Innholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2023 i MASK The Magazine

With the world rapidly opening up again, family fun in faraway places is top of mind for many people. These general regional and cultural norms and tips can save time and money and help you have a stress-free, fabulous getaway. ✪ CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA Central and South America’s proximity to the United States makes them ideal destinations for people who want to avoid long layovers or plane rides. Central and South Americans tend to be family-oriented, so you and your kiddos will be welcome virtually everywhere. Although you can get a visa on arrival in most countries, Bolivia is a different story. If the shimmering salty vistas of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni are on your list, apply for your visa at the Bolivian embassy before you leave. While technically…

Parenting a strong-willed child can be challenging. It is important to remember that their strong-willed nature is a part of who they are and should not be broken. Instead, parents should focus on establishing boundaries and rules while allowing their children to express their individuality. One way to manage the behavior of a strong-willed child is through Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). PCIT is an evidence-based approach designed to help parents learn how to effectively manage their child’s behavior without breaking their spirit. It gives parents the tools to understand why their child acts in certain ways and how best to respond. By understanding how best to manage the behavior of strong-willed children, parents can help foster an environment where their children feel safe and secure while still being able to…

Defining the traits and characteristics that go into “independence” can help caregivers and parents understand how to nurture a sense of independence in their children. Characteristics like trial-and-error problem-solving, tolerating failure without giving up, being able to develop confidence by seeing success, and accepting responsibility are all traits that go into being identified as an independent child. “Understanding your child’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical capabilities from a developmental perspective may be the best place to start,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Remember, your child is growing, which comes with struggles, and this may be hard, but independent children tend to grow into healthier adults.” NURTURING INDEPENDENCE in Pre-K CHILD READING LIST ★ “The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do” by Ashley Spires★ “Just In Case You…

When I went away to college (back at the literal turn of the century), the cafeteria seemed initially exciting. There was always pizza, always ice cream and always (always!) sugary cereals in seemingly never-empty bins. My health-nut parents’ idea of a fun breakfast was low-fat granola, so this was the most exciting thing ever happening to me. I quickly discovered that a strict diet of pizza, ice cream and cereal was not a plan with long-term viability, so I began to explore cooking in my dorm room. I bought a set of measuring spoons and cups, dishes, utensils, a small pot, a skillet, a hot plate and a microwave. I figured out where the closest grocery store was and made a weekly trip to fill my backpack with inexpensive, versatile…

Worrying is a natural part of parenting. When you feel overwhelmed by stress, try Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), a proven stress-relief technique that helps you let go of physical and mental tension instantly. With PMR, you tense and relax muscle groups throughout your body, starting with your feet and working your way toward your head. Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. • Close your eyes and take a few long deep breaths through your nose to slow your breathing down. • Now bring your awareness to your feet. As you inhale, point your toes downward and squeeze all the muscles in your feet for a few seconds. As you exhale, completely relax your feet. • Inhale deeply as you flex your toes toward your shins while tensing…

Anyone who has ever spent time with a toddler knows just how hard it is to bite your tongue when they insist they can do it themselves. “Let me do it!” they will undoubtedly shout as they put their shoes on the wrong foot. “I can do it!” they insist as they pour dog food all over the floor. It’s so much easier to do it all ourselves. It’s easier to pick up what fell, tie their shoes, and simply tell them what they got wrong on their homework. But life won’t always be “easier” for our children, and when we rob them of those moments because we’re tired or late or don’t want to clean up the mess that comes with their help, we are robbing them of an…

BULLYING: Children who are bullies often feel powerless in other environments, like their homes. Help prevent bullying behavior from forming by teaching your child healthy problem-solving techniques. Give them room to take risks and take on more responsibility as they feel ready without critique or jumping in to fix mistakes. DRUG: Be open and honest with your kids about what substance abuse looks like and if anyone in the family suffers from it. Understanding the consequences and potentially life-altering dangers that come with substance abuse can be confusing, so it is vital to have a trusted adult there to guide the conversation. TECH: Do your kids know how to perform basic tasks without looking them up on their phone? If not, it may be time to limit their tech use…

As parents, it’s important to know when to let go and allow our children to explore the world on their own. Nurturing a sense of independence in our children is vital in helping them thrive, enabling them to make their own decisions and develop confidence and self-sufficiency. By empowering them with choices and allowing them some freedom of exploration, we can help our children grow into confident, independent adults. THE BENEFITS OF NURTURING INDEPENDENCE IN CHILDREN It can be hard to loosen the reins as a parent; after all, we have a lifetime of experience behind us, and our instinct is to protect our children from all the mistakes we’ve made and all the potential mistakes just waiting for them in the world. But those mistakes are a crucial part…

As parents, we want to raise our children to be independent and make their own choices. But how can we do this without sacrificing our own needs and values? Giving children choices is one way to foster autonomy while still maintaining control of the situation. By offering a range of options that you can live with, you give your child an opportunity to learn how to make decisions and practice self-control. This approach also helps your child develop problem-solving skills and a sense of personal responsibility. Giving your child choices is a great way to help them develop essential skills and foster independence. It allows children to make decisions, practice problem-solving and build confidence. By allowing your child to make choices, you are teaching them that their opinions matter and…

+ 1 PACK OF RAMEN, 2 MEALS Now that you’ve assembled your kitchen equipment and gone to the grocery store, it’s time to cook. Read on for my two favorite ways to turn the most iconic dorm room food item, instant ramen, into two nutritious, satisfying, and very inexpensive meals that are much more than the sum of their parts. MICROWAVE STEAMED EGGS This egg-steaming technique from Eric Kim of The New York Times translates beautifully to dorm room cooking, and a ramen flavor packet provides a fantastic broth to steam the eggs with. For a vegetarian version, just use a vegetarian ramen flavor packet. Serves 1 Ingredients • ½ ramen flavor packet• 2 eggs• 1 teaspoon soy sauce• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup• Chili crisp, hot chili oil…

Allowing your child to explore and make their own choices in early childhood (i.e., 18 months to 3 years) will help them gain self-control. Independence, even at an early age, leads to many benefits such as confidence in their ability to make decisions, better decision-making skills, feelings of importance and belonging in society, higher motivation to accomplish goals, greater self-awareness of their behaviors, and belief they can take care of themselves successfully. All of which serve as the building blocks of their sense of autonomy. Although there is value in letting children learn lessons at their own pace, it is important as a parent or caregiver to encourage them to take on new challenges and be supportive when things don’t go as well as they – or you – had…

Sometimes we want to protect our kids from failure because we fear that they’ll get hurt. However, they must learn how to tolerate failing at tasks to learn that they can survive not always getting everything right. Remember, it’s not about the mistakes they make, but how you respond to their mistakes that decides how they’ll feel. Starting from a young age, children often judge situations and their behaviors based on the reactions of their parents or caregivers. They’ll look to you for approval and a better understanding of their environment. Letting them experience losing, failing, or having difficulty learning to do things will help them develop resilience. As a result, they’ll feel better about themselves and will be more likely to seek new opportunities. If your child is engaging…

Q: I have a friend who gets to do whatever they want. And to be honest, I am a little jealous. My parents are really strict, and whenever they ask me about what I do when I’m over at my friend’s house, I lie because it’s usually something I’m not allowed to do at home. I feel bad lying to my parents, but I also really like having the freedom that my friend has. Should I tell them the truth or just keep enjoying my freedom? – Jake, 7th Grade, Glendale, Arizona. A: This is a challenging situation you’ve got here, Jake. I know that it may seem like your parents are super strict and don’t want you to have fun, but the rules they put in place are likely…

1|LEAVING THEM IN SOMEONE ELSE’S CARE Separation anxiety peaks between six months and three years old. Gradually exposing young children to new people and giving them a comfort item like a special blanket or toy can ease the transition. It’s important to keep goodbyes short and offer hugs, smiles, and reassuring words that you’ll return soon. When kids feel secure and well-loved, it’s easier for them to spend time away from you. 2|HEADING OUT TO SCHOOL To prepare kids for school, give them opportunities to socialize with other kids by setting up playdates and sleepovers. Encourage independence by allowing them to choose what to wear and to make their own lunches as you guide them toward healthy food choices. 3|PRACTICING PERSONAL HYGIENE Under your watchful eye, slowly hand over the…

When I was 8 years old, a grade class had the opportunity to work with the self-contained students in my elementary school. We played board games, took turns and simply sat together, ate lunch and talked. We were each assigned a buddy and mine was Tommy. Tommy had a developmental disability that caused him to have limited verbal abilities. We became friends that year and wrote each other letters during my summers at sleep-away camp. I still have one, my favorite, saying, “Tommy, Watch TV. Tommy.” While mine are the memories of an 8-year-old, my mother tells me I had incredible patience for Tommy and that she knew then that I had found my passion for helping others, especially those with unique needs. For the last 13 years, I have…