MASK The Magazine Fall 2015

Eight years. Eight years of engaging, eight years of educating, eight years of empowering families with the tools and resources they need to improve the lives of their children. As MASK reaches this momentous milestone, we invite you to celebrate with us at our annual MASKer Aide Ball, an evening filled with fun, food and entertainment. As part of the evening’s festivities, MASK will honor moms, dads and organizations that exemplify the spirit and mission of MASK. We will also be raising much-needed funds to help us continue to provide awareness programs and resources that are so important to parents, children and educators. Join us for this special evening and help us make an impact in our community for many years to come. Purchase your tickets today and become part of the…

AS a parent, the last thing you want to think about is someone hurting your child. That could mean anything from bullying, to your child’s boundaries being crossed, to the devastating stories we hear all over the news. Our goal is not to scare parents, but to shed light on the topics that can send your child down the wrong path, and to ultimately change the vicious cycles that continue from generation to generation. Knowledge is key, and when we brought our child into the world, he did not come with an owner’s manual. We do not know what the warning signs are, or exactly how to keep him running effectively and efficiently. When MASK started, our desire was to become a resource to help parents and children navigate through the issues…

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. MASK’s mission is to educate parents and children about the issues facing our youth and to empower children to make safe, healthy choices. MASK gives parents the resources that will allow an open dialogue with their children, which provides children with tools to live productive, happier lives. MASK fulfills its mission by engaging, educating and empowering parents and children through its E3 (Engage, Educate and Empower) Program and MASK The Magazine. The E3 program presents helpful insights on over 70 topics in the following categories: health and wellness, digital solutions, and relational development, offering a comprehensive approach to educating…

ANGELA AMBROSE // Writer During her 25-year writing career, Angela Ambrose has written for Fortune 500 companies and the U.S. Public Health Service, as well as a number of magazines, newspapers and websites. A mother of two, Angela enjoys writing about the important issues affecting kids today and applying what she learns at home. Angela is also a nationally certified group fitness instructor and registered yoga teacher. STACY BARRY // Writer Stacy Barry is a former public relations/marketing executive for the hospitality industry, and is currently a freelance writer in Houston, Texas. She received her degree in journalism from Texas Tech University and worked as a broadcast journalist for KAMC-TV in Lubbock, Texas. For the past 15 years she has done freelance and contract work from her home, while raising two children in the ’burbs. GREMLYN…

Remembe MASK’S NEEDTO-KNOW TIPS(PAGE 23) SO MUCH TO PLAN FOR TH IS FALL: • TRIP TO MAINE • NOMINATE A MOM • MASKER AIDE BALL CHECK OUT Making the Grade: an age-appropriate guide for parents (PAGE 70) Make Flower Child’s Olive Oil Lemon Cake...YUM! (PAGE 92) MASK E3 PROGRAMS (PAGE 40) “FROM TRAUMA TO TRIUMPH” (PAGE 86) SHARE THIS: While the risk of getting breast cancer can’t be eliminated, there are ways to reduce the chance of being diagnosed. Share these helpful tips with all the moms, sisters, daughters and girlfriends in our lives! (Page 96) FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ALLERGY SYMPTOMS RELATED TO ARTIFICIAL FOOD DYE (PAGE 90)…

Take a minute and think about everything your hands touch throughout the day. How many people touched what your hands have touched or will touch? Were their hands clean? Just thinking about all the germs you come in contact with throughout the day is enough to make you shudder. However, one of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of disease goes overlooked. When done properly, washing your hands stops the spread of infections and illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention teaches correct hand washing in five simple steps: 1 Wet your hands and apply soap. 2 Lather the soap by rubbing hands together. 3 Scrub between fingers and under fingernails for 20 seconds. 4 Rinse your hands under running water. 5 Dry hands with a clean towel. To help your child keep time while scrubbing…