Long Distance Grandchildren

Having grandchildren living far away can be very difficult. There are negatives and positives to this situation. Two emotional and spiritual ingredients of a vital connection between grandparent and grandchild are:

1. Time alone in a one-on-one situation, and undivided attention between the grandparents and grandchildren is difficult to achieve when grandparents and grandchildren live a long distance from one another.

2. Day to day contact. To make the bond flourish, grandparents and grandchildren need to be part of one another's daily life, especially in the child's early years. Living far apart, grandparent and grandchild don't come to know one another because there is little one-on-one contact, and little time for loving attention.

On the positive side, devise a plan to be together with your grandchildren as much as possible. When mom and dad go away on vacation, this will be time well spent for the grandparents to come and spend time with their grandchildren to bond. Set monies aside for those special moments like birthdays and holidays to travel to be with your grands.

Last but not least, exchange pictures. Children change quite often, request pictures of your grandchildren. Watch them grow as their parents' see them grow. Also set aside special times to make phone calls, to hear your grandchild's voice and they hear and get to know yours.

The ABC's of Type 2 Diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes, you’re at higher risk for heart disease and other complications. But there are steps you can take to reduce your risk—and understanding them is as easy as A-B-C. To help maintain your type 2 diabetes eat plenty fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods. Exercise most days of the week for at least 30 minutes. Most importantly take any medicines as prescribed by your doctor.

A – Keep your A1C levels less than 7%

• Your A1C level (your average blood sugar level for the past 2–3 months) should be less than 7%.
• You should have an A1C test every 3 to 6 months.

• You should continue to self-test your blood sugar levels regularly, such as before meals, 1–2 hours after meals, and at bedtime.

B – Keep blood pressure levels less than 130/80 mm Hg

By taking control of your blood pressure, you’ll help prevent putting too much strain on your heart, blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys. If you have type 2 diabetes, keeping your blood pressure less than 130/80 mm Hg can help:

• Stop your blood from pushing too hard against the vessel walls throughout your body.
• Keep your heart from working too hard.
• Reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke.

C – Keep cholesterol and blood fats (triglycerides) under control

Take control of the amount of blood fats (called triglycerides) and cholesterol in your blood to prevent clogging your arteries, which can lead to heart disease. You should be aware of three things with cholesterol and blood fats:

1. HDL cholesterol is often called “good cholesterol.”
2. LDL cholesterol is often called “bad cholesterol.”
3. Triglycerides are also known as blood fats