MASK The Magazine Spring 2020

We live in a world today that is all about the moment, the picture, and the need to feel accepted. I guess this has always been the trend for youth, but over the years the gap between self-worth and social norm has stretched beyond belief. The new social norm for youth is disturbing. You read the stories and hear the challenges voiced by other parents. The struggle is real for all of us – the countless technology issues, the vaping, the nudes, the need for teens to not feel, is all just too much at times. Parenting is not for wimps. It is tough, exhausting, challenging – and you can’t turn a blind eye. Staying up-to-date on trends, setting boundaries and staying connected is a 24/7 job for us today. “Kids today are…

BACK ISSUES OF THE MAGAZINE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE Parenting Solutions for Today’s Families Do you want to be well-equipped with the appropriate knowledge, resources and tools that will empower you to make healthy and informed decisions for your family? If so, subscribe to MASK The Magazine today! For only $24 a year, you’ll receive four issues of the award-winning MASK The Magazine delivered conveniently to your door. Or, for only $12 a year, download MASK The Magazine to your iPad or iPhone. For information: visit maskmatters.org or call 480-502-5337 Download our digital edition to your iPad or iPhone. Visit zinio.com to subscribe today! SUBSCRIPTION FORM One year (4 issues, $24) Two years (8 issues, $48) Three years (12 issues, $72) Check (Payable to MASK) Credit Card (We’ll call you for the info) Bill me! PLEASE MAIL COMPLETED FORM TO: MASK 8937 E. Bell…

Today, suicide rates are at an all-time high and social media is influencing our children’s self-esteem in many ways. MASK programs teach children and their families how to handle the ever-changing landscape that our children are living in. MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization created in 2007 by a group of dedicated mothers who recognized the need to consistently educate families on rapidly-changing issues. The MASK mission is to engage and educate parents, children and the community about the issues facing youth and to empower children to make safe, healthy choices. MASK strives to help children learn invaluable life skills for how to cope with a number of issues. In today’s viral and social media world, coping skills are more necessary than ever. MASK gives students…

Breathing heals on many levels: it detoxifies, strengthens the immune system, and releases toxins. In fact, around 70 percent of our toxins, including carbon dioxide, are released from our body through our breath. The benefits of breathing deeply help the systems in the body to process this more efficiently. Rebecca Dennis, breath coach and founder of Breathing Tree, explains ways deep breathing benefits our bodies: Increases energy – Oxygen is the most essential natural resource required by our cells. We can go without food for up to 40 days and without water for 3 days, yet we can die after just a few minutes of not breathing. From a purely physical point of view, breath equals life. Improves the respiratory system – One of the benefits of breathing deeply is that it…

When your children were little, you kept them safe by covering outlets and using childproof locks. Now that your kids are teens, it’s still important to keep them safe from everyday things that could pose a danger. Here are five things to do to “teen-proof” your home: 1 Alcohol. Keep track or keep an inventory of alcoholic beverages in your refrigerator or bar area. Lock alcohol in a cabinet or use bottle locks. If your teen is having friends over, set clear rules ahead of time: no alcohol, no tobacco and no drugs, ever. Keep the party in an easily monitored area of the house and make regular, unobtrusive checks. 2 Over-the-counter and prescription medications. Only buy the medicines you need (preferably in limited amounts) and keep track of what you use.…

DRUG As the weather gets warmer and summer is on the horizon, children are more tempted to drink alcohol, smoke marijuana, or experiment with other substances. Talk to your children about peer pressure and remind them that they have the power to say no. Just because their friends are doing it, doesn’t mean they have to. BULLY Bullying happens everywhere, even in college. Though cyberbullying can be easy to overlook, it can be detrimental to someone’s safety and well-being. It’s important to remind your college-aged student that they are supported no matter how far away they might be. Encourage your college student to speak to a trusted adult about bullying, or even visit on-campus counseling services for help. TECH It’s all too common for teens to compare themselves to others on social media. While there’s…