Children
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C 1364-03
Diabetes in Children
NewAccording to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 352,000 Americans under the age of 20 have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Children are still growing and changing physically, emotionally, and cognitively, and their diabetes care needs to be different from care for adults. It should be adapted to their age, how they feel, and their family dynamics.
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Nearly 2.3 million children are accidentally injured every year and more than 2,500 are killed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since one of the biggest threats to children is an injury occurring at home, it is important to take preventative steps to childproof your home. While this may seem like a daunting task at first, this checklist includes basic tips, broken down by room, to help make your home safer for the whole family.
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This guide discusses how to prevent and treat head lice outbreaks in schools.
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This guide for parents explains what to do — and what not to do — when a child gets head lice.
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C 1284-03
Managing Your Stress
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the time and effort you put into raising your grandchildren? When you’re caring for children, it may seem like there are not enough hours in the day. Because you are spending so much time taking care of others, you may have less time to do things you enjoy. But it’s important to take care of yourself so that you have the energy you need to care for your grandchildren.
Here are some ideas for how to take care of yourself by managing your time wisely, using relaxation and exercise, taking time-outs to regroup, and joining a support group.
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Handling death is always a difficult process. Experiencing grief stretches your emotional resources, and organizing details such as a funeral and burial requires time and planning. For some grandparents, the death of an adult child also means that you must accept responsibility for raising grandchildren.
The stress of so many changes at once can be overwhelming for the entire family. Many adults do not know how to explain a death to children, and are unprepared to help children grieve the loss of a parent. But with sensitivity and compassion, you can help your grandchildren learn to cope with the death, better understand their own grief, and find productive ways to express their emotions.
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No grandparent likes to imagine a grandchild being mistreated. But the reality is that children who live in a chaotic home, where chronic problems like family violence or substance abuse take place, are at high risk for abuse and neglect. As you adjust to caring for your grandchildren, you might also have to help them cope with the aftermath of abuse or neglect.
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C 1284-06
Accessing Resources in Your Community
Raising grandchildren can be expensive, especially for grandparents with limited budgets. There are many resources in your community that can help make the job of raising your grandchildren easier. If you are struggling to make ends meet, check out the financial resources and services in your community. Your family may be eligible for federal, state, and local financial assistance programs to help with the costs of food, health care, child care, and other expenses.
Note: This fact sheet is NOT intended to substitute for financial advice. If any of these financial issues affect you, or you think you may be eligible for assistance, your first step is to seek advice about the specific programs. If you are unsure where to begin, contact your local Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office.
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As a grandparent raising your grandchildren, you may not have imagined being involved with the legal system. But if your grandchildren live with you for a long time, you may eventually need legal support and advice to provide the best care for them. It’s important for you to understand laws affecting grandparents raising their grandchildren. The following information is a brief introduction to the legal system as it applies to grandparents caring for their grandchildren. This fact sheet is NOT intended to substitute for actual legal advice. If any of these legal issues affect you, your first step is to seek advice from a qualified attorney.
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