New Frontier Immigration Law - May 2021

Get Fit With Your Family 5 Easy Ways to Get Everyone Moving

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the courts that make up the judicial branch. They brought home a handout the other day with a picture of an attorney arguing a case in front of three judges for the 9th Circuit, and when I saw it I said, “You know, girls, I have been in that courtroom and argued cases just like he has. In fact, I even recognize one of those judges.” Their eyes grew wide. It can be hard for kids to picture what their parents do for a living, but usually, they don’t get to see it in the classroom. So when I pulled out my phone and showed them a video of myself in that room, in front of the judge from the pamphlet, those eyes got even wider! I want to show all three of my girls the importance of helping others. I want to leave them the legacy of making our country a better place. And I never want them to forget that it all starts with other people — with families like our own. Recently, my firm got a client permission to leave the country and go visit family because even when someone manages to come here and establish themselves and their children, they aren’t allowed to just leave again. For this woman, that meant she had not seen her grandmother — who really had been a mother to her — in many years. When she came and got that piece of paper, she began to cry. “Finally,” she said, “I get to see my mother again.” Mother’s Day is a reminder of all of this. It’s a day of celebration, and of heartbreak. Of hope, but also of pain. It’s a reminder that our legacies are important and that helping families reunite is one of the most important things I do. If you have not seen your own family because of immigration policies, or if you’re separated from your loved ones, let’s do something about it. Together, we can make sure that when Mother’s Day comes again next year, your own family legacy is in a much stronger place.

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone. You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time. Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day. 1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll. 2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy. 3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.

–Hillary Walsh

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