Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2022 i MASK The Magazine

Join team MASK, on March 5th, for a virtual event to raise funds/awareness on social issues facing youth. Take an hour to move for a cause or in honor of someone who has been bullied, suffers from mental health issues or has been affected by substance abuse. Hit a hiking trail, walk in your neighborhood, play a sport, dance, do yoga in the park, whatever you choose. Just MOVE!!! Make it a friends and family activity. Register at www.maskmatters.org for $20/per family. With your support MASK will raise funds to prepare and equip today’s youth to overcome challenges and thrive. Share your photos with us and tag MASKMATTERS to spread awareness! Paws 4 A CAUSE Share your photos @maskmatters…

I have experienced my share of trauma. At times it has felt like too much for too long and way too soon in between. When we look back on our lives as adults, we can pinpoint the moments that changed, scarred or defined us. Perhaps we take pride in the strength those moments instilled in us, or maybe we stuff those memories so far down into the back of our minds and hearts that we hardly remember them at all. Either way, the body keeps the score. As a parent, instinctually, especially in times of trauma, we put everyone else first. As a mom, I know that I give my family one hundred percent of myself. And while I know that I show up for the people I love, no…

Just as our foods contain unique nutrients that address our body’s varied needs, different movements nourish our bodies differently. Some movements are good for our whole body because they move the heart and lungs and some “feed” specific parts of our bodies. Our shoulders, knees, skeleton, and even our eyes need certain movements to maintain optimal health. Just as parents need to make sure their kids are getting enough healthy calories each day, so do they need to ensure that they’re getting “movement minutes” in every day. Take stock of how your kids are using their bodies, are their arms being nourished with movement? Legs? Are they loading their bones, or do they choose less weight-bearing activities like bike-riding or swimming? Are they challenging their balance? There aren’t any good…

As parents, we are innately wired to protect our children from pain and hardship. One of the most difficult experiences a parent can have is learning that their child has been traumatized. What’s already done might be out of our control, but we have so much impact on the way our children do—or don’t—heal from trauma, and this is what we need to focus on. While understandable, dwelling on the what-ifs and ways you could have prevented an event is not helpful to our children. If we show them that we believe in their ability to overcome, they will also believe in themselves. TRAUMA HAS TWO DEFINITIONS: 1 A deeply distressing or disturbing experience 2 A physical injury When a child receives a physical trauma, we immediately take them to…

Q: I just moved to a new sch ool because I had trouble with a bully at my old school. I thought things would be better, but I am having a tough time concentrating in class, and I don’t feel motivated to do my schoolwork. I tried talking to my mom about it, but she thought I was lazy. This school should be my fresh start, but I can’t figure out why I’m not happy like everyone says I should be. Do you have any advice? - Aubrey, 8th grade, Corona, California A: Hey there, Aubrey! While a fresh start at a new school is a wonderful opportunity, it sounds like you may have some unresolved issues regarding your past with bullies. Talk to your mom about your feelings and…

Divorce is traumatizing. Almost every aspect of your life, which you’ve worked so hard to build, changes in a short amount of time. It can feel shocking and overwhelming, even if you’re the one filing and even if it’s been a long time coming. But it doesn’t have to be destructive to you or your family. The important thing is to have realistic expectations and a clear idea of what you want your future to be. Each divorce and separation is different, with different circumstances and personalities, but they all involve change. Everything is affected, from relationships—with your life partner, children, friends—to long-term financial planning to daily routines. It can be even more complex in cases of infidelity, substance abuse, physical or emotional abuse, substantial debt, or even concerns over…

MASK E3 INSTITUTE 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…

Sitting down for a meal can be difficult with busy school and work schedules. When you finally wrangle everyone around the table are they fully present or does everyone eat quickly? Stare at their phones? Exit to their rooms without interacting? Family mealtimes have been shown to have many benefits for children, including better nutrition, greater self-esteem, better academic performance, fewer symptoms of depression, better language and social skills, and a lower likelihood for high-risk behaviors. Of course, those benefits are limited if everyone is just gorging themselves while staring at their phones. Consider incorporating a mindfulness practice at mealtimes to create a more meaningful family experience. Before you eat, explain some simple instructions on meal mindfulness. Slow down. Breathe. Chew. No distractions: remove phones, music, television and technology. Being…

You’re driving in the car with your kids when you hear your phone buzz. Do you pick it up to see who texted? If so, you’re not alone. A 2017 study conducted by Liberty Mutual and the nonprofit organization Student Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) found that 55% of parents admitted to using apps while driving. Another 62% reported checking for calls or talking on the phone while driving, in many instances, despite the protests of their children While findings about phone use were among the most alarming in the Liberty Mutual/SADD study, plenty of parents also admitted to other worrisome behaviors: 45% to speeding, 34% to driving drowsy or tired, and 25% to driving aggressively. “We need to remember that kids are always observing our actions, realize the risks of…

Rule No. 1 as a parent is to keep your kids safe. But sometimes we can’t. Sometimes experiences hurt them, emotionally or physically, no matter how many safeguards we’ve built. The truth is, most of us will experience some level of trauma in our lives. Of course, what constitutes traumatic changes from person to person. Some experiences, like the death of a parent, sexual assault, a car accident, or natural disaster, are referred to as acute traumatic events, or “Big-T” traumas. “Big-T traumas have a very high probability of causing intense distress in just about anyone who goes through them,” says Caroline B. Adelman, Ph.D., founder of Chicago Psychotherapy PLLC. And then there are the more common traumatic stressors, sometimes referred to as the “little-t” traumas. Accumulative experiences that can…

Regulating emotions is something that can be challenging for kids. Things that might seem inconsequential for adults, like not being able to wear a favorite shirt or needing to take a bath, can sometimes throw kids into a state of extreme distress and big emotions. Kids can become dysregulated for all sorts of reasons. A child might be more sensitive because they slept poorly or they’re feeling hungry. Sometimes, there isn’t any particular reason and the dysregulation is just part of a child’s growing pains. By recognizing the early signs of dysregulation and overwhelm, you can step in to help teach your children to self-regulate and manage big emotions. One of the biggest signs of dysregulation is when a child has a disproportionate reaction to something or reacts more strongly…

As parents, we all hope to safeguard our children from traumatic events. We may not be able to shield them from pain for the entirety of their life, but we can prepare them to face potentially traumatizing events with resilience. Understanding what constitutes trauma is a good first step for both children and parents. Trauma is a neurological and biological reaction to an extremely stressful event. These events can include childhood maltreatment or bullying, physical or sexual abuse or neglect, witnessing domestic violence, poverty, racism or witnessing parental substance use. “These types of chronic or extremely stressful events can overwhelm a child’s capacity to cope, which is when an event becomes traumatic,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Resiliency lies in early, strong, healthy, supportive relationships…

Perhaps no parental milestone is more mixed in emotion than dropping a child off at college for the first time. There is pride, of course. Excitement for all the wonderful experiences they have in store. Fear of all the unknowns that you can’t be there to help them navigate. And sadness that the remarkable person you raised will be calling another place home…at least for the school year. And while they may show you their bravest face as you hug them goodbye, college-aged teens often feel the same mix of emotions as their parents. According to the CIRP College Freshman Survey, 66 percent of first-year students report feeling lonely or homesick while at school. And while homesickness is a very normal part of the transition to college, helping your child…

Food glorious food. As the body’s primary source of nourishment and energy, it is necessary for our survival, yet many of us have a complicated relationship with the things we eat. A complicated relationship we all hope not to pass down to our children. Diet culture, misguided ideas about good and bad foods and our personal histories with eating and body image often mean we inadvertently pass down unhealthy food-related habits and language to our kids. However, this actually takes some effort, unintentional as it may be, because babies are born knowing how to eat intuitively — only when they’re hungry and only until they’re not. Their body tells them when they need sustenance and when they’re full, and they listen. When we start doling out snacks when kids are…

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: Fear your child is becoming a bully? Pay closer attention to what is happening at home. A child who gets bullied by siblings or other family members at home may compensate for their feelings of powerlessness by mimicking bullying behavior at school. Teach children that bullying isn’t an acceptable practice at home or school. DRUG: Don’t jump straight to punishment if you suspect your child may be experimenting with drugs or alcohol. Instead, ask questions to understand why they are partaking in this destructive behavior and help them work through possible solutions. Substance misuse is often linked to self-esteem issues, peer pressure or other emotional issues. TECH: Screen time doesn’t need to equate to alone time. Take an active role in your child’s online life, whether it’s gaming, content…

Lovingly known as one of America’s weirdest cities, Portland, Oregon, offers activities for every personality. Whether it’s taking time to (literally) smell the roses or cruising the Willamette River, this is one unique city. And since parts of the Oregon Coast, Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge are within an hour or two away, visitors can also get a taste of the Oregon landscape without a long haul. ▶ CRUSIN’ DOWNTOWN A good starting point to appreciate this vibrant city is on a sightseeing cruise. Departing from downtown Portland, sunset dinner cruises remain one of the most popular options. Portland Spirit Cruises & Events offers a relaxed atmosphere, where guests dine on cuisine prepared with local ingredients while listening to live music. The finale includes spectacular views of Portland’s skyline…

Very few among us will reach the age of 18 without having experienced a significant loss. Grief can affect every part of life; it brings endless unanticipated and often overlooked consequences. Yet it is one of the most common experiences we share. Understanding the intricacies of the grieving experience and identifying the ways grief shapes us are essential steps in a journey toward healing. When a child or young adolescent experiences grief, they do so without adults’ understanding or seasoned coping skills. They look to their parents or other trusted adults to help them understand, identify and process their feelings. If their caretaker is unable to be present and share thoughts and feelings, the child is also unlikely to. Depending on a child’s age at the time of a loss,…

Signs of traumatic stress responses in a preschooler may come in the form of regression. If they are toilet trained, they may start to have accidents again. Independent children may become more clingy and engage in school refusal. The key at this age is to see what changes exist, if they are long-term and if they do not respond to being comforted. At this stage, resiliency lies in the child’s attachment relationship with a parent or caregiving figure. Secure attachment is defined as a parent consistently responding to a child’s needs and distress with care, calm and comfort. A child with a secure bond will seek and respond positively to offers of comfort when distressed. Secure attachment is the core of resilient children and one of the critical factors in…

To help ease the transition from life at home to living on campus, we asked Amy Golden, Ed.D., Assistant Dean of Students at Arizona State University’s Tempe Campus, to share ways young adults can prepare for independent living and cope with feelings of homesickness. Here’s what she shared. Q Leaving home for the first time is exciting but can also be hard on young people. What can parents do before kids leave for school to help ease their transition to campus life? With the transition to college, family dynamics are bound to change. For a helpful visual, think about your relationship with your student. More than likely, you have been in the driver’s seat in making decisions about their life to this point. Preparing your student to leave for college…

ALOO MATAR GAJAR Aloo Matar Gajar is a very simple vegan and gluten-free recipe from India. Made with potatoes, green peas, carrots, and a few other basic ingredients, this is a perfect dish to enjoy your spring harvest. • 2 cups chopped carrot• 1 cup chopped potato• 1 cup green peas, frozen• 1 medium-sized red onion, finely chopped• 1 medium-sized tomato, finely chopped• 1-inch piece ginger, grated• 3 garlic cloves, grated• 2 green chili peppers, finely chopped- adjust to taste• ¼ cup finely chopped coriander leaves• 1 tablespoon lime juice, adjust to taste• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds• ½ tablespoon coriander powder• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder• ½ teaspoon red chili powder, adjust to taste• ¼ teaspoon kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves)• Ground black pepper and salt, to taste• ½ tablespoon mustard…