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10 LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER VALERIA: A MOM, & IMMIGRANT STORY LESS SCREEN TIME, MORE FOCUS DEAR PARENTS: YOU ARE YOUR CHILD’S FIRST SCHOOL BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO BALANCE: PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR CONSCIOUS MENOPAUSE: A NEW NARRATIVE OF HOLISTIC WELLNESS FOR LATINA WOMEN

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Dear Houston Latino Family, As a new school year begins, we welcome a season of fresh starts, structure, and reflection. In this special Back to School, Back to Balance edition of Houston Latino Family Magazine, we want to walk with you through this important transition—one that goes beyond school supplies and schedules.

This edition focuses on mental health as a priority, helping families create balance at home and in the classroom. Because we know that success in school starts with emotional well-being—and that includes both our children and ourselves as parents.

And there’s something we want to remind you of: Dear parent… you are your child’s first school.

Your love, your words, your example—these are the first lessons that shape their world.

Thank you for letting us be part of your journey, for growing with us, and for believing in the power of community. And get ready—our next edition marks a special moment: our anniversary! We can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’re a reader, contributor, or partner, your presence and support help us continue building a publication that reflects the heart and strength of our community.

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ABOUT YOU AS A MOM, WOMAN & IMMIGRANT 1. For those who don’t know you yet, how would you describe yourself today as a woman, a mother, and a voice for the community?

I describe myself as someone passionate about my family and deeply committed to sharing meaningful experiences. As a mother, I value quality time and creating memories with my children.

As a woman and immigrant, I have embraced the opportunity to become a bridge for my community, exploring Texas and beyond, and sharing trusted recommendations so other families can enjoy all that these places offer. I strive to be a reliable voice and source of inspiration for Latino families looking to stay connected, informed, and empowered.

2. As an immigrant, what has your journey been like building a platform that now connects so many Latino families in Houston?

As a newcomer in such a vast city like Houston, I initially felt lost. Distances were long and life moved fast. That is when I realized our community needed a trusted platform to help families discover local experiences. I created Cocoventura to fill that gap.

No one was doing it the way I envisioned: accessible, family-focused, and in Spanish. The response was immediate. Families wanted connection, ideas, and inspiration. Today, my platform reaches up to 3 million monthly views, and I remain closely connected to the community every day. This is not just my job but It is my passion.

3. What values do you try to instill most in your children during these school years?

Family unity is our foundation. I teach my children that no matter what challenges we face, we overcome them together.

We balance work, school, and responsibilities while still making time to enjoy the little moments.

I want them to grow with empathy, resilience, and gratitude, and to always understand the importance of contributing to their community.

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ABOUT COCOVENTURA & YOUR MISSION 4. How was Cocoventura born, and what inspired you to start creating content for families?

Cocoventura was born from my own need as a mom to find reliable, family-friendly places to visit. I realized that many parents around me shared the same need. They wanted to create memories but didn’t know where to go or what to do. I began documenting our experiences and sharing them online. It started with simple posts and videos and quickly turned into a growing platform trusted by thousands.

My inspiration comes from helping families reconnect through shared experiences.

5. What do you think Latino families in Houston are looking for when it comes to spending quality time together?

Latino families value connection, tradition, and joy. They are often looking for affordable, culturally inclusive places where they can relax, feel welcome, and celebrate together. Whether it is a local festival, a nature hike, or a hidden gem restaurant, they want to make the most of their time together, and Cocoventura.com is here to guide them.

6. How do you balance your role as a mom, content creator, and digital marketing professional?

Balance is a constant practice. I plan carefully and stay organized, but I also allow space for flexibility. I involve my family in what I do.

Sometimes they join the experiences we share, which helps us bond even more. I also focus on managing time wisely, staying grounded in my mission, and knowing when to unplug and recharge.

9. What local events, places, or resources would you recommend for families looking to enjoy this season to the fullest?

I recommend exploring the local libraries, museums with free days, and weekend farmers markets. Outdoor parks like Discovery Green or local nature trails are perfect for family bonding. I also share updated lists on Cocoventura to keep families informed and inspired throughout the season.

BACK TO SCHOOL & FAMILY LIFE 7. Back-to-school season can be overwhelming.

What are your go-to tips to help make the transition smoother for both kids and parents?

Start routines early, even a week before school begins. Create a visual schedule to help children know what to expect. We prepare clothes, snacks, and backpacks the night before to avoid morning stress. Most importantly, we talk about the positives of school and set fun goals for the year ahead.

8. Do you and your family have any special traditions or routines that help kick off the new school year?

Yes, we always plan a “Back-to-School Family Day” where we do something fun together, like a trip to the park or a movie night. It is our way of celebrating a fresh start and easing into the new schedule with excitement, not pressure.

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INSPIRATION, FAITH & FUTURE 10. Faith often plays an important role in how we face challenges and raise our families. How has your faith guided you as a mother, a woman, and an entrepreneur?

Faith has grounded me in moments of doubt and lifted me in moments of joy. It reminds me that I have a purpose and that this work, this mission, is bigger than me. As a mom, faith helps me raise my children with love and intention. As an entrepreneur, it gives me the courage to take risks and serve with integrity.

11. What message would you share with other Latina moms who want to offer the best to their children, despite the challenges they may face?

You are stronger than you think. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start with what you have, where you are. Your culture, your roots, and your love are powerful tools. Keep showing up, even when it feels hard. Your children are watching, and you are building a path with every small step you take.

12. What dreams or goals do you have for Cocoventura in the coming years?

My dream is to expand Cocoventura as a national and international platform that promotes family values and supports Latino communities across the U.S. I envision opening a family experience center and collaborating with local businesses to create more immersive, inclusive events.

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By Hannah Menslage

Less Screen Time, More Focus A Digital Routine That Works Let’s be honest. Raising a child or teenager in 2025 is far more complicated than it was in the past.

The world has rapidly changed into an digitally-driven environment unfamiliar to our ancestors, and with those changes, we’ve seen technology, including our electronics, exponentially evolve.

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Due to these changes, Gen. Z and Gen. Alpha’s upbringings have been fundamentally altered. While electronics aren’t inherently negative, and can actually be used for positive purposes, the data on its consequences is undeniable. Here are a few factors to consider: • Research indicates a potential link between excessive digital media use and decreased attention spans, including focus disorders like ADHD. • Digital media, especially those with rapid changes in content or constant notifications, can make it harder to maintain focus on a single task.

• The constant need to switch attention and multitask on digital devices can negatively impact executive functions like cognitive control and working memory.

• Excessive screen time and social media use have been linked to increased anxiety and stress, which can further impair attention.

With these points in mind, it’s easy to see how overuse of technology could negatively affect your child- and their schooling.

However, balancing digital time takes planning and consistency. Here’s a Houston Latino Family Magazineproven strategy: 1. Screen-Time Schedule: After school 30–45 minutes of gaming or tablets.

2. Homework time: Phone/tablets off 3. Evening: 20–30 minutes of educational shows/apps, then screens off 1 hour before bed.

4. Tech-Free Zones: No devices at the dining table or in bedrooms.

5. Family Apps: Use Google Family Link (Android) or Screen Time (iOS) to monitor usage.

6. Screen Alternatives: Board games, outdoor activities, reading time— make them fun and culturally engaging.

If you choose to implement these strategies, know that they reap real results. Parents report multitudes of positive improvements in their children, such as boosted moods, improved sleep, more family conversations—and even better grades.

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By Hannah Menslage

Dear Parents: You Are Your Child’s First School

Before your child learns to add or read, before they ever sit at a school desk or take a test, their most important lessons begin at home, with you.

Psychologists have long emphasized the powerful role of early relationships in shaping a child’s development. According to attachment theory, a child’s bond with their parent or caregiver becomes the emotional blueprint they carry into every other part of life, including school. When that bond is strong, children feel secure, confident, and ready to explore the world around them. In essence, when they know they’re loved, they learn better.

Your presence, affection, and attention teach your child that they are safe and valued.

That sense of security develops into what psychologists call a “secure attachment,” which helps them regulate emotions, develop resilience, and build healthy relationships with teachers, classmates, and eventually, coworkers and partners.

That’s why something as simple as a morning hug, a bedtime story, or listening when your child talks about their day isn’t just a kind gesture. It’s shaping their brain, strengthening their emotional health, and creating the foundation for future success.

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And learning doesn’t stop with emotions. Everyday life offers endless opportunities to teach without ever opening a textbook. Speaking Spanish at home helps reinforce language skills and strengthens cultural identity. Cooking together teaches math, patience, and cooperation. Sharing family stories builds connection and imparts values. These moments teach far more than facts; they shape character.

As a parent, you’re not just helping with homework; you’re helping shape how your child sees themselves as a learner. Encouraging effort, praising persistence, and being present during tough moments teaches them that learning is a journey worth taking. When a child sees that their parent believes in them, they start believing in themselves.

Your partnership with the school matters too. Children thrive when the adults in their life work together. You don’t need to be at every event or know every detail of the curriculum to make an impact. Attending a parent-teacher meeting, volunteering once a year, or even just checking in with their teacher shows your child that you care, and that they’re not in this alone.

Parenting isn’t easy. It’s a daily commitment, full of both joy and challenge. But it’s also one of the most powerful forces in a child’s life. The love and connection you offer at home are more than enough to prepare your child for the world and help them thrive in it.

So keep showing up, even on the hard days. Keep sharing your culture, your language, and your love. You are doing more than raising a child. You are nurturing a mind, a heart, and a future.

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health & wellness

Back to School, Back to Balance: Prioritizing Mental Health in the New Academic Year As the back-to-school season approaches, backpacks are filled, class schedules are posted, and the scent of sharpened pencils fills the air.

However, behind the excitement of a fresh start lies an often-overlooked reality: the emotional and mental toll that returning to school can take on students, teachers, and parents alike.

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The Invisible Backpack: What Students Carry Inside Going back to school isn’t just about buying supplies and choosing outfits it’s a shift in routine, social dynamics, and academic pressure. For some students, it’s also the return of anxiety, comparison, and a struggle for balance.

“In many ways, school is a microcosm of the world,” says Dr. Lena Murphy, a school psychologist in Boston. “It brings with it structure and opportunity, but also stress, performance pressure, and social challenges.”

Signs of mental health struggles can be subtle: irritability, fatigue, withdrawal, or changes in eating and sleeping patterns.

For high school and college students, the stakes may feel even higher GPA, extracurriculars, and college admissions can create a pressure cooker environment.

For Parents: Creating a Safe Landing Pad Parents play a vital role in nurturing mental health. Open communication is key. Ask more than “How was school?” Try “What was the best part of your day?” or “What challenged you today?” These open-ended questions invite deeper conversation.

It’s also important to model balance. Children learn by example if they see parents managing stress with healthy coping strategies, they’re more likely to do the same.

Teachers: The Frontline Mental Health Advocates Educators are often the first to notice when a student is struggling. “We see the full spectrum of emotions in our classrooms,” says Michelle Nguyen, a middle school teacher in California. “We’re not just teaching math or history we’re teaching human beings.”

Professional development in mental health awareness, access to school counselors, and manageable class sizes can support teachers in supporting students. But teachers also need support because their own well-being burnout is real, and it has consequences far beyond the staff lounge.

Mental Health Tips for the New School Year Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, here are a few ways to protect and promote mental well-being: 1. Build Routine, But Stay Flexible – Structure helps, but don’t be afraid to adapt as needed.

2. Prioritize Sleep and Nutrition – These basics fuel emotional resilience.

3. Create Space for Downtime – Not every moment needs to be scheduled.

4. Check In, often – Regular emotional check-ins can prevent crises.

5. Seek Help Early – If something feels off, talk to a counselor or mental health professional.

health & wellness We’re Here to Help — Let’s Support Students Together If you know a student who is struggling — academically, behaviorally, or emotionally — we invite you to refer them to our team for personalized support.

We provide: • Mental health sessions tailored to children and adolescents • Support for students showing signs of stress, anxiety, social withdrawal, or academic pressure • Behavioral interventions and family support plans • Assessments included: • ADHD and Autism screenings • Intellectual and academic assessments • Behavioral evaluations Our goal is to partner with families, schools, and communities to create an environment where every child feels supported, seen, and capable of success.

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A Healthier Kind of Success As we begin a new school year, it’s time to redefine success. Achievement is important but not at the cost of emotional well-being. A healthy mind is the foundation of meaningful learning, strong relationships, and long-term success.

Let this school year be about more than grades or goals. Let it be about growth personally, emotionally, and mentally.

Book your appointment today at 281-962-6025, and take the first step toward a healthier, happier you.

Suite 550, 3750 South Mason Road, Katy, Texas 77450, USA www.inmyheartcounselingandpsychologicalservices.com Dr Rebecca Licensed psychologist and owner of of In my heart Psychology & Counseling.

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wellness

By Ángeles Cano – Certified Menopause & Women’s Holistic Health Coach

Conscious Menopause: A New Narrative of Holistic Wellness for Latina Women In many Latino families, menopause is still something we whisper about, if we talk about it at all. It’s often surrounded by myths or seen as the loss of youth, vitality, or emotional balance.

But what if we reimagined this transition? What if menopause wasn’t an ending, but a beginning?

As a certified Menopause Coach and Women’s Holistic Health Coach, I’ve witnessed how powerful this stage can be, when it’s lived with intention. Menopause is not an illness to treat or a problem to hide. It is a natural rite of passage, a time of realignment, and an invitation to deepen our connection with ourselves.

We don’t need to “fix” menopause, we need to understand it. And we need spaces, especially in our Latino communities, where this conversation can happen openly, free of shame or fear.

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A Time to Honor, Not to Hide This stage of life can mark the beginning of something beautiful: a wiser, more grounded version of ourselves. But too often, women face it feeling alone or unprepared. Instead of honoring their body’s signals, they push through, ignoring fatigue, irritability, or sadness.

Menopause asks us to pause. To listen. To nourish ourselves in ways we might never have done before.

Here are three simple but powerful shifts I encourage every woman to explore: 1. Listen to Your Body, Not Just Your Calendar Symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, or mood swings are not enemies, they’re messengers. Begin by journaling just a few minutes each day. Track how you feel physically and emotionally. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns and understand your body’s unique rhythm.

2. Nourish with Intention Food is more than fuel, it’s support. Include whole foods rich in calcium, magnesium, and phytoestrogens: flaxseeds, leafy greens, lentils, fermented soy.

Hydration is also crucial. These small choices can bring big relief and strengthen your resilience.

3. Make Rest Sacred Menopause is a natural invitation to slow down.

Restorative practices like walking, yoga, deep breathing, and good sleep are not luxuries, they’re medicine. In this phase, rest is as essential as any other form of care.

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Breaking the Silence Our culture needs new stories about menopause, ones that replace silence with compassion, fear with curiosity, and shame with empowerment. This is especially true in Latino families, where generational silence often keeps women in the dark.

When we speak honestly about menopause, we don’t just help ourselves, we help our daughters, our friends, our communities. We normalize a conversation that should’ve never been taboo to begin with.

Menopause isn’t the end of something. It’s a sacred transition, a return to the self. And when we walk through it with awareness, we emerge not diminished, but deeply renewed

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