I childproofed my insulin bag after catching my almost 1½ year old pretending to take insulin (with a marker). Here’s the simple $5 hack I use to keep my insulin pens secure while still making them quick and easy for me to access.

I already knew that, of course. But the other day I caught my almost 1½-year-old holding a marker against her arm like it was an insulin pen.

Even though it was just a marker, still... it was a good reminder.

They always want to copy us, and the last thing I want is them injecting themselves "like Mommy" .

So here's how I lock up my insulin pens from my kids while still making it easy for me to access insulin.

I found a few locking insulin cases online for around $20, but I realized I could make my own version for less.

I have a gazillion small zippered bags. So I grabbed one and bought this quick release keychain for about $5.

One end of the keychain stays attached to the zipper pull. The other end attaches to a fabric loop on the opposite side of the bag. Once the bag is zipped closed, I simply connect the two together.

Because the connector is attached to the zipper pull, the zipper physically can't travel down the track until the connector is unlocked and removed.

If your bag doesn't already have a fabric loop, it's an easy hand-sewing project.

Is it completely child-proof?

Probably not 100%.

But it adds one more barrier between curious little hands and insulin pens, and that gives me a lot more peace of mind.

And I love that it doesn't make dosing any harder for me. I can still get to my insulin in seconds, but now my kids can't simply unzip the bag if they happen to find it.

Sometimes the best diabetes hacks aren't about lowering your A1C.

That's why I love children's books about Type 1 diabetes. Whether they're specifically about a Mommy living with T1D (like Mommy Beeps) or explaining Type 1 diabetes in general, they give little minds a way to understand what's going on instead of just wondering.

If you're raising little ones, check out my list of The Best T1D Children's Books.