MASK The Magazine Summer 2015

I love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read “Love You Forever” to my sons and still, to this day, the thought of it brings tears to my eyes. What moves me through this story are the moments I can’t believe I’ve been able to experience with my children. Time. It’s such a funny thing. When you’re in the moment, it feels like forever. But as you look back, those moments feel like mere glimpses, flashes of memories that flick faster as your children grow. As I sit here writing this, I have images of holding my babies, remembering their first words (which, for two out of my three kids, was “Mama”…LOL). Between my tears,…

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. TINA GREGGO // Photographer Tina Greggo has always been passionate about photography. Having photographed for local newspapers in New York and Arizona, where she became a staff photographer for The Arizona Republic, she keeps close to her true talent. Tina says she was thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with MASK on important subjects that, as a mom, are so close to her heart. STACY BARRY // Writer Stacy…

A balanced diet includes Mother Nature’s finest products: fruits and vegetables. Fresh produce contains vitamins, minerals and nutrients vital to sustain health and maintenance of the body—especially for children. In fact, through its interactive website ChooseMyPlate.gov, the United States Department of Agriculture recommends a daily allowance of fruits and vegetables for children of all ages. Young children should eat a cup of fruit and vegetables a day, with older kids consuming two to three cups a day. But before fruits and vegetables can be eaten, they should be properly washed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six people in the U.S. get food poisoning each year. That’s roughly 48 million people. A study on foodborne illness in the U.S. found that around half of food poison…

Studies suggest that due to “summer brain drain” kids can lose two to three months of skills learned during the school year. Math computation abilities are particularly at risk. The good news is the same research shows keeping kids mentally engaged and challenged over break can help prevent summer learning loss. On-Track Tutoring & Academy, a private school and at-home tutoring service based in Scottsdale, offers some tips for keeping your child’s math skills sharp over the summer. Incorporating math practice into daily activities can be easier and more fun than you may think. 1 PRACTICE WHILE OUT AND ABOUT. At an amusement park, have your child calculate wait times for rides with long lines, or ask older kids to explain how a roller coaster is like a sine wave. Go-karting? Work out…

BULLY Bullying occurs in all aspects of our daily lives, and group chat texting is no exception. To help your child understand and recognize this kind of bullying, sit down with him or her and brainstorm ideas on how to avoid it and how to help if one of their friends is being bullied through group texting. Teach that friendship isn’t an excuse to say negative things and retaliation isn’t a better alternative to exiting the group chat. DRUG With more free time and less supervision, studies show more teens begin experimenting with drugs and alcohol in June and July than any other time of the year. Be the first one to talk to your child about drugs. Role play situations involving drugs and peer pressure in order to teach your child how…