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Top of Mind
Let's talk about Halloween safety
It seems like every year around Halloween, we see think pieces pop up asking, "Is trick-or-treating dying?" and every year, kids still come to our homes asking for candy. While the world outside seems like it's continuously getting scarier, the truth is, you can still trick-or-treat safely... especially if you happen to live in one of these 10 cities.
According to multiple factors, those are the 10 safest cities for trick-or-treaters. The list includes Pembroke Pines, Florida, Yonkers, New York and Frisco, Texas.
But even if your city didn't make the coveted top 10 list, you can still trick-or-treat with ease if you follow this helpful guide put out by the Red Cross. This guide includes tips on making sure your child's costume is safe and visible.
And now, for the not-so-fun part, a pediatric dentist put out a list of the 8 worst Halloween candies for your kids' teeth, and the list includes favorites like Sour Patch Kids, Snickers and Skittles.
The good news? Reese's didn't make the list, so we're pretty sure that means you can eat dozens of them and your teeth will be just fine! Hooray!
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Did You Hear
🗳️ Childcare costs may impact midterm elections
With U.S. full-time childcare topping $13,000 annually, rising costs have become a major driver for voters ahead of upcoming elections. A recent poll shows 64% of Americans support government-subsidized care, prompting candidates on both sides to pitch solutions, from tax credits to universal pre-K. Read more on what they're offering.
📉 U.S. birth rates hit a record low
Fertility rates dropped to a new record low in 2025, driven by a sharp decline in 20-something women having kids. CDC data shows women in their 20s are choosing to delay motherhood or forego children entirely due to rising costs, career focus, and housing uncertainty. Meanwhile, birth rates for women in their late 30s and 40s saw a small boost as more parents are focused on building stability first, which is unfortunately taking longer in today's economy.
Picking your nose is totally normal... if you're a toddler!
From saying "no" to everything to picking their nose with no shame, toddlers are known for having some truly frustrating habits. But according to the experts, there are at least six "frustrating" toddler habits you shouldn't worry about. Most involve them exploring boundaries (like the inside of their nose), asserting independence and making sense of the world. Read about all six habits here.
🚨 A major kids' toothpaste recall just hit
The FDA has issued a Class II recall for over 4.3 million tubes of fluoride toothpaste, including popular kid-themed brands like Crayola, Hot Wheels, and Brush Buddies. Caused by manufacturing deviations at an overseas facility, the recall affects fruit-flavored products with expiration dates through June 2028. While no injuries or illnesses have been reported, parents are advised to discard the impacted products.
📵 States want to ban "extreme" beauty filters
Meta is making changes after facing a number of lawsuits. The company is now working with states to block extreme digital beauty filters for minors, but what counts as extreme?
🥛 Are whole milk baby formulas better?
Not really.
Bites with Kiyah
Carrot cake for breakfast? Hear me out.
I’m not entirely sure who decided carrots belong in salads and side dishes but not breakfast. We’ve been putting them in cake for generations, after all.
Which brings me to Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal.
If you’ve ever had a morning glory muffin, you know the appeal: apples, carrots, cinnamon, nuts, and a little sweetness. This takes all those flavors and bakes them into a pan of oatmeal that’s somewhere between a muffin and a bowl of porridge.
It’s delicious warm from the oven, but equally good reheated the next morning with a spoonful of yogurt or a splash of milk. And unlike a regular bowl of oatmeal, you can cut this into squares and eat it with your hands.
Ingredients:
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1½ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon salt
1½ cups milk (dairy or nondairy)
2 large eggs
⅓ cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 medium carrot, finely grated (about ¾ cup)
1 medium apple, grated or finely chopped
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
¼ cup raisins, optional
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla.
Pour the wet ingredients into the oats, then stir in the grated carrot, apple, nuts, and raisins.
Spread into the prepared baking dish and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the center is set and the top is lightly golden.
Let cool for 5–10 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve warm with yogurt, milk, or a little extra maple syrup.
Make it yours!
Go vegan: Use non-dairy milk, coconut oil, and two flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 5 tablespoons water).
Change the fruit: Swap the apple for grated pear, or add chopped dates instead of raisins.
Make it nut-free: Skip the nuts or replace them with pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
Make it a little more decadent: Add a handful of shredded coconut or a few chocolate chips. Because why not?
Dose of Good
Here’s a Question
What’s your family’s plan for Halloween trick-or-treating this year?
Last week, we asked what age you’d feel comfortable letting your kid play or walk outside in the neighborhood unsupervised, and a little over 50% of you said, "11+" while "Never!" came in a close second. We totally get it.
