I must admit - I've always been terrible at logging blood sugars. My mother was crap at it, too. We were that mother/daughter team, crouched over a brand-new notebook in the waiting room, feverishly writing down blood sugars from the meter memory and then honestly thinking about spilling tea on the pages to make they appear more "aged."

For me, I need to plug the meter into my computer once a month and suck out all the information. Otherwise, I'd never have a clue.

And your endo is very nice, I agree. (Tell her I said hello!) :D

I agree it is very hard to keep track on a constant basis. I always jut upset with my self because having the info and appling it to my day to day helps a ton. the one part that is hard is the person themselves is the only ones that can do it.

Off subject but - were you able to get a scholarship for Olivia for camp this summer?

how about trying making O responsible for it ... maybe just try it for a week. It might just work, it used to motivate me like crazy to think that I had to show my doctor a book of bs so i always tried to make sure i had my stuff written down. just an idea :-p

I use Outlook at home and at work, so I set reminders up in there all the time for things I need to remember. I have to vary the times though, or I'll just get used to the reminder and close it off automatically.
Another thing I've done when trying to make a new habit is write down my schedule for that part of the day on an index card and review it daily - especially when changing my morning or after-dinner routine.

Thank goodness my meter does it for me!

I was diagnosed with Type 1 2 1/2 yrs ago. I made the decision upon leaving the hospital that I would always write down everything I ate and all of my blood sugar readings. I read all I could, went to a class to learn about diet, counting carbs, etc. I have never missed recording a meal or bs reading. It's so important to stay on top of this thing. Just think of how horrible the complications are when you don't keep blood sugar under control. That should enable you to keep good records so your endo can make the correct recommendations for your child.

I tried to keep a manual log for about 2 months. After that I went to downloading my meter and now my Continuous Glucose Monitor into my computer. The keeping of a hand written log is now history. I turn in a large report to the Doc every 3 months and it's all typed with graphs showing how I'm really doing. It keeps me honest too.

Right from the beginning when I was first diagnosed, my type 1 son impressed on me the importance of keeping a daily log. I know it should be the other way around, but he was diabetic first. so, I have always done it. My log book is always on the table. Even when we have brand new place mats and nice colored napkins (a rarity) and pretty stemware on the table, my log book is still there. I think having Olivia do it is a good idea. I would make it her's only. I write everything in mine and even my son will not pick it up and look at it unless invited to do so. I even note down when I am sick or feeling bad or having a really good day. This also gives my doctor an idea of what to do with other medications as well. If Olivia is too young, maybe you could make it a Mother/Daughter thing to share. I had 5 children so each child needed something special. Every day was so busy that having a daily reminder was one way of being sure I didn't skip anyone. Maybe having the log in constant view would help you remember. Good luck. New habits are hard.

Sorry to be blunt, but . . .
this is not about you, so stop whining about You and what You have not made the effort to do. This about your daughter's health, which You are responsible for.

Remember how horrible the complications are when blood sugar is not kept under control. Your dr. can only make the correct recommendations for your child IF You keep good records. Do what You, as a Responsible Parent, should do. You are not being asked to do an overly complicated task. As Nike's slogan reads - "Just Do It"

Everyone gets absent-minded once in awhile. But it appears to me that you're selfish and neglectful and not a very good mother. When you have a child, EVERYTHING else becomes less important and the sooner you realize that the better off your daughter will be. My biggest problem is that you complain about what an inconvenience it is for YOU. Focus on OLIVIA. How is her endo supposed to make competent decisions regarding her treatment when you can't take 10 seconds to WRITE A NUMBER DOWN? It's as simple as keeping the log book with the meter. ROUTINE, ROUTINE, ROUTINE. Every diabetic supply company I know of has free logbooks for the asking. On www.bd.com you can download printable ones. Throw the excuses out and do the right thing for Olivia. If you had to walk a mile every day to the doctor's office to report her number, then that's what you should do. Do you see where this is going? The responsibility is YOURS and you've neglected it. I'm sorry if it's harsh, but you need to hear it. This isn't and never has been about YOU. You need to QUIT the pissing and moaning and stop being so uninterested in Olivia's health. Realize just how important this is. That's what good parents do. How guilty are you going to feel when Olivia has a medical catastrophe because you didn't feel like being a mother? I don't think whatever you blew the logging off for would even come close to important.

Do you go anywhere without your wallet or cellphone? I don't. But my cellphone is a treo 600, (only costs $50/ebay), and because it's part computer, I bought a program named Diabetes Pilot which I run on it. What is Diabetes Pilot? Well, it's a nifty little program that lets you log not only your glucose, but also your carbs, meds, and exercises. So everytime, I eat, take meds, take glucose reading, my phone is right there, so I can record it (don't need a pen either). BTW, they make version for all types of PDA/Phones. I love it and so does my doctor. He's so impressed with me, it's almost enough to make me blush.

Don't feel like you are alone by any means. I am almost 40 years old and was diagnosed about 2 years ago. I have trouble keeping my sugars under control anyway and not writing them down of course makes it harder. The one thing I have found out the hard way is that you can't wait until the week before your endo appointment and try to fill in the blanks. I tried that but my blood work that was done the week prior told my endo Dr. everything there was to know for the prior 3 months. It is very hard especially if you have a busy schedule and having children that is a given. If someone comes up with a great plan please fill me in...

I am not a child and my kids are grown and they dont have diabetes at least not yet. I have had it since 1999 I kept my blood sugars under tight control after my diagnosis in Jan 99. my blood sugar was 1398 when I went into the hospital. By May 1 99 I was off insulin. That lasted until 3-31-05 when I had a MRSA infection and pnuemonia in both lungs and was on the ventilator 24 days and in the hospital another 23 days. My blood sugars are relatively in control but I am suseptible to bronchitis and pnuemonia Any way I have kept a paper logbook and have used the daytimer diabetes planner and also have a pds/smartphone program on my treo which can track dr appts food intake and blood sugar readings medications. You just have to enter the data one way or another. I might suggest that you try the one touch ultrasmart its got a built in electronic logbook. I am using the accuchek compact plus. I have an one touch ultrasmart that I can use and I am thinking of switching. Also most manufacturers have web sites where yiou can keep track of all that info and then when you go to the doctor the dr can download the info of that site.

I have had diabetes for over 18 years and still have a hard time writing down what I eat, what my blood sugars are and how much I bolused (pump). I just down load my readings from my one touch ultrasmart meter and that works just fine with my endo.

I have this discussion with other parents ALL THE TIME.....its not about WRITING DOWN numbers, its about LIVING the numbers!! The only way to see if your daughter is trending high or low and adjustments need to be made is to look at it on paper (or computer screen, if that works for you). You are doing a serious disservice to your daughter's health by not studying the numbers in order to practice the tightest control possible.

I'm a brand new diagnosed type 2, within the past week. I spend a lot of time on the computer so I've created a spreadsheet so it will be convenient at some point when I'm on to record blood sugar, exercise and calorie intake. I realize it may be because it's new, but it works great so far.

I am quite sure I would do better if logbooks of reasonable (portable) size were easily available. Lifescan had a good one I used for years but they no longer provide them to the doctor and the mail in card on the book apparently is ignored, at least the last three I sent.I want a logbook that I can carry along with my meter and strips in the little case. I cannot find anything anywhere, anyone got some insights? Acess to the logbook really helps in keeping record and when one is on the move, it needs to be portable, too

Don't feel bad! I have the same problem. I am supposed to be logging my glucose several times a day, and also writing down what I'm eating and how many units of insulin to take. With everything that I have to do with my job and taking care of my 2 year old son, and actually managing to take the medicine when I'm supposed to, it seems like almost too much to ask to have to write it all down too. I know logically that it is for my own benefit, and I am working at it, but you're not alone! you have your hands full. I live in fear that my son will end up with it too, and I can't imagine how I would deal with it, so give yourself a pat on the back for taking care of Olivia the way you do, and just keep the logging as a work in progress! :)

I use the Freestyle Flash and just got the Freestyle Flash Lite. They are from Abbott Diabetes Care. The meters they have are all down loadable with the right cable. They also have the software for your computer and provide back up on their web site so you can't loose your info. The Medtronics CGM that I use is downloaded onto their server and it will accept my meter also, which makes reports very easy to make.

Wow. Some of the commenters on this post seem incredibly judgemental. I didn't see Julia complaining on this post - I saw her venting. This disease - and the responsiblity that comes along with it - is challenging - to say the least. I see her admitting that there is an issue with the logging. I see her bearing the responsibility, but talking about how hard it is. That's what this forum is about - expressing the challenges and frustrations. I've appreciated the comments that offer viable suggestions and solutions, but I'm baffled that someone who doesn't even know Julia would question her parenting skills.
Man. If logging blood sugars was a measure of what kind of parent my mother was - she wouldn't have done so well. We were much the same as Kerri and her mom - trying to play catch up in the days (or moments) before an appointment. And I know my mother felt guilty about it - I only wish she'd had a forum to express that guilt. I can assure you, though, that her failure to always log my sugars didn't make her any less amazing a parent. She took care of me, she fed me, clothed me, and ensured I had the medicine I needed. She did her best with the diabetes - but she fell short of perfect. Most of all and most importantly - she loved me. And I believe I turned out just fine - both on the diabetes front and on the person front. She let me know that we don't have to be perfect - and that a life well-lived includes some moments of falling short.

I do have to recommend sugarstats again - at least for tracking blood sugar. I use it for that, meals and exercise. It has a 24-year "problem logger" turn the corner. Since it's online, I can do it from home or work and I have virtually no excuse since it's in my favorites list... LOL.

Julia - rest assured - you're not the first mom (and I'm sure not the last) to have challenges with logging. It's a beast. And somehow - so many of us are still alive and well - despite our mother's inability to keep up with it... :D Do your best. That's all anyone can ask.

Per usual, Nicole has taken what I'm thinking and found more eloquent words for it. I agree whole-heartedly. Diabetes can be tricky, for certain. Julia is a mother who has been a brave and honest writer on this team and her mothering skills should not be called into question - parenting a child with diabetes is enough of a challenge without the added pressure of people judging.

But to be honest, I don't know what it's like to have a child with diabetes. I only know what it's like to be a child with diabetes. I know what more than 20 years with type 1 feels like, and how "life with diabetes" needs to be more than just diabetes. Like Nicole, my mother and I are just fine in all respects. I am healthy. I am doing my very best. And I appreciate the support of people who understand, and who encourage and inspire me to achieve higher goals.

A community of support and constructive criticism makes far more of a positive impact than judgmental remarks.

I wholeheartedly agree with Nicole and Kerri.

Anyone who follows Julia's blogging knows that she's a great mom who lives and breathes her child's diabetes. To call her 'neglectful' and 'selfish' because she sometimes forgets to write down numbers is absolutely ridiculous. She is clearly angry with herself and frustrated that she's having trouble remembering to log for Olivia. And it's fairly obvious to me that she knows it's important and she's looking for ways to do it better. Some here have offered great suggestions, but others have missed the point entirely.

This is a place for people with diabetes, and those who care for children and others with diabetes - like Julia - to be open and honest with their challenges. That's what makes her writing so compelling.

I too have a problem with being consistant with my logging. So I put my meter next to my computer, and a flat desk calendar underneath my keyboard. Since I'm at my computer every day, I test and write it on the calendar, and barely have to break stride to do it. There is enough room on each day's "block" to not only write down my meter readings, but to jot down brief notes about what I ate, etc. It has worked the best for me so far. :)

Julia, you're DEFINATELY not alone... and you're DEFINATELY not selfish and neglectful.... shame on peej18 and mesarty for even posting such negative comments!!! They didn't mention whether or not they've tried to raise a child with this chronic disease.... I bet not... If they did, they'd know that even without logging (which I haven't done in a couple of years), your daughter's A1C's will tell how her blood sugars have been -- without threatening anything catastrophic. I've been a parent of a diabetic son for 15 years.... DX'd at age 2 and just had his 17th birthday over the weekend. IT ISN'T EASY...Whatever works for each individual family... and it is about the whole family -- not just the d-child.... Don't beat yourself up and listen to these self-righteous idiots... Keep up the good work!!!

I was going to post a very nasty reply to some of the more vitriolic comments here, but I've calmed down (a bit) and have decided to leave it alone for now. I know I'm not neglectful and I have never once said that I don't want to be a mother. Those comments are hurtful as well as being completely and utterly wrong.

The other comments have been lovely and I thank all of you for them. I like the support I get here and I don't mind a kick in the arse when it's a constructive kick.

I have to 3rd, 4th and 5th the comments in support of Julia. I am one with type 1 diabetes not a parent of 3 children. I NEVER log at all. Thank goodness for the ability to download. NOT sure what to do now that I don't have a windows xp computer. If i don't have downloads i just kind of tell the PA where the numbers have been.

Julia,

I just wanted to lend my support too. I get slack with Riley's logging too sometimes. Unless you're perfect (and apparently some people think they are) you're not going do it right all the time.

I still sit down about once a week and log all of Riley's sugars and look for patterns, but I used to do it every day. We just started using the Freestyle Lite. I'm going to look into getting the cable so I can start downloading it. I think that will help. Maybe you can look into doing that too.

(((hug)))

My mom always told me that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, so I have nothing to say about the mean comments above.
Julia - anyone who has spent any amount of time here or at your other blog knows that you are a good mother and do whatever necessary for your kids. Keep loving your kids and the rest will find a way to work out.

Julia, if you have a recent glucose meter, you should be able to go back quite a few readings... my Accu-check Aviva is a dream. I do log everyday but I can look at recent readings & also get a 7,14 & 30 day average. While it is not a true a1c equivalent, I found it was darn close. I am not a parent, so I won't lecture you, but it is very important that you keep these logs... they are how you see trends. Please sit down once a week and go back thru the memory of the BG meter and log.