A course for babysitters of children with IDDM.

Parents of children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) frequently deny themselves social and recreational activities because they have no competent babysitter with whom to leave the child. This pilot program was developed to train adolescents to care for children with IDDM. The program combines the American Red Cross baby-sitting course with additional training to meet the needs of children with IDDM. Although the program has not been formally evaluated, subjective response of participants has been positive. Finding a reliable baby-sitter to watch any child is a common concern of parents, but it is especially difficult if the chil has diabetes. The need for baby-sitters trained to care fo children with IDDM was frequently identified by parents o diabetic patients during their clinic visits to Boston’s Children’s Hospital. Many parents have told us they deny themselves social and recreational activities in order to keep a close eye on their diabetic children. This situation is obviously not healthy for either the children or their parents. Both need time to themselves, time to establish