MASK The Magazine Spring 2018

I will never forget that moment: I picked up my daughter from school and she asked, “Where are we going?” I proceeded to tell her, “Remember, your brother has a basketball game,” to which she replied, “Can’t we ever just go home?” I just sat for a moment, shocked, and said, “You know what? Next year, we can make that choice.” Let me give you some backstory. We have a blended family of five children, with a 10- year span between the youngest and oldest. My daughter, the youngest, has endured years of being schlepped around to this event and that activity. And now, during this moment, she was beginning to have her own “to-dos” to add to this already crazy schedule. Every day, we had somewhere to go or something…

MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) is a nonprofit 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 our youth and to empower children to make safe, healthy choices. MASK fulfills its mission by engaging, educating and empowering families through the MASK E3 Institute, MASK The Magazine and our vastly informative website. The MASK E3 Institute is a comprehensive year long multi-year approach to building and strengthening life skills for children, including MASK Storytime (Pre-K), MASK Academy (kindergarten to 6th grade), MASK Prep (middle and high school), MASK Leadership (college) and Parent University. Through these platforms MASK aims to build healthy…

2018 PARENT UNIVERSITY HELD AT THE MASK OFFICE $99 A THREE CONSECUTIVE LESSONS INCLUDES A ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO MASK THE MAGAZINE $35 A SINGLE LESSON INCLUDES ONE ISSUE OF MASK THE MAGAZINE * Prescription 4 Prevention Wed., April 4 // 9:30 to 11 a.m. The gateway effect. How entry drugs can lead to abuse and how to help prevent the first step. These 1-1/2 hour lessons offer parenting solutions for today’s families. MASK tackles important topics—from drugs and alcohol, to bullying and Internet safety—and gives parents and the community the knowledge and tools to manage potential challenges. We want to help you and your family navigate through the school-age years by providing information and solutions about various issues before they may even arise. Or call MASK at 480-502-5337 to schedule your private group. MASK Parent University is held at the MASK office,…

What’s the first thing your teen does when they get home from school? Like most kids, they raid the refrigerator. But snacking on the wrong foods can add unwanted calories and make your child even hungrier when mealtime rolls around. The key is to choose healthy snacks that will fill them up and provide nourishment without adding too many calories. In addition, limiting the amount of sugar your child eats is key to overall health. Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that sugar behaves much like a drug, and over-consumption has addictive effects on the brain. Sugar contains dopamine, which can cause addiction, impairs memory and learning skills, and may contribute to depression and anxiety. It’s also a risk factor for age-related cognitive decline. When choosing snacks, be aware…

Mindfulness, the practice of cultivating a focused awareness on the present moment, should become a daily habit and a lifelong process. Here are five things mindful people do every day to stay calm, centered and focused on the present moment. 1 TAKE WALKS. Mindful people know that simply going for a walk can be an excellent way to calm the mind, gain new perspective, and facilitate greater awareness. In fact, according to some studies, walking through green spaces may actually put the brain into a meditative state. 2 CREATE. Mindfulness and creativity go hand in hand. Many great artists, thinkers and writers have said that meditation helps them access their most creative state of mind. If you want to become more mindful, try engaging in your favorite creative practice, whether it’s baking,…

DRUG Nearly three-quarters of teens say stress is what leads them to use drugs. This stress can be from school, work or family, but in any case, stress can be dealt with in a healthy manner. Talk to your child about what gives them stress and teach them alternatives to coping (like sports or hobbies) that will give them a more positive outlet. BULLY Whether it happens on the playground or on a cellphone screen, the negative effects of bullying can greatly influence how a teen feels. Speak with your child about who they are or aren’t getting along with, and brainstorm ways to cope and avoid negative interactions. Put their phone away if they receive negative comments and suggest talking to a friend, parent, or sibling for advice or to vent. TECH Stress stemming…