October brings shorter days, falling leaves, and World Mental Health Day – a gentle reminder to pause and look after ourselves. In this episode of The Diabetic Mammy, we shine a light on the invisible emotional load that parents carry when raising a child with type 1 diabetes.

Behind the carb counting, blood sugar checks, and school snack boxes lies a hidden mental spreadsheet that never switches off. We talk about the sleepless nights, the constant vigilance, and the silent background noise that often goes unseen by others.

This conversation explores:

• The invisible labour of type 1 diabetes parenting – the worries, the mental checklists, and the hidden work that few recognise.
• Burnout and guilt – why feeling drained doesn’t mean you’re failing, and why guilt often comes from deep love, not neglect.
• Permission slips for parents – gentle reminders that you’re allowed to rest, to ask for help, and to find joy in the middle of diabetes care.
• Small steps for mental health – practical, everyday ways to breathe, reset, and protect your own wellbeing.

This World Mental Health Day, let this be your reminder: you cannot pour from an empty cup. Caring for yourself is not selfish – it’s essential. You are doing enough, and you deserve rest, joy, and support just as much as anyone else.

Tune in, take a deep breath, and know that you are not alone on this journey.

The Diabetic Mammy is the heartfelt, no-nonsense podcast where type 1 diabetes meets motherhood, community, and a whole lot of real talk. Hosted by Catherine, a mammy navigating the highs and lows of type 1 diabetes, each episode blends personal insight with practical wisdom, offering support for parents, carers, and anyone living with or loving someone with diabetes. From tech transitions and hospital diagnoses to school lunches and stolen sleep, this podcast embraces the messy, meaningful moments that make up life with chronic illness. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or a seasoned warrior, The Diabetic Mammy is your space to feel seen, supported, and never alone.

Connect with Catherine by email on [email protected] or reach her on Instagram: abundantlydiabetes

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