“My elementary school teacher, Mrs. Smallwood, work,” she says. taught me to believe in myself even when I didn’t In order to get ready for back to school, Mowry know the answer. She did little things that showed has a checklist she follows. me she cared, and when someone is investing their “The main thing is to go ahead and check off time and showing you that they care, it makes you your list of tools that you’ll need for your child want to care about yourself,” says Mowry, whose ahead of time, like the essentials such as markers, acting career began in the 1990s when she starred pencils, backpacks and even lunch bags. Just like alongside her identical twin, Tamera Mowrymy mom used to do, I get new clothes including Housley, on ABC’s Sister, Sister. jeans, socks and new underwear because it’s the These days, the 42-year-old is busy wearing perfect time to get your child new stuff.” multiple hats as an actress, entrepreneur, author, She also suggests helping children deal with any producer, wife to actor Cory Hardrict and mother anxieties by visiting their classroom ahead of time, to son Cree, 9, and daughter Cairo, 2. She shares getting familiar with school grounds and meeting cooking tips and life hacks on the digital series the teacher before the first day of school. Once the Tia Mowry’s Quick Fix on Facebook and YouTube, school year kicks off, preparations don’t stop, so stars on the Netflix show Family Reunion and is Mowry says she tries to stay ahead of the game the co-founder of Anser, a health and wellness with a few tricks. supplement line. “I put out the first week of Now that Mowry, whose acting the clothes Cree is going to be credits include a starring role on wearing in his closet, so we The Game from 2006 to 2015 and both know what he’s going to several Lifetime and Hallmark be wearing and it’s prepped. It Channel holiday movies, has kids saves a lot of time and anxiety,” of her own, she appreciates even she says. more the role that teachers play as an essential part of a child’s QUICK FIXES development, in part because The kitchen is a place where of the countless hours spent Mowry feels right at home — after together in the classroom. And all, she authored a cookbook their impact goes beyond K-12. titled Whole New You: How Real Mowry and her sister graduated Food Transforms Your Life, for a — TIA MOWRY from Pepperdine University in Healthier, More Gorgeous You in California. There, one professor’s 2017 — so preparing food ahead lessons went beyond the of time is also on the to-do list. textbook. “My son is a huge snacker, so it’s beneficial “Dr. Banks was there when I was feeling insecure to create some snacks that you can do on the about my body, and I was on Sister, Sister at the time weekends and have enough stored for the week and taking diet pills. I just wasn’t loving myself, ahead. One that I like to do is apple crisps, which is and he made me realize the importance of my just cutting up apples, putting some cinnamon on mental health in his psychology classes,” Mowry them and putting it on a sheet tray, then throwing says. “Teachers are teaching you educational and it in the oven. Or you can create a popcorn medley life tools that really carry you on as you get older, with pretzels and other fun things.” and that’s why it is so important to show teachers For breakfast, she says her son loves overnight how much we care.” oats to start his day, and it’s an easy meal to prep ahead of time. BACK-TO-SCHOOL TRADITIONS “You just put oats with some milk and fruit ... in As Mowry gears up to send her son to fourth Mason jars in the refrigerator, so in the morning, grade, she’s relying on traditions that her mother you don’t have to make anything. You just screw off passed down. “My mom taught us that when you the top and it’s done,” she says. are going to school, you’re going to get an education Her son has a peanut allergy and daughter Cairo and learn new things, so it should be an enjoyable is a picky eater, so Mowry has to get creative with experience. So you should present yourself in a meals. For Cree, she will substitute almond butter way to let your teachers know that you are ready to or sunflower butter for peanut butter, but with >
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“If you take care of yourself, you aren’t being selfish.”
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