There is a list full of things to do when you are about to embark on travel that will take you through security. You can find them all over the internet and I’m not going to rehash all of it again today.
I have read where parents have had nightmare experiences with their children and their children have been traumatized by the entire experience of merely going through security.
Here is something we did for years and years ago; and it actually goes way beyond just those with diabetes. Perhaps it is the actor in me (see my bio) but there is one simple thing we did with our kids that you can do also that may alleviate much of the anxiety.
Role play.
Don’t make it or call it a game (it is not), but take a tool that your child does not recognize which resembles a wand, and have them stand with their arms out and ‘wand’ them with whatever odd-looking item you own.
“Pat them down” and look through their diabetes supplies like the TSA would do. Start this a few weeks prior to your trip and maybe even now and again make a beeping sound and check their pockets.
If your children are used to something—-they are used to something. Do not make your actual vacation be the first time they see how security works. Kids are afraid of the unknown; make the process as normal and as ‘known’ as possible and it will cut down on everyone’s anxiety. Perhaps not all anxiety–but much. It is the world we live in now, show them.
I’m a Diabetesdad.