his readings are better when he drinks more fluid?

He'd keep a record of his intake with a record of his readings. HOPEFULLY, with increased volume his readings will drop.

Maybe that kind of VISUAL positive reinforcement will bolster his compliance. Make it kind of like a game - kids like games.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Women's Health,School Nursing.

This is extremely difficult because kids don't really get it, they do not understand the long term dangers (part of adolescence is they live in the present) its difficult for them to understand that every time their blood sugar stays high they're affecting their major organs, they just can't grasp that concept yet. One of my diabetics who is in 5th grade will 'sneak' candy or a snack during the day and won't tell me so then when we check his blood sugar and its over 400 he will lie until I get it out of him or another student says they saw him eating...and I keep telling him he CAN have this stuff on occasion but he has to tell me when he has it so we can adjust his insulin... he still doesn't get it and would rather risk the high blood sugar than tell anyone. How often does this student come down to your office during the day? For example I see my diabetic students on average 3 times a day. So I encourage them to grab a drink while they are here. If you have a mini fridge maybe keep some prefilled water bottles of his in there so that they stay cold? (I know I personally can only drink ice cold water) Then every time he comes in to test his blood sugar etc have him drink a certain amount.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health, TB.

Is there a support group in your area for kids with T1D?

My son belonged one in college, and I volunteered at a camp for "sweeties" and it really helps them to know there are others.

Or maybe there is an older T1D kid who could talk to him or even mentor, someone who understands the struggles.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just spitballing here, but if you suspect part of the issue is having a water bottle on his desk when others don't is dissuading him from drinking, maybe the answer is to get ALL the kids to have water bottles on their desks.

In the warmer months, my kids' school sends home notes requesting the students bring refillable water bottles to keep on their desks. The kids are allowed to have water in closed containers on their desks throughout the rest of the year as well. I got my sons Star Wars containers, and I'm assuming other kids brought in other "cool" bottles.

Do you think it might help for the teacher to encourage all students to stay hydrated by brining in refillable containers?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I see him at average 3 times a day, one of them for lunch time. I was thinking maybe coming up with a reward system, if he does what I ask and ask his teachers to keep an eye on his intake, then I can get him a prize. I was also thinking of something else:

I noticed he likes competition, and I have insulin resistance, which prompts me to check my BG too (It's usually normal). I was doing this for a while, as a trial run and it seems to work.

So what I did is we check our BG together (If I can or not busy) and if his is lower or matches mine, he gets a point. He was normal for a lot of the time during this trial run, and I would reward him with candy cane (Sugar free!). I'm thinking of doing this again, but this time give small prizes.

What do you guys think?

As well write on this bottles to him to drink 1/4 each class period and refill.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School nursing.
Just spitballing here, but if you suspect part of the issue is having a water bottle on his desk when others don't is dissuading him from drinking, maybe the answer is to get ALL the kids to have water bottles on their desks.

In the warmer months, my kids' school sends home notes requesting the students bring refillable water bottles to keep on their desks. The kids are allowed to have water in closed containers on their desks throughout the rest of the year as well. I got my sons Star Wars containers, and I'm assuming other kids brought in other "cool" bottles.

Do you think it might help for the teacher to encourage all students to stay hydrated by brining in refillable containers?

This. We allow all students to carry refillable water bottles and I encourage this. I also encourage this with my diabetic students. It is good for everyone and if it becomes a norm for everyone, then it is easier for everyone :).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment