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Your Compass MONTHLY
OCTOBER 2019
HOWTOTALKTOYOURTEEN ABOUT HEALTH
October is here. Baseball season coming to a close with the World Series, and basketball and hockey are starting their seasons, reminding us that we are on our way to winter and the holiday season (my favorite time of year). FROM THE DESK OF Ty Wilson At the close of October, we will have Halloween: The crazy celebration when our children dress up like someone else, knock on doors of neighbors, and ask for candy. My children love Halloween, and I love to see them so excited. Be careful out during Halloween, as there are several young children who do not have the knowledge and appreciation to realize that they are not the only ones out there. No one wants to hurt someone else, especially a child. It is very preventable, so just drive a little slower and make sure everyone is safe.
EXPERT ADVICE ON NAVIGATING THE WEIGHT LOSS MINEFIELD
With Halloween just around the corner, American kids have candy on the brain, and just because your teen may be getting too old for trick-or-treating doesn’t mean they’re any less likely to chow down on the Snickers bars, Nerds, or M&M’s to celebrate the holiday. In fact, Halloween is often the kickoff to a season of eating in America, with candy-coated October rolling straight into turkey-filled November and cookie-laden December. The abundance of treats coming down the pipeline makes this the perfect time of year to check in on your teen’s fitness and reinforce healthy eating habits. If you’re worried about their health, you’re not alone. According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 30% of American kids ages 10–17 are struggling with obesity. However, the unrealistic standards held up by magazines and social media can make navigating such a conversation tricky, even if you have the best intentions. In the minefield of eating disorders and body image issues that come with today’s chats about diet and exercise, it’s all too easy to detonate a bomb.
As always, enjoy the outdoors and get ready for the holiday season to come.
Drive safely and be careful this Halloween.
-Ty Wilson
Luckily, psychologists and doctors have advice to offer on safeguarding your teen’s mental health and avoiding societal booby traps. Here are a few of their recommendations.
Don’t Criticize
Experts agree that criticizing your teen’s weight or looks will lead to nothing but heartache. Dr. Neville Golden, the lead author of an American Academy of Pediatrics report on avoiding obesity and eating disorders, says that “dieting and size-related shaming are closely linked to
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... continued from Cover the development of eating disorders” as well as low self-esteem. Approach the topic gently and without pointing fingers.
Leave Numbers at the Door
Try to frame success in terms of fitness and comfort rather than weight loss. If you can ignore the scale entirely, that’s even better. Instead of focusing on pounds or clothing size, psychologist Dr. Michaela M. Bucchianeri says in a WebMD article that it’s best to “talk about healthful eating and how to balance that with exercise, sleep, and mental health hygiene.” Similarly, doctors advise ditching the word “diet” entirely. The National Eating Disorders Association reports that more than half of teen girls and almost one-third of teen boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, and taking laxatives, which are often associated with fad diets. Don’t count calories or ban certain food groups. Instead, advocate for an emphasis on Discourage Dieting
Set a Good Example
healthy eating and recommend sweets in moderation.
Above all, don’t contradict your own advice. If you’re telling your teen to eat rice bowls and fruit while chowing down on fast food yourself, they are less likely to improve their health and probably resent your overtures. If your own lifestyle could use some improvement, try the strategy Gramercy Pediatrics medical director Dr. Dyan Hes shared with WebMD: “As a parent, you can say, ‘Listen, I’ve struggled with my weight all my life. I don’t want you to have the same problems I do. I really want to get healthy. Let’s do it together.’”
Make Smart Choices Easy
Even for the laziest commuter, walking to work can start to look just as attractive as driving if the office is only a few blocks away. Similarly, you can set your teen up for success by making healthy choices just as easy, or even easier, than unhealthy ones. Try buying them a membership to a nearby gym; stocking the fridge with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; and planning family activities that encourage fitness, like hikes and bike rides.
When it comes to explaining the disease and its consequences, younger children may require fewer details and broader concepts, while older kids may need more comprehensive answers to their questions. A 5-year-old is going to have different concerns than a 16-year-old, so your approach must be different. However, regardless of your child’s age, always tell the truth. Focus on Prevention Education A loved one doesn’t have to be diagnosed with cancer for you to educate your family about the disease and its prevention. Studies have linked prevention efforts, including anti-smoking campaigns and healthy lifestyle programs, to actually preventing cancer. (In fact, half of all cancers can be prevented!) Teach your child about the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and excessive sun exposure to foster healthy habits and lifestyles. Organizations that host walks, benefits, and other events for cancer prevention and research can be great sources of education for families, too. Talking to Your Kids About Cancer A DIFFICULT DISCUSSION
As pink-clad products line store shelves this October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, children are bound to be curious. Since they rationalize the world around them with what they already know, kids may ask silly questions like, “Is cancer contagious?”Whether you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or you just feel it’s time to educate your children about the disease, answering questions can be difficult. These tips can help you prepare. Always Tell the Truth Telling a child that you or a loved one has cancer can be complicated. To start, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends giving yourself time after hearing the news of a cancer diagnosis to process this new reality. Two-parent households should tell their children together, while single parents are encouraged to ask an adult with a positive influence on the child’s life to join the conversation. Remember, your child will be experiencing the same emotions as you but in a kid’s body, where hormones and developmental changes are already wreaking havoc. Monitor their emotions and offer them space and opportunities to discuss their feelings with a professional.
The ACS has resources for families living with cancer or those wanting to learn more. Visit Cancer.org for more information.
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FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! With the spookiest day of the year fast approaching, there’s nothing like a scary movie night to get the whole family into the Halloween spirit. The only problem is most frightful films really aren’t for kids, and the ones that are often fall flat. But, if you’re looking for a flick that will have the whole family on the edge of their seats (without traumatizing anyone), consider our top three picks for scary, family-friendly movies. SCARY MOVIES N O. 3: ‘GHOSTBUSTERS’ “Who you gonna call” to be high on this list? The 1984 spectral classic, “Ghostbusters.”While this may be more of an action-comedy, plenty of scares and creepy imagery still get a jump out of first-time watchers young and old alike. If you’re looking for a lighthearted movie night that still captures a Halloween feel, “Ghostbusters” is a great choice. N O. 2: ‘CORALINE’ Few authors weave creepiness with coming-of-age stories together better than Neil Gaiman, and his 2009 film“Coraline” proves just that. Based on Gaiman’s book of the same name, director Henry Selick uses his signature stop-motion animation style to bring the
script to life. While young children may find the doll-like imagery too unsettling, this is a great introductory thriller for preteens. N O. 1: ‘SCOOBY-DOO ON ZOMBIE ISLAND’ Yes, a Scooby-Doo movie is at the top of this list — and it deserves to be. As the feature-length debut of Scooby, Shaggy, and the rest of the Mystery Gang, this 1998 film doesn’t pull any punches. While the hand-drawn animation and slapstick high jinks of the original Hanna-Barbera cartoon are all there, make no mistake: There are some creepy moments in this movie. Between scary zombie elements and a spooky Voodoo doll scene, this is the perfect film to get your kids into the Halloween spirit.
Take a Break!
Miso Caramel Apples
INGREDIENTS •
4 Granny Smith apples 1/2 cup raw pistachios 1 1/2 tsp plus 1 cup sugar
• • • •
4 Popsicle sticks
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2 tbsp light corn syrup 1/4 cup heavy cream
3 tbsp sesame seeds
1/4 tsp kosher salt
2 tbsp white miso, divided
DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat oven to 275 F. 2. In a food processor, pulse pistachios and 1 1/2 tsp sugar. Add sesame seeds and 1 tbsp miso, pulsing until miso is fully broken up. Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes and let cool. 3. Meanwhile, insert a Popsicle stick into the center of each apple. 4. In a saucepan, bring corn syrup, 1 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp water to a boil. Boil for 5–7
minutes, swirling infrequently, until caramel is a light amber color.
5. Add cream and salt to caramel, whisking to
combine. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and quickly whisk in remaining miso. 6. To assemble, first roll apple in caramel, then in pistachio mixture, before resting on greased baking sheet. 7. Let cool 30 minutes and serve.
Inspired by Good Housekeeping
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Inside This Issue From the Desk of Ty PAGE 1 How to Talk to Your Teen About Health PAGE 1 Educating Your Kids About Cancer PAGE 2 Frightful Films for Families PAGE 3 Miso Caramel Apples PAGE 3 Take a Break! PAGE 3 3 Strategies for Helping Grandkids Pay for College PAGE 4 College expenses aren’t what they used to be. What used to be affordable to any student with a part-time summer job now can take years to pay off. If your grandkids want to go to college, the cost of education should not be a barrier to their future. Luckily there are ways that you can help ease that financial burden. Invest in a 529 savings plan. There are no limits on age, income, or monetary contributions attached to this college savings account, and contributions are tax-deductible in some states. Just like a Roth IRA, the earnings grow over time and can be used tax-free for qualifying expenses, like tuition and room and board. There are a few downsides, however. Funds from a grandparent’s 529 savings plan are considered student income and could hurt your student’s eligibility for financial aid. If you choose to
DON’T LET MONEY GET IN THE WAY Of Your Grandchild’s Education
fund through a parent’s 529 savings plan, which doesn’t count as student income, you lose control over the funds you contribute.
look for other opportunities to save. There are thousands of available scholarships, grants, and programs to help students pay for college, and helping them look online and in your community can go a long way. College could be your grandchild’s first stop on the path to achieving their dreams. You can be a part of that journey by making sure money doesn’t get in the way of that.
Pay their tuition. Not everybody has $20,000 just lying
around, but if you do, using it to pay for your grandchild’s tuition isn’t a bad way to spend it. Normally, annual financial gifts that are exempt from the federal gift tax can’t exceed $15,000, but payments toward someone’s tuition, for any amount, are not taxed. Keep in mind, however, that the money can only go toward tuition, not toward other college expenses like room and board or textbooks.
Help them find opportunities to save.
Even if you don’t have thousands of dollars to give, you can still help your grandkids
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