Table 1.

Disclosures of the participants of the parent support group, according to the most relevant emerging themes.

Disclosures of the participants of the parent support group, according to the most relevant emerging themes.	One thing is what you read in the literature and what doctors and nurses tell you. And another thing is what other parents tell you … The parents who, by themselves, calculate, weight, inject and question themselves if they are doing it the right way. And who answer their children ‘why’ and ‘how’ to go through the disease that will stay with them forever. It is much easier to share our sorrow and joy of our ‘sugarplums’ (child with T1D) growing up in a group of parents with the same stories. I would like to welcome ‘the new family member’ (the disease), so that I could face the difficulties and the struggle of living with the disease.
Transformation of the family dynamic	Diabetes is a good teacher. It forces the family into better relationships, so that the family can survive as a whole. You devote to your child more fully and in a different way. It takes a lot of discipline, determination and persistence. When you accept diabetes into your life, it can give you a lot of positive things. But I definitely don’t neglect all of distress that accompanies that. I could tell my husband what I experience about the disease and I could also hear what my husband experiences.
Me as a parent	… (The most valuable thing is) to meet other people with the same problems regarding diabetes management, and to see that you are not alone with the problems and that you can get along with the disease. Oh, yes, I would say a lot (changed in him as a parent). I am more tolerant, better educated and prepared for problems that may emerge in the future. And what I think the best outcome of the group is: despite of the reality of living with my son’s T1D and a heap of limitations and regulations because of this, the life and coping with daily things is simpler and better – less stressful and tiring. … in the situation when ‘you lose control,’ I can calm down much easier and count to 10 before I respond.
Exchange of experience and good practice	Exchange of experiences, how to respond in different everyday situations (was very important). (A great value in) … expert help of the group and qualified group leaders. I have more information about everything - upbringing and living with my son’s diabetes. One has so much faith in those words, you just absorb them. What she (the doctor) says is as if you hear this for the first time, even though you have heard this often.
Facing the world outside the family	This group means a lot to me because I feel I am accepted and understood. I miss that in my everyday life, with co-workers, friends …