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Child Diabetes: Self-Management

Your child may not understand the need to put in extra work to care for their diabetes. They might believe that they will never have complications or they may feel that problems will occur no matter what they do.

It might help to talk with your child about how frustrating it is to have diabetes. Remind them that by practicing good diabetes care today, they are helping to prevent problems in the future.

Your child may be overweight and losing weight will be an important part of the diabetes care plan. You should consult with your doctor to put together a plan including healthy eating and regular physical activity that your child can follow. Ask other family members to help with the plan. A healthy diet not only helps control your child's diabetes, but may benefit the whole family as well.

To keep diabetes under control:

• Monitor blood sugar
• Eat healthy
• Remain physically active
• Have an annual general physical
• Have an annual eye exam
• Visit the dentist twice a year
• Keep up-to-date with vaccinations
• Take care of your child's feet
• Talk to you child about the dangers of smoking
• Monitor blood pressure
• Manage stress