These not-scary Halloween movies for kids make a spooktacular fun family night at home

The night of trick-or-treating will be here soon, and what better way to get into the mood than with some not-s0-scary Halloween movies for kids? This list has something for everyone from toddlers to big kids, and the best part is none of them will leave littles with nightmares. If you have older kids who might be ready for more chills, check out our list of scary movies for kids. If you make a night out of it, consider making a Halloween-themed dinner too!

Barney Halloween Party

Everyone's favorite plum-colored T-Rex recruits his pals B.J. and Baby Bop for a night of tricks and treats. The crew is getting ready for a costume party held at the school gym, and you can bet there will be singing, dancing, and lots of chitchat about friendship along the way. But fear not: There are more giggles than gasps to be had in this Halloween adventure.

Recommended for ages 2 and older.

Stream it on YouTube.

Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest

Curiosity gets this little primate into a lot of predicaments. On Halloween, that translates to an adventure with the Man in the Yellow Hat and some other friends to solve the mysterious legend of No Noggin. No need to hide behind the sofa, though; this treat is less Headless Horseman, and more horsing around. So, for a fun flick about friendship, teamwork, and candy, this one's for your brood.

Recommended for ages 3 and older.

Stream it on Apple TV or buy it on Amazon.

Related: Best Halloween Movies for Kids You Can Stream Now

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Monster Musical

Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto all head out to a haunted castle, where cinema's classic monsters are in the mood to party. We're talking Disney-verse takes on the Wolf Man, Frankenstein's Monster, and Count Mickula himself. Luckily, they can all carry a tune, because the movie culminates in a musical starring the gang's new monsterly friends that will thrill the little ones.

Recommended for ages 3 and older.

Buy it on Amazon

 

Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie

Facing your fears is easy when you have the support of your friends. That's the heartfelt message embedded in this sweet-as-honey Halloween story starring Pooh Bear and the rest of the Hundred Acre crew. It's Lumpy's first Halloween but the spooky antics of the Gobloon have him shaking in his stompers. Thankfully, tiny Roo is there to help Lumpy conquer his fears.

Recommended for ages 3 and older.

Stream it on Amazon Prime

Eloise's Rawther Unusual Halloween

Ghosts and goblins have nothing on this six-year-old blondie. Not even the Plaza's most legendary former guest, Diamond Jim Johnson, who waits for October 31 every year to pay his old haunt a visit. When Eloise finds herself suspect No. 1 behind the scare tactics, she launches her own supernatural investigation. Grab the popcorn and settle in for three episodes of wicked fun.

Recommended for ages 4 and older.

Stream it on Apple TV

Related: 21 Easy Homemade Healthy(ish) Halloween Snacks

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

No holiday is complete without the Peanuts gang. From Valentine's Day and Election Day to Thanksgiving and Christmas, these guys have an animated special for every occasion. And Halloween is no exception. Here, Chuck and company go trick-or-treating, while Linus and Sally hide out in a pumpkin patch to spy on the Great Pumpkin. Parents, you know this one never gets old.

Recommended for ages 4 and older.

Stream it on Apple TV

A Very Brave Witch and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids

Part of a series that includes several animated Scholastic tales, A Very Brave Witch offers some mildly spooky fun for the littles. The story is narrated by Elle Fanning and follows a girl witch as she unravels the stereotypes of humankind and comes out the other side with greater understanding. Further fun comes in the form of "The Three-Legged Cat," "Georgie," and more.

Recommended for ages 4 and older.

Buy it on Amazon

Dear Dracula

According to lore, Count Drac is a sharp-fanged vampire who feeds on all blood types and shapeshifts for fun. But with Dear Dracula, we get to see a softer side of the Transylvanian nobleman. When Sam, a shy kid who doesn't fit in, writes to the Count, who feels rejected in today's monster mash, the two turn Halloween into a sweet night of getting their mojos back.

Recommended for ages 5 and older.

Stream it on Amazon Prime. 

Related: 33 Pumpkin Carving Designs That’ll Wow the Neighborhood

Mickey's House of Villains

The good guys may always win in the end, but the baddies sure do have a lot of fun before their defeat. In this animated classic Halloween movie for kids, Disney's baddest bunch, from Jafar and Hades to Maleficent and Ursula, descend upon Mickey and Minnie's abode, with the mousey couple battling the iconic villains to save their House of Mouse.

Recommended for ages 5 and older.

Stream it on Apple TV.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

Released in 1949, this two-story classic remains a sight to behold nearly a century later, its vibrant animation both impressive and nostalgic. Opening the film, Mr. Toad goes on an adventure through the willows before headliner Ichabod Crane mingles with the Headless Horseman. Now, this part is an adaptation of Sleepy Hollow, but rest assured it's about as spine-tingling as a tickling feather.

Recommended for ages 6 and older.

Stream it on Disney+.

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein

Alvin, Simon, and Theodore can hang with anyone–they are popstar royalty, after all. So, palling around with Dr. Frankenstein and his Monster is no thang for these 'munkies. Not to mention they're all scientific anomalies. What could go wrong? Set in a studio theme park under the night sky, the boys sing songs and learn that not all monsters are scary.

Recommended for ages 6 and older.

Stream it on Vudu.

Related: 27 Not-Too-Spooky Songs for Your Halloween Playlist

Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King

When we tell you there are a zillion Scooby spinoffs floating around digital libraries, we're not lying. Especially since no one has ever really defined "zillion." Nevertheless, Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King is one worth your time. Here, Shaggy and his goofy Great Dane head into the underworld to take on goblins and mortals with bad intentions. Up for another? Hunt down Zombie Island!

Recommended for ages 6 and older

Stream it on Max and Apple TV.

Casper Meets Wendy

Hilary Duff makes her video debut with a silly spook-fest that costars the world's friendliest ghost. Duff plays Wendy, a witch with a heart of gold, and with Casper, the two take on the evil warlock wreaking havoc on their town. Kids will love the amusing slapstick and goofy shenanigans. Parents? There's actually some A-list talent here. See: Cathy Moriarty, Teri Garr, and Shelley Duvall.

Recommended for ages 6 and older.

Stream it on YouTube.

Scared Shrekless

He's green. He's mean. And he's always dressed for Halloween. He's Shrek, and he's the ogre at the center of this DreamWorks spinoff dedicated to the last day of October. Challenging his scaredy-cat pals to a night of ghost stories and haunted castle dwellings, Shrek sets out to crown the King of Halloween. And just like the other films in the canon, this one is all giggles, all the time.

Recommended for ages 6 and older.

Stream it on Freeform. 

Toy Story of TERROR!

Woody, Pixar's pull-string cowboy who can make adults cry like babies, teams up with the contents of his human's toy box for another adventure straddling the border between the human world and the secret life of toys. This time, the gang is trapped at a roadside motel when members of their crew begin to go missing. But if we know Woody, he's got this. Unless there's a snake in his boot.

Recommended for ages 6 and older.

Stream it on Disney+.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

The comedy duo extraordinaire put their slapstick brilliance into action with a story that sees the Wolf Man warning the bumbling pair that Dr. Frankenstein wants their brains for his creation. Hmm, who wants to be the one to tell the mad doc these two aren't the sharpest pencils in the box? Older kids, tweens, parents, and everyone will delight in this horror-screwball classic Halloween movie. 

Recommended for ages 7 and older.

Stream it on Amazon Prime.

Related: 15 Magical Witch Movies to Watch with Your Kids This Season

Casper & Friends

The kindly spirit stars in this collection of charming animated tales. A retro time capsule that includes adventures with Wendy the Good Little Witch, Baby Huey, and Little Audrey, the '90s series offers 51 episodes of Halloween fare that'll scare the boredom right out of the younger set. All that's missing is some boo-nanas and ghoul-aid.

Recommended for ages 7 and older.

Stream it on Amazon Prime.

 

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a not scary Halloween movie
Walt Disney Pictures

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Visionary director Tim Burton works his magic on a tale about a bony pumpkin king named Jack Skellington who stumbles onto a wondrous world of twinkling lights, happy faces, and snowflakes. It's called Christmas Town, and it's exactly what he believes his macabre town needs. Both kids and parents will get a kick out of the gothic creativity on display, as well as Danny Elfman's composition.

Recommended for ages 7 and older.

Stream it on Disney+.

Hotel Transylvania

Not only a wonderful gateway film for kids into the family-friendly horror movie genre, Hotel Transylvania is a first-class father-daughter comedy that tugs at all the right strings. About a Count who runs a resort for monsters only, the film is a mash-up of signature Adam Sandler comedy and wonderful animated misadventures that will keep the kids howling.

Recommended for ages 7 and older

Stream it on Hulu, and Apple TV, and rent it on Amazon.

Girl vs. Monster

For some, learning how their parents lived through the '60s is the most shocking revelation they'll hear. For Skylar Lewis, it's learning that her parents are monster hunters. After haphazardly releasing every monster her parents have captured, this Buffy-in-training and her friends are forced to face not only their demons but save their parents from the very monsters they'd hunted.

Recommended for ages 7 and older.

Stream it on Disney + or rent it on Amazon Prime.

Halloweentown

Just like Christmas, Halloween is always under attack. From evil forces to wicked monsters, the joyful night of trick-or-treating is just one dark spell away from vanishing into the ether. Luckily, we have Marnie, Aggie, and Gwen to rely on. Three generations of vigilant witches take to their broomsticks to save Halloweentown, their adventures kicking off in this franchise opener.

Recommended for ages 7 and older.

Stream it on Disney+ or rent it on Amazon Prime. 

Monsterous Holiday

A clever holiday-fusing tale, this one has fun with science, football, and the spirit of the holidays. The story follows Andy, a kid who accidentally creates a monster. In a twist of irony, his monster is his mirror opposite: It craves sports, while Andy craves beakers and experiments. Helping each other become their best selves, the two kick off the best holiday season ever.

Recommended for ages 7 and older. 

Stream it on Amazon Prime. 

 

Related: 13 Scary Flicks for Your Budding Horror Movie Fan

 

 

Common Sense Media
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.

Get ready for lots of spooky fun with Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween

With September wrapping up, it’s time to officially get in the Halloween spirit with lots of spooky shows and films. Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween is here for all your creepy, crawly needs.

The network’s annual event starts Oct. 1 and includes lots of kid-friendly picks as well as scarier options for when the kids are in bed (we see you, A Quiet Place).  

Related: 27 Not-Too-Spooky Songs for Your Halloween Playlist

Check out the full “31 Nights of Halloween” schedule from Freeform below. With at least two movies a day there are plenty of ways to get your Halloween spirit on all month long! (Note: All times Eastern, unless otherwise noted.) 

Week of Oct. 1

Disney

Saturday, Oct. 1

7:00a/6:00c - Edward ScissorHands

9:10a/8:10c - The Witches (1990)

11:20a/10:20c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

1:25p/10:20c - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

3:05p/2:05c - Hotel Transylvania

5:10p/4:10c - Hotel Transylvania 2

7:15p/6:15c - Hocus Pocus

9:25p/8:25c - Beetlejuice

11:30p/10:30c - Ghostbusters (1984)

 

Sunday, Oct. 2

7:00a/6:00c - The Witches (1990)

9:10a/8:10c - Decorating Disney: Halloween Magic

10:10a/9:10c - Halloweentown

12:15p/11:15c - Hotel Transylvania

2:20p/1:20c - Hotel Transylvania 2

4:25p/3:25c - Maleficent

6:30p/5:30c - Beetlejuice

8:35p/7:35c - Hocus Pocus

10:45p/9:45c - Ghostbusters (2016)

Week of Oct. 3

Brian Guerrero

Monday, Oct. 3

1:00p/12:00c - Freeform Premiere Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)

3:00p/2:00c - Ghostbusters (1984)

5:30p/4:30c - Ghostbusters II

8:00p/7:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Tuesday, Oct. 4

11:30a/10:30c - Ghostbusters (1984)

2:00p/1:00c - Ghostbusters II

4:30p/3:30c - Edward ScissorHands

7:00p/6:00c - Maleficent

9:00p/8:00c - Hocus Pocus

12:00a/11:00c - Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

 

Wednesday, Oct. 5

12:00p/11:00c - Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

2:00p/1:00c - Madagascar

4:00p/3:00c - Hotel Transylvania

6:00p/5:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

8:00p/7:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Thursday, Oct. 6

11:00a/10:00c - Madagascar

1:00p/12:00c - Hotel Transylvania

3:00p/2:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

5:00p/4:00c - Shrek Forever After

7:00p/6:00c - Halloweentown

9:00p/8:00c - Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Friday, Oct. 7

10:30a/9:30c - Scared Shrekless

11:00a/10:00c - Shrek Forever After

1:00p/12:00c - 11:00p/10:00c - Family Guy

12:00a/11:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

 

Saturday, Oct. 8

7:00a/6:00c - Decorating Disney: Halloween Magic

8:00a/7:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

10:00a/9:00c - Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

12:05a/11:05c - Ghostbusters (1984)

2:35p/1:35c - Ghostbusters II

5:05p/4:05c - Beetlejuice

7:10p/6:10c - Hocus Pocus

9:20p/8:20c - Maleficent

11:25p/10:25c - Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

 

Sunday, Oct. 9

7:00a/6:00c - Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins

7:30a/6:30c - Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

9:35a/8:35c - Ghostbusters (1984)

12:05a/11:05c - Ghostbusters II

2:40p/1:40c - Beetlejuice

4:45p/3:45c - Hocus Pocus

6:55p/5:55c - Freeform Premiere Get Out

9:25p/8:25c - Freeform Premiere Halloween (2018)

11:55p/10:55c - Freeform Premiere A Quiet Place

Week of Oct. 10

IMDB

Monday, Oct. 10

11:30a/10:30c - A Quiet Place

1:40p/12:40c - Get Out

4:15p/3:15c - Halloween (2018)

6:50p/5:50c - Freeform Premiere Happy Death Day

9:25p/8:25c - Freeform Premiere Happy Death Day 2U

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Tuesday, Oct. 11

12:30p/11:30c - Maleficent

2:30p/1:30c - The House with a Clock in its Walls

5:00p/4:00c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

7:00p/6:00c - Hotel Transylvania

9:00p/8:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes
 

Wednesday, Oct. 12

10:30a/9:30c - The House with a Clock in its Walls

1:00p/12:00c - Hotel Transylvania

3:00p/2:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

5:00p/4:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

8:00p/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes
 

Thursday, Oct. 13

10:30p/9:30c - Frankenweenie (2012)

12:30p/11:30c - Edward Scissorhands

3:00p/2:00c - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

6:00p/5:00c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

7:30p/6:30c - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

9:00p/8:00c - Beetlejuice

12:00a/11:00c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

 

Friday, Oct. 14

10:30a/9:30c - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

1:30p/12:00c - 5:00p/4:00c - Family Guy

5:00p/4:00c - Beetlejuice

7:00p/6:00c - 11:00p/10:00c - Family Guy

12:00a/11:00c - 2:00a/1:00c - Family Guy

 

Saturday, Oct. 15

7:00a/6:00c - Hook

10:15a/9:15c - How to Train Your Dragon 2

12:25p/11:25c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

2:25p/1:25c - Toy Story of TERROR!

2:55p/1:55c - Scared Shrekless

3:25p/2:25c - Shrek Forever After

5:30p/4:30c - Hocus Pocus

7:40p/6:40c - Hotel Transylvania

9:45p/8:45c - Hotel Transylvania 2

11:50p/10:50c - Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

 

Sunday, Oct. 16

7:00a/6:00c - How to Train Your Dragon 2

9:10a/8:10c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

10:45a/9:45c - Scared Shrekless

11:15a/10:15c - Shrek Forever After

1:20p/12:20c - Hotel Transylvania

3:25p/2:25c - Hotel Transylvania 2

5:30p/4:30c - Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

7:40p/6:40c - Hocus Pocus

9:50p/8:50c - Maleficent

11:55p/10:55c - The Witches

Week of Oct. 17

iStock

Monday, Oct. 17

12:00p/11:00c - Ghostbusters (1984)

2:30p/1:30c - Ghostbusters II

5:05p/4:05c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

Pop 'N Knowledge Double Feature

7:10p/6:10c - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

8:50p/7:50c - Hocus Pocus

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Tuesday, Oct. 18

10:30a/9:30c - Ghostbusters (1984)

1:00p/12:00c - Ghostbusters II

3:30p/2:30c - Fright Night (2011)

6:00p/5:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

Pop 'N Knowledge 

9:00p/8:00c - Beetlejuice

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Wednesday, Oct. 19

10:30a/9:30c - Fright Night (2011)

1:00p/12:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

4:00p/3:00c - Maleficent

6:00p/5:00c - Beetlejuice

8:00p/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Thursday, Oct. 20

11:00a/10:00c - The Witches (1990)

1:00p/12:00c - Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

3:00p/2:00c - Halloweentown

5:00p/4:00c - Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge

7:00p/6:00c - Hotel Transylvania

9:00p/8:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

12:00a/11:00c - The Witches (1990)

 

Friday, Oct. 21

10:30a/9:30c - 5:00p/4:00c - Family Guy

5:00p/4:00c - Hotel Transylvania

7:00p/6:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

9:00p/8:00c - 11:00p/10:00c - Family Guy

12:00a/11:00c - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

 

Saturday, Oct. 22

7:00a/6:00c - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

9:00a/8:00c - Maleficent

11:00a/10:00c - Ghostbusters (1984)

1:30p/12:30c - Ghostbusters II

4:00p/3:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

7:15p/6:15c - Beetlejuice

9:20p/8:20c - Hocus Pocus

11:30p/10:30c - The House with a Clock in its Walls

 

Sunday Oct. 23

7:00a/6:00c - The House with a Clock in its Walls

9:30a/8:30c - Ghostbusters (1984)

12:00p/11:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

3:10p/2:10c - Beetlejuice

5:15p/4:15c - Hocus Pocus

7:25p/6:25c - Monsters, Inc.

9:30p/8:30c - Monsters University

12:00a/11:00c - Shrek Forever After

Week of Oct. 24

Four kids celebrate Halloween with jack-o-lanterns and Halloween jokes for kids
iStock

Monday, Oct. 24

12:00p/11:00c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

2:00p/1:00c - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

5:00p/4:00c - Shrek Forever After

7:00p/6:00c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

9:00p/8:00c - Maleficent

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Tuesday, Oct. 25

10:30a/9:30c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

12:00p/11:00c - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

3:00p/2:00c - Halloweentown

5:00p/4:00c - Hotel Transylvania

7:00p/6:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

9:00p/8:00c - Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Wednesday, Oct. 26

12:00p/11:00c - Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge

2:00p/1:00c - Hotel Transylvania

4:00p/3:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

6:00p/5:00c - Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

8:00p/7:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Thursday, Oct. 27

11:00a/10:00c - Ready or Not

1:00p/12:00c - Maleficent

3:00p/2:00c - Ghostbusters (1984)

5:30p/4:30c - Ghostbusters II

8:00p/7:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

12:00a/11:00c - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

 

Friday, Oct. 28

10:30a/9:30c - Ghostbusters (2016)

1:30p/12:30c - 11:00p/10:00c - Family Guy

12:00a/11:00c - 2:00a/1:00c - The Office

 

Saturday, Oct. 29

7:00a/6:00c - How to Train Your Dragon 2

9:10a/8:10c - Edward Scissorhands

11:40a/10:40c - Frankenweenie (2012)

1:40p/12:40c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

3:35p/2:35c - Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

5:40p/4:40c - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

7:20p/6:20c - Hotel Transylvania

9:25p/8:25c - Hocus Pocus

11:35p/10:35c - Ghostbusters II

 

Sunday, Oct. 30

7:00a/6:00c - The Witches (1990)

9:05a/8:05c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

10:45p/9:45c - Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

12:50p/11:50c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

2:55p/1:55c - Hotel Transylvania

5:00p/4:00c - Beetlejuice

7:05p/6:05c - Hocus Pocus

9:15p/8:15c - Maleficent

11:20p/10:20c - Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

Week of Oct. 31

Canva

Monday, Oct. 31

10:30p/9:30c - Ghostbusters (1984)

1:00p/12:00c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

3:00p/2:00c - Beetlejuice

5:00p/4:00c - Maleficent

7:00p/6:00c - Hotel Transylvania

9:00p/8:00c - Hocus Pocus

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

 

I was talking to a mom the other day—let’s call her Beth—who shared with me a daycare horror story. Beth put her daughter in a daycare near her home that looked quaint. As a new mom, she didn’t know any other parents who had sent their children there but she was in a crunch to find childcare before she returned to work and this place was affordable, convenient, and had an opening. Within a few weeks of her daughter starting at the daycare she saw some red flags—one day she picked her child up with a dirty diaper, other days her child seemed excessively hungry, and sometimes the childcare provider was not forthcoming with details about her daughter’s day.

Ultimately she decided to take a costly leave of absence from work and figure out a better childcare situation. She later found out that there had been complaints filed against the daycare and their license was in the process of being suspended. She felt fortunate she intervened when she did and had the means to take a leave from work. She asked me how parents prevent these situations from happening in the first place.

Finding high-quality childcare is top of mind for working parents and it’s not easy to figure out how to navigate the process, especially as a new parent. But you don’t have to leave the situation up to chance and prayer.

Here are five things you can do as a parent to empower yourself and ensure you’re placing your child in a safe and loving environment.

Get parental approval

If you don’t know parents first-hand that have sent their children to a daycare provider, then ask the provider for references and call them. The more information on a facility or individual, the more comfortable you will feel leaving your children in their care. My company, Winnie, recently compiled a free database of every daycare and preschool, starting with San Francisco where you can get information about the provider, reviews from parents and other critical safety info like the adult to child ratio. We did this because we want to equip parents with the information they need to ensure their child’s well-being and make life easier for working moms & dads.

Check the licensing database

Did you know that there’s a licensing database when you can find information about all licensed daycares and preschools in the United States? If it’s a daycare, even an in-home provider, look at the licensing database. All licensed daycares and preschools are inspected regularly and these inspections are public information. You can also see if any complaints have been filed against the school and even subscribe to updates in case their licensing status changes.

Visit and ask questions

Ask to visit the provider, ideally while children are present. This will give you a feel for their st‌yle and if it jibes with yours. Ask questions to understand how the provider communicates with parents, what the physical environment is like (e.g. is it childproofed? Is it clean?) and what children do as a day-to-day routine.

Check their safety procedures

One thing that’s very predictable about children is that they are unpredictable. Accidents and emergencies happen so you want to ensure your provider is trained and prepared for the worst. Check the basics like training in first aid and CPR but also understand their policies around illness, evacuation procedures, and vaccines. Finally, you’ll want to really understand their philosophy around discipline. The most important thing for a childcare provider is that they have lots of patience and never resort to harsh language or violence with your child.

Trust your gut

Even if everything looks great on paper and checks out, you have to trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right to you, you need to act like Beth did and pull your child out of the daycare until you sort the situation out. Beth didn’t have a lot of information to go on at the time, but she acted swiftly and prevented the situation from getting worse.

Short mom to tall kids. CEO and co-founder of Winnie, a leading marketplace for daycare and preschool helping millions of parents across the United States. Still getting the gist of this whole parenting thing.

As I work to raise my kids, I often think back to my mid-20s when I started entertaining the idea of ever having children.

I remember deciding I would be more of a mentor than a parent. I told myself I would never take any shortcuts. And most hilariously of all, I thought I would never ever allow my child to throw a tantrum.

But most of these ideas came back to bite me when I became a mom. On one occasion, I even found myself standing in the middle of the grocery store, watching in horror as my 3-year-old had a (very loud) public meltdown.

Unfortunately, that was far from the last time something like that happened. But, since then, I have managed to learn about the reasons my kids were having tantrums. And, more importantly, my partner and I found a few good ways of fixing the issue.

What Are Tantrums or Acting Out?

Before I could start looking for ways to prevent my kids from acting out, I had to understand what the concept meant in the first place. According to most sources, it’s an exhibition of improper behavior or unrestrained actions. It’s also usually caused by emotions that have been suppressed or that have not been acknowledged.

Basically, children act out to reduce stress. It’s their way of showing emotions that have previously been hidden. And the best way to prevent it is to address these stressors directly.

The following are the things we focused on while attempting to prevent major tantrums.

1. Their Needs Are Unmet 
When trying to figure out why our older child was acting out, this was the first thing we looked at. After all, don’t we all get a bit cranky when our basic needs aren’t met?

Young children aren’t always capable of voicing their needs. Instead, they act out (like when they need to pee but are shy to tell us.)

We have a couple of strategies in place to prevent tantrums caused by unmet needs:

  • Have a few healthy snacks on hand
  • Make up for missed sleep
  • Have a strict “pee before we leave the house” policy

Of course, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t any mishaps. But at least we’re doing our best to prevent unnecessary stress for everyone in the family.

2. They Are Afraid
Children have fears that they grow out of in time (like monsters or men with beards). These are usually caused by something they have seen, read or heard, and can cause them to act out. When this type of thing happens in our family, our strategy is always to have a conversation around it. First, we try to identify the fear. Then, we do our best to dismantle it.

One of the essential things about addressing tantrums caused by fear is that we have to stop ourselves from dismissing our children’s fears. Yes, they may seem irrational to us. But, for a child, they can be perfectly reasonable.

3. School-Related Stress
One of the more recent episodes in our household just happened to be around my oldest’s exams. At first, I was baffled as to why he would be acting so uncharacteristically. Then, it turned out that his behavior was stress-related.

Children who are ambitious and want to do well in school often get very stressed out about their exams. This, in turn, will cause them to act out at some point. However, they may not even be able to identify exam stress as the cause of their mood. They’ll just know what they feel like without realizing the reason behind their feelings.

When exam season approaches, we’ve found that the best thing to do is attempt to relieve some of the stress our child is experiencing. We try to give him his space, accept that he may have a shorter fuse and try not to add fuel to the fire by asking too many questions about his study habits.

4. Not Understanding Limitations 
With our younger child, the cause of his tantrums rarely seemed to be that he was sleepy or stressed or afraid. Rather, it was that he had to understand the logic behind everything. And if he didn’t, he just wouldn’t obey, and he’d carry on doing his own thing.

With him, our main method of fixing the problems relied on “learning lessons.” If he wanted to do something, it was never enough just to say no. We had to explain the logic behind our rules in a way he could accept.

So the reason for not being allowed to eat chocolate after bedtime wasn’t that mom and dad said so—it was that he had already brushed his teeth and eating food could lead to tooth decay and (potentially) painful visits to the dentist.

5. Being Overcontrolled 
Finally, when our kids throw tantrums or act out, it’s not a bad idea to reflect on whether their behavior is caused by something we’re doing as parents.

Children who feel they are being controlled too much and have no way to assert themselves will often act out. And we parents often run a very tight ship. Or we may simply be imposing expectations that are too high for our kids. When this is the case, they might decide that lying or hiding certain behaviors is the best course of action.

If we find that we are a bit too strict, it’s completely fine to loosen up a bit. After all, perfection is impossible. And expecting it from our children is unfair and stressful—both to them and to us.

Children will be children, and they will naturally act out to test their boundaries and to learn more about life. When they do, attempt to work out the underlying cause of their behavior. Then work on that, as opposed to fixing the mere superficial behaviors.

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Holly Schaeffer is a long-time writer focusing on health, lifest‌yle, and home improvement. Originally from New Jersey, she moved to California to pursue a degree in creative writing. She now spends her days split between writing and raising her two young sons.

To kick off Pride month, former NSYNC member Lance Bass and his husband Michael Turchin had a special announcement to make! They’re expecting boy-girl twins in November with the help of a surrogate. Since the duo is due around Halloween, Bass and Turchin created a humorous horror-inspired video to share the exciting news.

In an interview with People magazine, the dads-to-be revealed they’d been talking about starting a family since they met—and they’ve been together for 10 years. They also said they’d hoped to have two kids and since Turchin is also boy-girl twin, the result is meant to be! The couple shared the reveal video simultaneously on Instagram today, after Bass posted to TikTok early in the afternoon.

After Bass skyrocketed to fame as a member of one of the planet’s most popular boy bands, he revealed he was gay in 2006 and subsequently awarded the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award. He began dating Turchin, an artist, in 2011 and they married in December 2014. Turchin also shared a throwback magazine cover with one of the couple’s wedding shots to his Instagram today, writing “Happy #pridemonth everyone! Don’t let anyone diminish your worth and let that love & light shine bright.”

No question the twins will add plenty of love and light to the lives of Bass and Turchin. Congratulations to the happy couple as they embark on the journey of fatherhood!

––Sarah Shebek

Feature image: Silvia Elizabeth Pangaro / Shutterstock.com

 

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Tabletop game lovers are in for a treat as two of the classics collide! Monopoly Dungeons & Dragons just launched and it’s a new way to play for D&D fans. It features artwork from the popular universe as well as 22 of the infamous monsters as property spaces.

The premise? Traveler and storyteller Volothamp Geddarm is seeking explorers to capture creatures of Forgotten Realms for research purposes. At the same time, you’ll try to accumulate the most riches to come out on top. Look for the Bugbear, Demogorgon, Beholder and many more and try not to be enchanted by the fiery battle at the board’s center.

A few other swaps keep the game on theme: Treasure and Encounter cards replace Chance and Community chest piles. Expeditions and Bases take the place of the houses and hotels. And if you’re looking for railroad spaces, you’ll instead find the Tomb of Horror, Castle Ravenloft and more. Otherwise the Monopoly gameplay holds true, as you accumulate properties for currency and bankrupt your foes.

Designed for family play, Monopoly Dungeons & Dragons is ideal for two to six players ages eight and up. You can buy it now at your local game store for $39.99 or online. Good luck to Dungeon Masters everywhere as a new adventure begins!

—Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of The OP Games

 

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Many many years ago my husband and I signed up for a childbirth class for our first child. I knew nothing about having a baby (he did as he had two daughters from his first marriage) and I wanted to make sure I knew what to expect (insert laughing emoji as birth is totally, completely, and utterly different from what you expect!). I was intending to have a natural birth and have a boy.

That’s not what happened.

Before we finished the courses, I had had an emergency c-section and a girl—for more details you can read all about it here.

So were the classes worth it then? I have 5 good reasons that say yes.

Reason #1: The Friends You Will Make
Annabelle, Tanya, Lisa and I met 22 years ago at a childbirth class. So yes, the class is worth it because I got a group of friends that, 22 years later, I’m still in contact with. We have shared tears, laughter, weddings, divorces, moving houses, moving countries, loss and birth. 

But what if you’re just going to take a one-on-one class? Is it still worth it then? I still say yes.

Reason #2: Childbirth Educators Know How Amazing You Are and Our Job Is to Make You See That Too.
The moment you say that you are pregnant people want to share information with you. It almost feels like a competition to share the worst story so that you are “prepared,” for the “horror,” to come. A childbirth educator has heard all of the stories and can help you see the process of birth in a different, more positive way.

You don’t often hear the amazing stories, the tales of birth being a beautiful golden, euphoric moment and it really can be—the whole thing can be just wonderful. It doesn’t always hurt and it can be the most loving, connecting, and life-affirming time of your life. You can be so empowered and so powerful that your ferocious beauty is mouth-droppingly awesome for all who are lucky enough to see it.

Reason #3: However You Have Your Baby, a Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
I offer classes either as part of a course or a standalone session that covers one aspect such as a c-section. If I had a penny for every time I’ve heard “I’m planning a natural birth—I won’t need the induction class,” I would have a lot of pennies! Very few of us want a c-section or induction but they happen and it is worth it to be prepared for that eventuality.

Why?

Well for example, with an induction you are often confined to the bed for monitoring—how else will you know how to alleviate the sensations that you may feel and to get the baby to come a bit quicker? It’s not lay on the bed and wait, that’s for sure! But in a class, we show you how you can help your body, how to breathe, and hopefully, give you some idea of what to expect and prepare your partner.

Reason #4: Your Support Person May Not Know What to Do!
So some of the questions that I have been asked by partners in childbirth classes: How long will it take? How involved am I? Where can I get a coffee at the hospital? Should I trust her to tell me when she’s ready to head to the hospital? If her waters break in the car will they stain the seats?  When they say they can see the head—what does that mean? How will I know she’s in labor? What can I do once the baby is born? How can I keep her energy levels up? Does it matter if I’m not there all the time?

Partners have the same questions you do and a whole load that you don’t. While you are birthing your baby, they are watching and it can be pretty stressful for some people to look at someone they love going through the sensations of birth. Classes not only tell them what to expect but also give them tools to assist you as well as a better understanding of what exactly their role should be.

Reason #5: The Internet Can Be a Scary Place
The final reason to take a childbirth class is that there is a lot of information out there and not all of it is accurate or positive. It can be an overwhelming place so take your time and make sure that you are getting information that is relevant to you and your partner. Connecting with an individual trained in childbirth can really help you alleviate some of the stress that you may be feeling in the run-up to the big day. Diminishing that fear can help reduce your labor time.

You still may not get the birth that you planned for but hopefully, you will understand the process and with the aid of the education you receive in the class be able to make the best, most informed decision for you and your baby.

This post originally appeared on bahbabelle.net.

I'm certified as a doula, breastfeeding counselor and Lamaze childbirth educator.  I'm British, living in Bahrain in the Middle East for the last 14 years. I have three daughters and I just want to show them that it doesn't matter your age, dreams can be followed. 

A recent poll of 1,000 moms revealed what leading ladies really want for Valentine’s Day––and it’s not about flowers and candy.

The study, conducted by OnePoll with Zulily was all about uncovering what mamas want after the horror that was 2020. It found that the number one “gift” was “me time” and that’s pretty much all it takes to feel loved this V-Day.

photo: Zulily

 

The topic of “me time” arose out of the result that found 55 percent of moms believed they has spent too much time with their partner and needed a break. Nearly 75 percent also believed that it was just as important to spend time apart when in a relationship.

Amidst the pandemic, research also demonstrated that expressions of love have changed, with 33 percent of moms reporting a change in their love language. In fact, brand new love languages have emerged!

The updated languages now include

  • Partner doing household chores: 45%
  • Relaxing but doing own thing in the same room: 41%
  • Cooking a meal: 36%
  • Playing video games: 28%
  • Sending/sharing memes: 27%

Megan Marshall, director of brand marketing for Zulily says“Finding joy in the moment and understanding how to communicate, show love and receive appreciation is always important to all relationships whether it’s with a significant other, ones’ children, or other women in their lives. This is what we’re excited to celebrate this Valentine’s Day.”

No matter what your love language is, the study revealed that almost 80 percent of respondents believed their partners should know their love language, even if theirs differs. Now, about that “me time…”

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: Canva Library

 

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With the amount of time many of us spent in loungewear this year social distancing from friends and family, it’s not surprising that we also spent much of our free time glued to the television. From streaming movies to kiosk rentals, Redbox just released their top rentals of 2020. While there are a few no-brainers that made the list, you may be surprised that there are actually a handful of family-friendly flicks. Read on for the full list and then hop on over to our story all about the best 100 movies kids need to see before they grow up. 

Top 10 Kiosk Rentals (Jan. 1 – Dec. 6, 2020)

1. Joker (Action/Thriller)

2. Jumanji: The Next Level (Action)

3. Gemini Man (Action)

4. Bad Boys For Life (Action)

5. Knives Out (Mystery/Suspense)

6. Ford v Ferrari (Drama)

7. Zombieland: Double Tap (Action)

8. Terminator: Dark Fate (Action)

9. Sonic The Hedgehog (Family)

10. Playing With Fire (Family)

 

Top 10 On Demand Rentals (Jan. 1 – Dec. 6, 2020)

 

1.Jumanji: The Next Level (Action)

4. Bad Boys For Life (Action)

3. Just Mercy (Drama)

4. The Invisible Man (2020) (Horror)

5. Trolls World Tour (Family)

6. Sonic The Hedgehog (Family)

7. Dolittle (Family)

8. Birds of Prey (Action)

9. Joker (Action/Thriller)

10. Knives Out (Mystery/Suspense)

 

—Erin Lem

 

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When I was pregnant, I devoured parenting books.

If it had the words ‘parent’ ‘child’ or ‘frightening’ in the title, I was your target audience. In retrospect, I should have rested up to prepare for the tsunami of horror that was headed my way. At the very least, I should have stopped eating my body weight in cupcakes. I didn’t do either of those things, and I started my parenting journey overwhelmed and 80lbs overweight.  

Now that I am well into this parenting odyssey, as the mother of two teenagers (thoughts and prayers, please), I can’t imagine giving anyone, any kind of advice. Ever. No one can tell you what to do with your particular child because (and brace yourself) no one is you, and no one knows your child as you do. 

And not for nothing, but how could anyone give parenting advice when their child…is still a child? Who knows what the resulting human being will be? It’s like recommending a casserole recipe that you didn’t finish. ‘I cut up some tomatoes and onion. Perfect. Do that.’ What?! It might be tasty, but who knows?! Finish and then talk to me…and even then… please don’t… unless I ask.  

Hitler was an obedient child. Just sayin’.   

I suppose there are tried and true pieces of advice that will always stand the test of time.

1. Don’t hit your kids. Obviously. I mean, do I really have to write that you shouldn’t, either physically or verbally, abuse someone smaller and dependant on you? We all learned that lesson in “The Shawshank Redemption.” 

2. Don’t kill your kid’s spirit. Each child is born with a unique ‘je ne sais quoi.’ Do your best to nurture, not bulldoze, that life force. More ‘Good going, kiddo!’ and less ‘Oy. You’re not leadership material.” 

3. Set a good example. Some days you will fail at this. That’s ok. Get up the next day and fail again. They’ll be fine. 

4. Corn chips or popcorn substitute for veggies at dinner. Naturally.

5. Love, love, and more love.  Nuff’ said.

All good pieces of advice, no? General, useful, and all you need to know.

I’m not implying that people that write parenting advice know nothing. What I’m saying is, if their advice worked for them, that’s great. Amazing. I’m happy for their parenting triumph. Not really… I’m super jealous that they have it all figured out…and wrote A BOOK ABOUT IT! How together are they, anyway? 

In any event, please step to the other side of the planet with your know-how, so I can roll my eyes and figure out what I’m making for dinner.  

Here are just a couple of examples of parenting advice that don’t work for me.

1. Don’t deliver forgotten items. Come on. I can understand if it’s the 13th time your child forgot his/her (fill in the blank) that you may want to put the kibosh on the textbook/lunch/project/ catering service. But, the occasional misstep..why not? Life doesn’t work if we don’t have folks that we can rely on in a pinch. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve leaned on my girlfriends to fill in for my brain holes or had to make a quick dash home to pick up something I forgot. Jeesh. I know they need to learn responsibility, but how about compassion.

2. Don’t wake your teens up in the morning. My dad woke me up in the morning all thru my high school years, and yet, I understood that when I went away to college, I needed to wake myself up. Go figure.

3. Sleep when the baby sleeps. Ugh. I hate it when parents say this. That kind of sleep will never be enough to make up for the missing 27,000 hours you are in the hole. You will be aroused from your deep slumber by a crying baby/toddler. Now, you’re not only feeling tired but also pissy, irritated, and afternoon-nap foggy. Great. For the last time, when your baby sleeps, do a small-ish happy dance and watch Project Runway.  

Unless sleeping works for you.  And then by all means…SLEEP.  Ya see?  No one knows anything. 

So, to conclude, take all advice you hear with a giant grain of salt. What works for someone else might ultimately backfire on you. Look, we’re all struggling out here in parent-land. The terrain is rough, the climate is inhospitable, and the leadership, on its best day, can best be described as ‘meh.’  

But we’re in it together. Stumbling toward the day, we see how our little experiments turned out.  

 

So, if you read something that makes you feel like dirt as a parent, just know…no one knows any more than you do.  

 

They just have a publisher. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm a mom of teenagers.  I cry.  A lot.  I also laugh when I'm too tired to cry.  So basically, I'm always either crying or laughing.  I can find the humor in most everything...except (fill in with whatever you find upsetting).  Just want to make you laugh.