Innholdsfortegnelse for Winter 2021 i MASK The Magazine

MASK’s online social emotional curriculum (MASK E3 Institute) is available for students, parents, teachers and can be done at school or in the comfort of the home. MASK’s E3 Institute uses a multimodal approach to teach kindergarten through high school students effective life skills to help them cope with peer pressure, bullying and technology-related challenges. Students will be equipped to self regulate and adapt to stress and will feel empowered to make decisions from a place of knowledge and confidence. This digital curriculum is: ✔ Aligned with curriculum standards/Every Student Succeeds Act ✔ Turn-key digital format ✔ Easy to integrate into weekly schedule ✔ Quick Writes activities MASK’s E3 Institute is here to help teachers, parents and caregivers create safe, intentional environments where children can prosper, parent-child bonds can be…

As a mother of three, I spent years driving my kids around or waiting in the car for sports practices, birthday parties and school dances to end. A 2017 survey conducted by HopSkipDrive found that the hours spent shuttling kids around for most parents are equivalent to holding a part-time job. I screamed “I’m not your Uber driver!” more than once during those hectic years, and although my kids are in college now, I sometimes wonder what I could have done differently to make my driving duties less of a family flashpoint. I spoke with Kari O’Driscoll, a parenting coach and education consultant at The SELF Project, to learn how parents can remain calm in the face of endless transportation requests from teens. The author of the forthcoming book Healthy,…

In a time when everyone is accessible every second of the day, boundaries often feel like a relic of a long-gone era, when people left work at 5 p.m. and someone “following” you was considered a bad thing. And while it may go against the popular zeitgeist of limitless access to one another, modeling and teaching children about healthy boundaries is one of our most fundamental jobs as parents. It’s important to understand what boundaries are. In and of itself, the word sounds somewhat intimidating, but the truth is we’ve been teaching our children about boundaries from the moment they entered the world. Boundaries are limits. They can be physical, social and emotional, or digital and are generally personal. Even if parents establish them on behalf of their children, boundaries…

Sex trafficking of minors is a severe form of child abuse with lasting effects on the health and well-being of individuals, families and society as a whole. Yet, every day thousands of parents choose to ignore the possibility that their children could be victims, too. Sex trafficking can often be difficult to detect. Victims can hide their abuse, they can be reluctant to come forward and tell the truth, and common myths and stereotypes about what it looks like can affect a parent’s judgment. Anyone, regardless of race, age, gender, sexual preference or socioeconomic status, can be a victim of sex trafficking. PREVENTION IS THE EASIEST WAY TO STOP SEX TRAFFICKING. Thanks to the internet, kids are now more exposed than ever. Traffickers are masterful at deception, first by gaining…

Q: My friend has been talking to this guy online for a few months now. He is 26! I keep telling her that she shouldn’t talk to him because he could be dangerous, but she just tells me there is no harm in being nice. I don’t want to tell an adult and get her in trouble, but I am nervous for her. What should I do? – Janelle, Grade 8, Glendale, AZ A: Hello Janelle, it is great that you are looking out for your friend and making sure she is staying safe online! Remind her of the dangers of talking to someone on the internet who she doesn’t know. Even if you think your friend might get in trouble, by talking to a grown up you are ensuring…

SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 1|LIMIT SCREEN TIME It’s tempting to pull out your phone every time you hear it ding or feel it vibrate in your pocket, but this interrupts family time and teaches poor manners. Set rules for using digital devices that the whole family is expected to follow. For example, make dinnertime a “no-phone zone,” so you can enjoy your meal and share the day’s events without distractions. When your child is talking to you, make eye contact and resist the urge to glance over at your phone or the TV. 2|RESPECT PRIVACY When your child moves into puberty, they need more space and privacy. A closed door is a sign that the person inside is looking for time alone. Knock and wait for a…

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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…

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…

BULLYING: Avoid turning into an at-home bully. Constantly questioning your child’s decisions or telling them they could do better in school or sports might leave them thinking they aren’t good enough. Instead of criticizing shortcomings, celebrate their accomplishments and keep conversations positive. DRUG: Low self-esteem is a gateway drug. If your child hasn’t learned how to firmly set personal boundaries, they are more likely to fall victim to peer pressure. Children who don’t understand the importance of boundaries or feel uncomfortable setting them are more easily influenced to engage in risky behaviors. MASK’S MAKING THE GRADE SECTION, VISIT PAGE 48 TECH: Teach children about the importance of privacy. While sharing every small detail of our lives online has become common, disclosing personal stories publicly may be something they regret later.…

PERSONAL TOUCH Keep loved ones close to your heart with a customized name necklace. With room for 2-5 names, no one will be left out. Choose from sterling silver or gold-plated options. $59.95- $99.95. myka.com MIND YOUR MANNERS Etiquette isn’t a lost art. The double-sided Manners & Co. tablemat teaches children about proper table settings on one side, and basic table etiquette on the other. $29.99. manners.com GO-GO GADGET In an era of Zoom playdates and remote learning, children can miss out on essential social and emotional skill-building. Meant for children ages 5-10, Moxie, a personal robot, leads children through activities that promote social-emotional development and well-being. $999. embodied.com MEMORY SERVES Turn a cherished photo, wedding invitation, art project or family recipe into a beautifully detailed keepsake dish. Perfect for…

You don’t need a passport to enjoy the Northern Lights. Fairbanks, Alaska offers some of the most spectacular views of the aurora borealis in the world, along with direct flights in the lower 48 from big hubs such as Seattle, Los Angeles and Chicago. Because the city is situated under the aurora oval, Alaska.org says you have a 90% chance of catching nature’s majestic light show if you spend at least three days in your search. Fairbanks also offers a variety of ways to see the Northern Lights, from heated igloos to dogsled rides, giving you plenty of options to ensure your journey is a memorable one. BEST VIEWING TIME The viewing season in Fairbanks runs from August to April, but the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks…

The line between rule and boundary can be blurry when helping kids establish healthy digital habits. Rules regarding technology may include using their phone or computer with parental control software in place, limits on screen time, and parental access to messages and emails. Those rules will depend on the family and their preferred level of oversight. Helping kids establish healthy boundaries online means giving them the skills to navigate the online world safely, even after they leave home. Here are a few boundaries to consider talking with your tween or teen about when it comes to their online lives: ✪ RESPECT. The anonymity of the internet often leads to less than civil conversations. In fact, some people go online with the express purpose of creating drama among strangers. Just as…

Teaching children the importance of setting and enforcing personal boundaries is an important skill that will serve them for the entirety of their lives. When discussing boundary setting, start by defining boundaries and talking about this topic in a developmentally appropriate manner with your children. “I often start the conversation by defining boundaries as a set of flexible but firm rules about my body, mind, time, relationships and activities,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. Children understand the concept of rules from an early age. When we can give them specific topics to which they can apply rules themselves, the concept of boundaries becomes more concrete for a younger child. It can also help parents find more ways to discuss healthy boundaries with their older children.”…

In modern times, the Winter Solstice is no more than a date on the calendar marking the official beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. But in the ancient world, it was hugely celebrated as the rebirth of the sun, marking the time when our daylight hours become longer. The solstice celebrations of old were plentiful and varied, centered around feasts, festivals, family and friends, and often involved the giving of gifts. If this sounds a tad familiar, it’s because many current holiday and winter customs are heavily influenced by these early celebrations. Your family has, no doubt, even put its own spin on some of them, passing down or creating your own winter traditions. If not, it is never too late. Treasured traditions and rituals help tell a family’s…

As a parent who has been raising children for over 25 years now, I am sometimes amazed at the differences in the worlds my oldest and youngest children have grown up in. There’s not much I haven’t seen when it comes to kids, yet there are moments when I don’t know how to help my youngest navigate the new rules of adolescence. Somewhere along the way, the wrongs of yesterday—behaviors that only a decade ago would have been considered rude or a cause for concern—have become the norms of today. It’s not okay. Children used to find validation in their academic accomplishments, athletics and community involvement; now self-image is being measured in likes and followers. It wasn’t that long ago that parents worried that the airbrushed celebrities on magazine covers…

Most commonly used in its dried form as an ingredient in soups and sauces, bay leaves offer an impressive list of health benefits. From alleviating gas to fighting dandruff, you may just want to reconsider this unassuming spice. When consumed as a spice, tea or oil, bay leaves act as a surprising source of Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, and Zinc. And the benefits of bay leaves don’t stop at its mineral makeup. These flavorful leaves have been found to help control blood sugar and insulin sensitivity when ingested. With natural antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, many people also use them to supplement their immune system, especially during cold and flu season. Speaking of cold and flu season, bay leaf oil, when dabbed on the neck and chest, has…

Teaching children to identify the signs of abusive relationships or intimate partner violence (IPV) early is an essential strategy in preventing them from getting involved in a toxic relationship. While some signs that a relationship is toxic are easy to recognize, others are more subtle. Overt signs a relationship is abusive may include: ✪ Physical aggression ✪ Demeaning or disrespectful treatment ✪ Extreme, unwarranted jealousy ✪ Forbidding a partner from working ✪ Isolating a partner from their support system (friends, family, mentors, colleagues) ✪ Controlling behavior ✪ Threats, not only to a partner but to their friends, family or pets Subtle signs a relationship is abusive may include: ✪ Creating an unequal power dynamic ✪ Betrayal ✪ Weaponized stigmatization ✪ Withholding affection ✪ Belittling or making the other person feel…

Boundaries regarding physical space, sharing, and kindness can be taught through play for pre-K aged children. Using games and creative play to set rules, test the rules, and then engage in discussion about what the consequence could be for broken rules is a great way to focus on boundary setting with your pre-school-aged child. As parents, we should model healthy boundaries and be consistent. Your pre-school-aged child is always watching and learning, and can be very attuned to inconsistencies they see in the grown-ups around them. They are also going through a phase of discovery, be prepared for them to test limits and boundaries all the time. Be sure to use positive parenting responses to limit testing and regulate your frustration or emotional reactions to their limit testing. And when…

To help parents prepare and support their college-aged children in establishing healthy boundaries and personal settings, we asked Kimberly Frick, Associate Director, ASU’s Sexual and Relationship Violence Prevention Program, to provide insight and advice. Here’s what she shared. Q How do the personal boundaries students need to establish in their college years differ from those they had in high school? Establishing boundaries is a skill that should be introduced in early childhood and strengthened over time. Children must be taught what boundaries are and how to set them so they can advocate for their needs and support their well-being. If a toddler is taught at a young age that he has a right to say no if someone is violating his space, he is more likely to be able to…

BACON FRIED RICE Kimchi, a traditional Korean pickled napa cabbage, is so flavorful when combined with the richness of bacon. Gochugaru (Korean dried red pepper flakes) is recommended for a spicy kick, though not necessary. Recipe makes 4 servings. 2 cups old, ripe chopped kimchi (if your Kimchi is fresh, let it sit out on the counter for 3 days)4 slices of bacon, chopped4 cups cold cooked rice3 tbsp sesame oil1 tsp sugar1 tsp gochugaru (optional)4 eggsSliced scallion, sesame leaves, sesame seeds, seasoned seaweed for garnish (optional)Vegetable or Canola Oil2 frying pans (one for fried rice, other for eggs) ▶ Chop kimchi into smaller pieces using a pair of scissors. Drain the juice. Add sugar and mix. Set aside. ▶ In a frying pan over high heat, add bacon and…

On Saturday, October 9, 2021, MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) held its annual MASKer Aide Ball at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The theme for this year’s event was “unMASKed: A New Way to Speakeasy.” With elegant elements of surprise around every corner, event partner, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, helped to create a magical evening complete with a VIP lounge experience. Guests arrived in their vintage 1920s-inspired attire to a valet experience; once they discretely entered through the back of the hotel, guests were greeted by a performer requesting a “secret” password for the event. In true speakeasy fashion, guests were then ushered through the service elevator, the kitchen and eventually to a secret hall leading to the main event. A silent auction set to jazz transformed the gallery walls…