This week, I talked with a mom whose T1D son recently left for college. It’s clear that mom trusts her son – and that they have a good relationship – but she’s also nervous about him being on his own.  A lovely priority for her is to make sure that he knows that she’s there for him. We discuss how important it is for her to take a step back and make room for his voice.  The operating question in this episode:  What does he want from her?   Some highlights: Thinking about growing your T1D young adult’s muscle for speaking up for what they want and need from you.Learning how to step back little by littleTalking with your child about how they might want to handle diabetes challenges – while also making room for yourself and your own anxietyNoticing when you don’t need to be involved anymore and finding a way to step backLearning to notice where your children are competent and thinking about the message that is conveyed to them.  What healthy future planning looks like, particularly tuning into our concerns and balancing their wants for independenceHow to practice the communication skills that show your support and help them to  learn to ask for what they need Mentioned in this episode: Need help getting your kid the right snacks? That's why I've created the Sweet Talk Snack Course. It's a free mini-course to give you 6 snack sized lessons on making sure you're giving your kid the right foods to keep them nourished and their blood sugar in check. Get it at https://diabetessweettalk.com