This Month at MASK💚

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This Month at MASK: May

Is it Situational?

Or Something Substantially More?

In a world where everything and everyone is made to look happy, perfect and well put together, how could this not have an effect on children today?

When a child is spending so much time scrolling down the screen looking, comparing and ingesting this “false” narrative, how, as parents, can we monitor, protect and redirect how they are feeling?

There are so many things today that can contribute to your child feeling

less than, feeling anxious and feeling depressed especially during this past year. We know that genetics and environment play a huge role in mental health. Research has shown that people with parents or siblings who have depression are up to three times more likely to have the condition.

While I have never struggled with depression or have experienced anxiety for a long period of time, I have witnessed it closer than I would have liked over the years. Life is always going to present times that are less than perfect and troubling, yet Everyone handles those times differently.

As parents, we have to watch how our children respond to these times and ask ourselves is this a situational circumstance? Or something substantially more?

Parenting is a 24/7 responsibility and watching out for signs and symptoms that our children may present allows us the opportunity to help support them, love them through it, and seek the professional help that they may need.

There should be no negative stigma around mental health. As a society, we have to realize that mental fitness should be just as or more important than physical fitness. Today, there is a highway of information out there to help, as well as resources available near and far. Just remember: As a parent, you are in the driver’s seat.

From Pre-K to College

Download the MASKmatters app and read The Generation Stress Issue and learn how to help your child develop coping skills for all ages.

Gather around the table and cook up conversation.

*Conversation starters to incorporate at meal time

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Did you know our diet has a HUGE impact on brain function? Our brains consume over 20 percent of all nutrients and oxygen that we take in. What are some healthy options we can think of to best feed our brain?

Let's pick our mood music for the happy days, sad days, motivating days and frustrating days. This way when I pick you up, I know how to honor your space and you know how to honor mine.

MASK The Magazine

is the parenting manual offering solutions to the

modern day challenges families face.

Published four times a

year, each issue of the

award-winning magazine tackles an important topic in-depth and examines how it

can affect kids from kindergarten through college.

Readers will learn age-appropriate conversation starters which

can help open the lines of communication between parent and child. Through compelling stories, expert advice and

information, each issue will prepare and equip parents

and children with knowledge and resources which can

empower children to make safe, healthy choices.

For only $24 a year, receive four issues of the award-winning

MASK The Magazine delivered conveniently to your door.

Or, for only $12 a year, download MASK The Magazine

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Summer Issue: Self Esteem

Self-Esteem:

The Balance of

Internal and External

Self-Worth.

Scottsdale, AZ: Raising confident, happy humans would be much easier if they could just take it from us that they are wonderful and kind and smart and capable. But, if there is one parenting truism that proves itself time and time again, it is that children will never listen to what you say, but they will always watch what you do. And so, like all aspects of parenting, fostering a solid foundation of self-esteem for our children is a full-immersion job, requiring us to listen and model and be mindful of all the little things that shape our children’s perception of themselves.

“I can’t stress this enough,” says Dr. Sue Varma, a psychiatrist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Health. “Having a healthy sense of self-worth is paramount to a child’s mental health outcomes.” How do parents help foster that healthy sense of self-worth? Especially in this challenging digital age where children are exposed to highlight reels and stories of seemingly flawless people. How do we help them recognize this is not real-life? How do we help them avoid the comparison trap? How do we help them focus on their unique attributes rather than internalize all the ways they think they might not measure up? All these questions and more are answered in the summer issue of MASK The Magazine Self-Esteem: The Balance of Internal and External Self-Worth.

Parents and caregivers will find an age-appropriate guide on helping children develop a healthy sense of self. We often think of self-esteem as confidence, but it’s more than that. Self-esteem is an essential part of emotional resilience. “When thinking about self-esteem as a resiliency factor, we are saying that people with a healthy self-esteem are able to tolerate distress, bounce back from negative experiences, and be adaptable and flexible,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Children with high self-esteem tend to take healthy risks, are not afraid of trying new things, and tend to experience positive social interactions.”

Additionally, this issue of MASK explores the signs of low self-esteem and how to take advantage of your community of support to advocate for the child and bolster his emotional health. Additionally readers will learn the importance of imperfection and letting kids learn by doing.

MASK takes pride in keeping you up to date with current need-to-know tips on health, prevention and connection. Check out this quarterly advice as well as MASK’s “A List” of family friendly must-have items. Don’t forget to make sure to reboot, reconnect and have some family fun this summer. Before you make those summer plans be sure to read MASK’s “Behind the Wheel '' section, highlighting Airstream Adventures that offer a roadmap to family connection. As well as the “On the Road” section, featuring iconic Coney Island and all this historic American hot spot has to offer.

Subscribe now to the Self-Esteem issue at www.maskmatters.org and share MASK the Magazine with your friends and family. MASK The Magazine offers solutions to the modern-day challenges families face.

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Consider investing in youth by supporting MASK programs for schools, clubs and organizations. Life Skill building curriculum aligned with modern day challenges.

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Shop for Moms & Grads in-store on

Wednesday, May 4th from Noon-2pm

and mention 'MASK' for 20% of your purchase

to go back to MASK!

SHOP ONLINE:

Shop online May 3rd & 4th with code

GIVEBACK-BVXKQ in your cart or at checkout on kendrascott.com, and 20% of your purchase will go back to MASK

Please copy and paste exact code. If code works, 'Shop For Good' will appear in your cart!

KENDRASCOTT.COM

Have questions on how to shop a virtual giveback event? Click HERE.

Come to the store Noon-2pm on May 4th

to benefit MASK

15147 N Scottsdale Rd Suite H-155

Scottsdale, AZ

unMASKed

October 15th

SAVE THE DATE

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and Print

Today!!!

Family Connection Activity

It is the experts’ opinion that the magic of sit-down meals arises when families get together to speak and laugh, to share their day-to-day problems, and to encourage one another through the up and downs that life throws at them. These moments of connection help people feel more at home in their own skin, which leads to higher levels of self-esteem and self-confidence.

MASK Live segments are streamed through YouTube and feature medical doctors, clinical psychologists, professors and professionals who share their expertise and parenting advice on health, prevention and connection. Viewers are invited to join in to “ask the expert” questions and be part of the discussion. Full episodes are available on the MASKmatters App.