Hilarious Halloween parenting memes and all that candy are only two things we love about October

Your kids have chosen their Halloween costumes (and then changed their minds 1,000 times), the candy has been bought and then restocked and then restocked again, and you’ve lined up all the best Halloween movies on Netflix. Now that you’re ready for the big night, it’s time to grab a mini-Snickers, relax, and laugh at these hilarious Halloween memes about parenting we’re sure you can relate to.

No judgment from us.

Must. Practice. Restraint.

One must always cover one’s tracks

Who’s in charge here??

When it comes to holiday decorations, reason goes out the window

I haven’t had my coffee. Don’t mess with me

 

It’s all about what’s available right now

Related: 41 Hilarious Parenting Memes to Get You Through the Day

This is an emergency!

Funny Halloween meme

And they wonder why we don't want to buy a costume in July

Funny Halloween meme
courtesy Sarcastic Mommy

Hey, no taxation without representation!

funny halloween meme
Someecards

And that's why we unfriended them

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It's just...not...fair!

funny halloween memes

We always tell our kids, "Practice makes perfect" 

funny halloween memes

No, you cannot substitute Bit-O-Honey

funny halloween memes

Wait, does anyone really have a perfect jack-o'-lantern pic?

Funny Halloween meme
Freshly Picked

If this is you, I don't think we can hang out anymore...

Finally, we're on trend!

Someecards

Related: Hilarious Potty Training Memes to Keep You Going when the Going Gets Rough

Guess you didn't get the last text, Fred...

Any red or white will work. Or beer. Just sayin'

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At least we're being honest with ourselves

Kids! They say the darnedest things!

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The good news is, Christmas candy!

How we all got here, pretty much

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And this is how you win parenting, folks

Because reward charts work so well

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Don't even get us started on Christmas

Just modeling good behavior for our kids

Well, that's just despicable!

It's called "Sugar-Induced Memory Loss," it's a thing!

 

 

 

“You are what our family needs”

If there’s ever a group of people who deserve to be called unsung heroes, it has to be teachers. These individuals nurture and care for our kids every day, all while helping them learn the skills to be productive in school and life. May 2-6 is Teacher Appreciation Week, so you may wonder how to say thank you to your kiddo’s teacher. Here are 15 compliments for teachers your family can give out every day.

1. Thank you. Sometimes those two simple words are good enough.

2. You care about your students. Judi Holst, a Language Arts teacher at Rocky Heights Middle School in Colorado, said the best compliment she received from a student was that she genuinely cares for her students’ lives and all the things that involve being in middle school.

3. My kid wants to learn more about XYZ. Nothing excites a teacher more than hearing that a student wants to learn. Have your kiddo verbalize that desire for knowledge. It will make the teacher’s day.

4. My kiddo came home and tried to teach me what they learned in your classGeorge Bartuska, an Engineering/Aerospace teacher at Central Florida Aerospace Academy of Kathleen High School in Florida, said the best compliment he received was from a parent who shared with him not only how much their kid enjoyed his classes, but also how they’ve come home and explained some of the activities or classroom discussions.

5. My kiddo is always excited to come to class. If a teacher knows students are excited to be in school, they realize they’re doing a good job.

6. You are what our family needs. Lynn Thedell, a preschool teacher in San Diego, was told by a parent that her class was exactly what their family needed when they were having a difficult time with their kiddo.

compliments for teachers mean a lot to educators.
iStock

 

7. We appreciate you. You can always say “thank you.” But telling a teacher you appreciate them expresses a different level of gratitude.

8. You helped my kiddo understand this differently. Teaching is not only helping kids understand new concepts, but it’s also helping them reexamine how they think. That recognition is sometimes even more powerful, which is why this is one of our favorite compliments for teachers.

9. Thank you for connecting with my kiddo. According to the National Education Association, the best teachers care about the relational aspect of teaching, along with imparting knowledge. Let them know you recognize the effort they’re making.

10. Thank you for respecting my child as a person. This may seem like a simple idea, but you may be surprised how many kids don’t feel like their teacher has respect for the people they are.

11. You’re a great sub. Shannon Giles, a substitute teacher in Indiana, said receiving that compliment meant the world to her. If you have a favorite substitute, don’t forget to tell them you appreciate them and think they’re awesome too.

12. You make learning fun. Not everyone likes school. If your kiddo is having fun during the day, your teacher is doing something right.

13. Your dedication doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s never been harder to be a teacher in America. Those who teach do it because they truly love to educate. Make sure your teacher knows you understand.

14. You helped my child when I couldn’t. It could be that they got them through a tricky unit. It could be that they were able to help your child see the future. It could be they helped deal with a school bully. As parents, we can’t be there for everything, and it’s important to let other adults know when they’ve helped you out.

15. My kid still talks about your class. Even though teachers may see hundreds of kids throughout their careers, you better believe there’s a place in their hearts for all of them. To know they have a place in your kid’s core memory is a wonderful compliment for teachers.

This might be the easiest dessert you make, ever

Fun dessert alert! Did you know you can whip up your batch of ice cream right at home without any extra appliances? All you need are the right ingredients and plastic bags. Read on for the “scoop” on how to make homemade ice cream in a bag.

Ingredients for Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag:

1 tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup milk (will make about one scoop of ice cream, can sub soy, coconut, or rice milk or use cream)
1/4 tsp. vanilla
6 tbsp. rock salt
1 pint-size plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc)
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes

How to Make Ice Cream at Home:

1. Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt.

2. Seal the bag.

3. Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.

4. Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.

5. Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes.

6. Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully.

Insider Tips:

A 1/2 cup of milk will make about 1 scoop of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more. But don’t increase the proportions more than that—a large amount might be too big for kids to pick up because the ice itself is heavy. This ice cream won’t have quite the same consistency as a pint of store-bought, but you can control the ingredients so that’s a big win.

If there is a milk allergy, try this with fruit juice. Use straight pineapple juice—it’s a terrific fruit sorbet. OR rice/soy milk as the milk substitute.

This recipe for how to make homemade ice cream in a bag is courtesy of Yuumii, an online community founded by a San Francisco family who wanted to come up with creative ways to spend more quality time with their kids.

Related: 15 Sweet Ice Cream Sundae Bar Ideas

 

Strawberry-picking season has officially begun in Los Angeles (the season usually runs from Mar. through Jun.) so it’s time to don your sun hat and make delicious plans for all the juicy fruit you and the kids will be hauling home. Read below to find the best places in LA to pick strawberries near LA, or if you aren’t into doing the picking yourself and just want to pick-up the freshest berries, we’ve got you covered too.

Underwood Family Farms

Underwood Family Farms is the place to go if you are looking for more than strawberry-picking fun. Wagon rides, an animal center, a retail shop filled with goodies like honey and fresh cut flowers, seasonal events, plus the ability to pick some seasonal vegetables along with the sweet stuff makes this destination a fun, full-day outing for most families. Pull wagons (first come, first served) are available to transport your haul from the fields. 

Pro Tip: Check their Instagram page for strawberry picking updates (the opening of the fields were slightly delayed due to cooler temperatures and to allow more fruit to ripen). 

Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m.—6 p.m.
Cost: Weekdays, $7 per person; Weekends, $10; Special pricing on certain weekends. Kids under 2 are free.

Moorpark & Somis Locations
Online: underwoodfamilyfarms.com

Tanaka Farms

Since 1940, Tanaka Farms has been a real working farm and has produced some of the sweetest strawberries in SoCal. This year, they are offering strawberry picking as part of their u-pick wagon rides that includes: a ride around the farm, family fun in the designated play area, the chance to pick strawberries plus one veggie or, if strawberries aren’t available at the time of your arrival, they’ll substitute for three vegetables depending on crop availability, plus a walk through their education exhibition. If your heart is set on strawberries, know that you can always pick up some pre-harvested strawberries (along with other yummy treats like jams and nuts) from the fresh market stand that is open daily.

Pro Tip: Reservations for strawberry picking tours are required. If strawberries are plentiful this season, they will open up berry picking without requiring a tour. Check their Instagram page for the latest updates on crop availability.

Hours: Wagon rides are available 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; The Fresh Produce Market Stand is open daily from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person; kids under 2 are free.

5380 3/4 University Dr.
Irvine
Online: tanakafarms.com

Kenny’s Strawberry Farm
For the past 10 years, Kenny’s has been delivering glorious strawberries to SoCal. Open by reservation this year, don’t forget to save time and space in your belly for a visit to Kenny’s Farm Kitchen for ice cream bars made by DOH Creamery. Check their Instagram page for the latest updates.

Hours: Fri.-Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: $17 for a large bucket; $7 for a small bucket

953 Rainbow Valley Blvd.
Fallbrook
Online: kennysstrawberryfarm.com

Carlsbad Strawberry Company

If you’re up for a drive, Carlsbad has the perfect climate for growing some of the juiciest strawberries around. The Carlsbad Strawberry Company’s u-pick fields are now open and offer a fun way to get out of the house with your family for the day. In addition to picking your own, they also have a sunflower maze, free games, and hay pyramids. 

Hours: Fields and strawberry stands are open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: $5 general admission. $12 for a bucket admits 1 person. Kids under 5 are free.

1050 Cannon Rd.

Terry Berries: Everyone can agree that just-off-the-vine strawberries taste the best but if you can’t pick them yourself, swing by these locations for harvested-for-you berries. Terry’s Berries, an offshoot of Terry’s Farm, is located in Ventura, CA has been doling out strawberries since 2003. To stay up-to-date with availability, join their newsletter and follow their Instagram page.

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (or until sold out); closed Wed. & Sun.

7618 Telephone Rd.
Ventura
Online: terrysberries.com

Thacker Berry Farms: Serving California for over 25 years, this 5-star reviewed strawberry stand has some passionate fans, claiming the juiciest strawberries around. With 10 locations in and around Los Angeles County and North Orange County, you are sure to be close to one of their stands for a quick pick-up. 

Hours: 10 a.m–5:00 p.m.; closed Sun.

Various Locations
Online: thackerberryfarms.com

–Jennifer O’Brien & Andie Huber & Carmen Garcia-Shushtari

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It’s almost Hocus Pocus season––er, Halloween! If your family is a fan of the 90’s cult classic, this new book will up your family movie night.

Ulysses Press is getting ready to drop The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook: Bewitchingly Delicious Recipes for Fans of the Halloween Classic, 28 years after the freaky film debuted. The 60+ collection of recipes boasts must-make meals that bring the film to life, like Mischief Night Pasta and Baked Witch Casserole.

Compiled with recipes from Bridget Thoreson, kids and adults alike will thoroughly enjoy running amok, amok, amok over William’s Wormy Bed Dirt Cake while enjoying your family movie night. Thoreson shares, “While blondies are no substitute for Bette and no cocktail is quite as funny as hearing a young girl humiliate her older brother by saying ‘Yabos,’ I hope you’ll find the recipes and references fun, delicious, and delightfully spooky, and you’ll rewatch the film again and again accompanied by the goodies in this booo-ooooo-ooook.”

The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook: Bewitchingly Delicious Recipes for Fans of the Halloween Classic ($15.99) goes on sale Sept. 7, but you can already pre-order on Amazon.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Ulysses Press

 

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Play mats, activity rugs, whatever you call them, they’re a staple of toy rooms everywhere. They’re great for screen-free entertainment for older kids and provide a few minutes of distraction for the younger set.

Now there’s an even more imaginative option on the market, the IVI 3D Play Carpet. It’s just what it sounds like: a mat with raised features and tactile textures that takes playtime to the next level.

Created by a mom with an architecture background who worried about the effects of screen exposure, the 3D Play Carpet comes in four different styles: beach houses, mini city, farms and playhouse.

Each are incredibly detailed with various sections, like a pool at the beach house and parking strips in the mini city. The 3D technology is patented so it’s the only product of its kind on the market.

The mini city and playhouse have four different sizes to choose from and beach houses and farms have three. The small size starts at $79.99 on the IVI website and the carpets are also sold at other retailers like Amazon.

Fabricated with a wool-like substitute that was approved by the European Child Protection Standards, they’re perfect for kids who struggle with allergies. And they might entice you enough to get down on the floor and play along!

––Sarah Shebek

Images courtesy of IVF 3D Play Carpets

 

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Hello, holidays! To get everyone in the spirit, Nickelodeon is ready to launch Nickmas, an event featuring over 100 hours of seasonal content.

Beginning Thur., Nov. 19, Nickmas will be packed with 21 premieres of Nickelodeon’s live-action, animation and preschool series. Get ready for season two premier of Top ElfThe All-Star Nickmas Spectacular; and all-new episodes  PAW PatrolSantiago of the SeasBlue’s Clues & You!The CasagrandesThe SubstituteAll That, and Danger Force.

When it comes to shining stars this holiday, don’t miss The All-Star Nickmas Spectacular on Sat. Nov. 28 at 9 p.m.This special event features musical performances from Ne-Yo, JoJo Siwa and That Girl Lay Lay. Other celeb appearances will include plenty of Nick stars, Jay Pharoah, Trevor Noah and Young Dylan.

Did we also mentions that you’ll finally be able to catch the premiere of Baby Shark’s Big Show!? Get your fave ear worm back on Fri. Dec. 11 at 12:30 p.m. and watch Baby Shark and his friend William save Fishmas.

Click here for the entire lineup for Nickmas and happy watching!

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Nickelodeon

 

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Teen activists may hold an answer to school shootings.

I say “may” and “an answer” because each shooting is different. There’s no one reason for them.

There is a common denominator. It’s not a mental illness, or divorce, or bullying, or the Internet, or video games, or no prayer in schools or toxic masculinity—though each of those may be a contributing factor in some school shootings.

The common denominator is that school shootings are, well, shootings. Before we address the contributing factors, we must address that.

To do that, we must talk. Negotiate. Problem-solve. Not rant, spout slogans or pass around memes. Not blame mythical “crisis actors.” None of that will help. Let’s discuss what proposed solutions are feasible, practical, and actually helpful.

This time the kids are taking the lead and speaking up. Mandatory suspension means their walkouts may fail, at least if they walkout until Congress does something, as was suggested.

But other students are speaking out in other ways–talking to the media, visiting elected officials and attending sessions of legislative bodies. Encouraging voter registration among their peers.

And you know, these efforts may fail as well. It’s difficult to get your message across when you’re trying to get the attention of people who live and die by ballots, not bullets.

Here’s the thing, though. With the Parkland school shooting, we may have reached a “tipping point” in our society. Even if legislation doesn’t work, as so many say it won’t, there is a force that can catch the nation’s attention: grassroots activism.

I won’t praise the efforts of the 1960s when under-30s protested and helped stop a war, though I surely could. What I want to talk about is an attitudinal change. Societal change. It can happen and it has happened.

Think about the things that used to be commonplace and succumbed to pressure from groups and individuals.

Smoking is a prime example. Despite push-back from tobacco lobbies and cigarette manufacturers, smoking has tapered off in public and in private. Restaurants started with smoke-free seating areas and now in some states are completely smoke-free. Public buildings and many private ones are too. Smoking around young children is particularly looked down on.

Why? People spoke up, including teens (see truth.org). And society reacted. Look at old movies and how many characters in them smoked. Then look at modern movies and notice how few do. It’s almost like someone realized that these characters are representations of our changing society and perhaps role models for kids, even if only subliminally.

And look at drunk driving. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) changed society’s view of drunk drivers and prompted legislative change; for example, getting states to lower the limits for what is considered “impaired,” holding drinking establishments responsible for taking the keys from patrons too wasted to drive, and requiring harsher punishments for repeat offenders.

Non-legislative solutions are having an effect as well–the “Designated Driver” idea and PSAs that say “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.” There are smaller, local efforts too, such as providing free cabs on the holidays associated with over-indulgence.

What happened in both examples was that society reached a tipping point. After so many deaths and so much ill health, individuals and groups decided that the prevailing practice had to change. And change it did.

There are reasons to believe that the Parkland shootings may be that tipping point for change. For the idea that school shootings are not just an everyday reality–or shouldn’t be.

Businesses are cutting ties with the NRA, for one. These are protests that will get attention because they are backed up by dollars.

Sure, many teens (and adults and businesses and lawmakers) will ignore the issue. Even teens succumb to the “it can’t happen here” mentality. But others are saying that it can and does happen anywhere. In elementary schools, where the students are too young to mount effective protests. In colleges, where students should.

And in the surrounding society, people are saying, “Enough already with the thoughts and prayers.” Even sincere ones have changed nothing, and insincere ones substitute for actual change.

Likely the change that is coming will be incremental and slow. And after the tipping point is reached and the mass of everyday Americans demand real answers to school shootings, maybe we can turn to the related factors like acceptance of bullying and the broken mental health care system. Grassroots efforts and public education are key.

But first, let’s listen to the kids. They have the most to lose.

Hi! I'm a freelance writer and editor who writes about education, books, cats and other pets, bipolar disorder, and anything else that interests me. I live in Ohio with my husband and a varying number of cats.

If your baby has allergies or food sensitivities finding the right alternatives may prove difficult. Else’s Plant-Based Toddler Nutrition is the first clean-label minimally-processed, plant-based toddler nutrition drink made with 92% whole-plant ingredients derived from almonds, buckwheat and tapioca. This Israel-based company is providing a real substitute for toddlers with lactose intolerance, sensitivities or other dietary restrictions. 

Else Plant Based Nutrition
41% of toddlers that have food allergies are allergic to cow’s milk. This plant based nutritional formula fills a definite need. Else has been approved by nutritionists and pediatricians. It has also received multiple key certifications including The Clean Label Project, Beyond Soy and Certified Plant-Based. 

Else Plant Based Nutrition
Else also has babies on the brain. The brand is on track to launch the first-ever plant-based infant formula that is free of dairy and soy. Currently going through testing and clinical trials, this formula will mimic the nutritional composition of breast milk. 

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Else Nutrition

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“Alexa, how do I go to a friend house and not germs?” My heart sank. My incredibly resilient, almost-four-year-old had had enough of sheltering in place. I had seen earlier signs of fatigue and didn’t realize it. A couple of weeks ago he had started inviting the entire cast of Paw Patrol over to the house to stay for dinner. Yes, he regularly engages in pretend play, but this was different. He made a big deal over opening the door to the house each time they “came over” and welcoming them in.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on all of us, introverts and extroverts alike. As a people, we are accustomed to doing things when and how we want to do them. No more is this visible than at the preschool age where our children are developmentally just able enough to start grasping what’s going on, but not quite able to understand things on a meaningful level. For our particular preschooler, we broke things down into simple soundbites: there are bad germs in the air; we don’t want to get sick; everybody is staying home as much as they can, so we don’t mix with the bad germs. We can’t visit our friends and they can’t visit us. This worked for the first couple of weeks. The extroverted and socially dynamic child that he is, we found ourselves in a quandary. How do we keep him connected and safe at the same time? Through trial and error, we found some things that are working for us, as usual, your mileage may vary:

1. Arrange a Distance Picnic with Friends. Yes, you can picnic outside with your friends, it just takes a bit of creativity. Here’s where ingenuity is essential. Use your WI-FI connection to have virtual picnics across distances.  

If you don’t have WI-FI, or if your friends are right next door another option is picnicking “across the fence.” Yet another is meeting at a place that’s big enough to allow all of you to be close, but separate. With restrictions easing up, this is now much more doable, and safer. Just please, use your common sense. You cannot take care of your child if you are sick.

2. Teleconferencing Is Not Just for Adults. We’ve had much success setting up one-on-one playdates between our child and his friends via videoconference. Essential for us has been limiting the number of children on the “call.” We’ve found that when there are two or three kids their participation is more natural and they each take turns. The higher the number of kids, the more chaos ensues.   

3. Stay Connected in Different Ways. Have your child draw pictures for their friends and send them by mail. Do the same thing for family members that are not with them. Teach them about the value of sending notes, even if it’s a simple “Hi” that is crudely written, photographed, and texted across the ether.  When reading a story with your child, ask them questions like: “Does this remind you of . . .?” “Wouldn’t your friend like this story too? Keep their friends present by referencing them in your daily interactions.  

4. Get Outside and DistractTake Long, Active Walks in Your Neighborhood. Going for a walk is a wonderful distraction that gets the blood pumping and provides healthy exercise for the whole family. However, I’m not advocating a simple, family walk. There are lots of different types of walks you can take to engage your child. Here are two examples:

  • A Sensory Hunt: Make a list of sensory activities that you can “discover” on your walk throughout the neighborhood. Is there a tree that can be climbed? Is there an airplane/helicopter that can be heard? Are there flowers that can be smelled? Are there rocks/grasses/bricks that can be touched? The possibilities for the list are endless. Have your child explain to you what sense is being used for each object. Not only does it get you outside of the house, but it also gets your mind, and the child’s mind engaged in critical thinking skills.  
  • An Activity Scavenger Hunt: This activity is a hit with our energetic four-year-old and we owe it to his dedicated PE teacher! Make a list of objects to find on the scavenger hunt: a red car, a blue bicycle, etc…Then, make a list of activities you have to do for each object that is found: 5 jumping jacks, 4 knee bends, 3 squats, 4 tumbles, etc.  When the object is found, you engage in the activity. You can also substitute Yoga poses for activities!

I have to be honest, after my son asked Alexa the question, I was hoping against hope that she would answer, taking us off the hook. Of course, she said, “I don’t know what you mean,” and we were left to our own devices. When his dark brown eyes looked towards me for a response, I said, “Honey, I want you to visit with your friends too. And, I promise that when we can do it and make sure everybody stays safe, we will.”  Placated for the moment, he said “Okay,” and rushed to the door to announce that the Paw Patrol would be coming for dinner.

 

 

ALEXANDER FERNÁNDEZ
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Father, children's book critic, writer, judge, director, actor and amature photographer—together with his husband of 25 years—raising an energetic four-year old! "Parent is not just a noun, it's a verb.  If you're ever in doubt as to what to do, substitute the word caregiver.  It will steer you in the right direction."