Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2021 i MASK The Magazine

All parents hear at some time or another “time flies when you have kids” and “before you know it they will be gone.” When you’re in the thick of it, you’re doing everything you can—sometimes just to get through the day or the moment. You run from pickup line to sidelines, fitting in everything that each day holds. Your memories consist of the first days of kindergarten, wiping runny noses, and mending the heartbreaks of best friend squabbles and relationships that part ways. I have been one of those moms who was part of everything I could be. Even when my oldest son started racing bikes at 13, I said I wanted to buy one so I could race, too. The look on his face was priceless. “Mom, I love…

Vitamin D is necessary for every person to be truly healthy. Unfortunately, there are some common misconceptions about how to get the right amount. Most people believe they can get the necessary amount of Vitamin D just from the sun. However, that’s not true for everyone. According to the National Institutes of Health, people who are older or with darker skin tones are less likely to transform sunlight into Vitamin D. For people who can transform sunlight into Vitamin D, it can be difficult to get the necessary amount. That’s because sunscreen with an SFP higher than 9 blocks UV rays from penetrating the skin. The simple solution may seem like going outside without applying sunscreen, but this can be extremely damaging to your skin and can even cause skin…

Kids today are learning things from the Internet that we would have never imagined even 10 years ago. But while some of what they’re learning is beneficial, other information they’re getting can be extremely dangerous. Currently making the rounds on the Internet and social media are “magic” mushrooms, wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a natural-occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Also known as shrooms, golden tops, mushies or liberty caps, they pose a number of dangers, including ingesting poisons that can be fatal. Magic mushrooms can be eaten raw, but because of their unappetizing taste, they’re often mixed in with foods, cooked into soups or stews, or brewed into drinks like coffee and tea. They can also be crushed and put in a capsule to swallow, or sprinkled over…

1 LUCKY 13. Idaho is the 13th largest state in the union, covering 83,557 square miles. The state’s birthday is July 3, 1890. 2 NATURAL WONDER. In Soda Springs you can find the largest captive geyser in the world—it erupts every hour on the hour, reaching heights of 100 feet. 3 HISTORY AND HERITAGE. Idaho City was once the largest town in the Pacific Northwest – it developed around gold mining in the 1860s. 4 QUIRKY TIDBIT. The Wild Huckleberry is the state fruit, and can be found on menus throughout the region. 5 POP CULTURE. Sun Valley Resort was America’s first destination ski resort (as well as where the first chairlifts were installed). Source: VisitIdaho.org…

From the moment newborns are placed in our arms, we love them unconditionally. As they grow, we support them as they learn to sit, crawl and walk; we guide them as they make friends; we teach them how to write their names; and provide comfort after every bump and bruise. Our list is full of ways to nurture, support, teach and provide for our children. But, although it may feel uncomfortable to some, we also need to provide opportunities for learning that come from making mistakes. In fact, letting children learn from their mistakes helps build resilience and is essential to raising a confident, capable, happy and successful adult. When children are given the opportunity to struggle and sometimes fail, you allow them to develop important social and emotional skills.…

As parents, it’s our job to teach and give children the opportunities to learn and then practice how to be independent before they go off into the world on their own. When thinking about how to teach independent living skills, breaking them down and identifying what exactly needs to be taught can be difficult at times—there’s so much to teach them and so little time. “Life skills curriculums emphasize teaching skills in such a way that they build on each other and they become a part of the typical routine,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Identifying the right skills to introduce at the right ages is also important so that your child can feel successful at learning new things and you both can enjoy the…

Teenagers in this age range go through major changes when you compare them from age 14 to age 18. They are going to learn how to drive and eventually be able to register to vote, showing the kinds of major decisions they will need to learn to make by the time they graduate high school. Skills to emphasize during this stage really come down to time management, including learning how to create a work-life balance, preparing to be independent and potentially moving out, and spending time focusing on managing their social lives. When focusing on work-life balance, help them understand the importance of setting boundaries and managing their responsibilities when it comes to working, schoolwork, extracurricular activities and relationships. As you start to prepare them for independent living and moving…

To help college-bound students make the transition from high school to college go much smoother—and give parents advice and support, as well—we asked Erin Trujillo, Director of Counseling Services at Arizona State University, to provide some insight and advice. Here’s what she shared. Q Your high school student is now a college student and will soon be leaving home. What can parents do to prepare them for their new-found independence? When your new high school graduate enters college, it is a really big moment for a family. Everyone feels the impact of that change: the incoming college student, parents and siblings, and particularly the younger siblings. I believe it’s important for parents to ground themselves in the bigger picture of it all, so they have new direction in the smaller…

If you’re looking for a fun activity to bring your family closer together, consider making a family time capsule. By creating one, you’ll not only spend quality time with your family, but you’ll also learn valuable information depending on what your family members put into it. The best part is that the rules for the time capsule can be made up by the whole family so everyone has a say. Plus, you can take the time and decorate your time capsule with your family and make it unique! ▸ When creating a family time capsule, consider such things as how long you’ll want to wait until you open it, as well as how often you would want to add to it. For example, if you choose to wait 10 years…

You once made a promise to your teen that you’ll let them go on a road trip with their friends and now the time has come. If you’re feeling unsure and uneasy about it, you’re not alone. The freedom of the open road strikes dread in most parents’ hearts. It’s totally natural for you to feel terrified by the thought of letting your teen hit the road. While you want your teen to enjoy a taste of independence, how can you be sure they’ll be safe? Julee Morrison, creator of the blog Mommy’s Memorandum, offers these tips: ▸ DON’T LET FEAR BE A FACTOR If this is your teen’s first road trip without you, know that they may be a little apprehensive, too. To help ease both your fears, start…

When you’re up all night nursing a baby or rushing in the morning to get your little ones into their shoes, time can seem to stretch infinitely. And yet, in what feels like the blink of an eye, our children are in kindergarten, then middle school, high school, and off to college. As parents and caregivers, we want to make sure our kids eat right and do their homework—but what about all those other life skills, the ones they need to survive in the wide, wide world? We have just 18 summers with our children before they are legal adults. How do we ensure that our babies grow into the kind of adults that can handle all of the curve balls life throws their way? Of all the skills we…

As they get older, children in this age range become more inquisitive and more responsible for themselves. Two important skills to emphasize during this stage of cognitive growth include money management, as their numerical skills grow, and reading social cues, as social interaction becomes more sophisticated. In terms of money management, focus on concepts of saving, spending and understanding the concept of how much things cost in order to learn how to budget as they get older. Setting up chores, allowances, bank accounts and teaching them how to account for their money are skills you start to focus on as they grow. Beginning with simple things like giving your child a piggy bank to save their money, or creating a chore chart filled with allowance-based tasks is a good place…

SUNDAY 1|LAND OF NOD WATCH THEM SLEEP It may seem weird at first, but it doesn’t matter how old your child is: Being able to see them peacefully asleep is a gift. Taking in these precious moments not only allows you to revel in the rare moments of calm, but also to take in each little thing as they grow at lightning speed. MONDAY 2|ONE ON ONE MAKE THE MOST OF TRIPS AND SPECIAL DATES Making sure to schedule special alone time with your kids. Big or small, these moments turn into stories that last a lifetime. Whether it’s a family vacation or a coffee date, make sure to take in these times with your kids. As they continue to grow, each new favorite beach or coffee shop can bring…

Parents get approximately 936 weeks to raise a child from birth until the age of 18. We get 18 summers with our children to make memorable moments, and teach our sons and daughters what they need to know. Unfortunately, we can easily get caught up living for what fills our daily calendar and our never-ending to-do lists. So much so that we often plow through those 936 weeks and 18 summers rarely giving a thought to what we want out of this precious season of raising children. While not every day, week, month or year needs to be significant, we want to make sure that we take the time to raise our children with intention We are in a very bittersweet season in our family as our firstborn triplet sons…

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 helps children learn invaluable life skills for how to cope with a number of issues including responding to peer pressure, dealing with trauma and technology-related challenges. In today’s viral and social media world, coping skills are more necessary than ever. MASK equips students to feel confident regulating their emotions, maintaining frustration tolerance and setting healthy boundaries. MASK has served the community, for over a decade, with the goal of strengthening…

DRUG Try to get your kids or teens to get a summer job, volunteer with a local organization, join a summer sport, or go to summer camp to occupy their time. The more time they spend working or doing activities, the less time they will have to try drugs or even think about them. BULLY Make sure to role play bullying situations that may be uncommon to your child. For example, teach them how to respond to a bully if no teacher or adult is around. It can also be helpful to teach them what to do if they are being bullied in a public place with spectators, but nobody is helping. TECH When planning a family vacation for the summer, also plan guidelines or rules for screen time during…

Coeur d’Alene (pronounced core-da-lane) sits on the shores of the magnificent 30-mile Lake Coeur d’Alene, offering abundant recreational opportunities right in the heart of a vibrant, beautiful downtown. Defined by blue skies, sparkling water and forested mountains, visitors to the Coeur d’Alene region find a place of intriguing contrasts: five-star amenities in a rugged setting, quiet getaways, exciting attractions, and four-season beauty and recreation. Activities such as lake cruises, teeing up at a championship golf course, or shopping for antiques and art show why Coeur d’Alene is known as the playground of the Pacific Northwest. ★ COEUR d’ALENE LAKE Coeur d’Alene Lake is the second largest lake in northern Idaho, caught in a beautiful mountain setting created when great lobes of the continental ice cap receded during the last Ice…

Hi, there. I’m Christina Ivanhoe, owner of Golden-Heart Wellness. I’m also mom to a 13-year-old daughter and wife to a super, busy man that runs a few car dealerships. Just wanted to let you know who I am as you’re reading this as I always feel it’s important to paint the picture for my audience. It creates a connection between you and me. See, we are all made the same. We just have different backgrounds and different gifts. My whole life has revolved around nutrition and the wellness of others. I have continued my education in specific areas, so I am well versed in helping as many as I can. With that being said, I’m also a mom and a wife striving for better health and definitely balance in my…

Q: I’ve noticed that every summer, my friend’s family takes them to a bunch of places like amusement parks, the zoo and the beach. But my family doesn’t get to do that kind of stuff ver y often. Every time we come back from summer break, my friend has great stories to tell and I never do. I feel like I’m wasting my summer breaks and I don’t want people to think I am lame. What should I do? — Lucy, 6th grade, Portland, Maine A: It’s hard to believe that you don’t have any fun summer stories! It seems like you may be downplaying your fun activities because they aren’t as extravagant as what your friend is doing. Instead of trying to compare your summer break to your friend’s,…

Keeping in mind that we are always building on skills that our children have already developed, it’s important to continue the conversations about money management, time management, and social skills as they get older. When planning the life skills to focus on at this age, it becomes important to assess what they know and to start filling in the gaps. Are they able to complete household chores like laundry, basic cooking and cleaning? Are they able to start learning how to wash a car, complete basic technological and/or electrical tasks, use a camera, do simple sewing repairs or baby sit? Can they manage their schedules on their own, meet deadlines at school, and understand how to use a planner? Do they know how to keep track their money in terms…

One of the biggest adjustments for new college students is a newfound freedom that includes an increase in personal responsibility and a decrease in external structure. There are no set study times, no required mealtimes, and no one to tell them when to sleep or get up. There’s also an increase in their academic workload, a greater need to multi-task and balance, and a myriad new social opportunities and challenges. Here are some essential skills that will help your college-aged child develop their own internal structure and be successful in college. ▶ MANAGING YOUR TIME Prepare a weekly schedule that includes time in class, studying, activities, work, meals, study and time with friends. Being a college student is like having a full-time job. Several hours of studying and preparation are…

While cooking for your family can be time-consuming, there are ways to ensure both a delicious meal and quality family time. If you’re looking to make the most of the summer spent with the kids, here are a few cooking styles and techniques that will help pave the way for more time and memories with the ones you love. ▶ WATCH IT RISE Many people consider pizza for dinner a “cop-out” meal, something you resort to when time is short or that new recipe doesn’t turn out quite right. But for others, it’s a deliberate dinner choice where, instead of delivery, everyone cooks up their own recipe for delicious family fun. Traditionally, pizza begins with a crust, which can be as easy as split English muffins or as ambitious as…