After the absolute scorcher of a summer we had, I cannot wait for fall weather. I know I am not alone in this either. Just this morning I walked outside and there was a tiny hint of possible coolness. I was absolutely giddy! Even my dogs seemed to have a little extra pep in their step. There is so much I love about this season, like the milder weather, long sleeved t-shirts, boots, buying pumpkins in all different shapes, colors and sizes and how the sun starts to cast a more golden hue in the early mornings and late afternoons.
Autumn also brings with it a lot of activity. On top of the already exciting fall sports we have fall festivals, fairs, pumpkin patches, trunk-or-treats and so many other events for families to enjoy together. So much so that we have dedicated an entire section of this month’s issue to sharing these events with you! The Fall Festival Guide is a perfect place to start planning your family outings. Don’t stop there though. Make sure you also flip over to the Family Calendar for even more local events.
Maybe you are like me and love to host events. If throwing an awesome Halloween party is on your docket then you will definitely want to check out Cherie Gough’s feature in this issue, FaBOOlous Fun for Everyone: Halloween Gatherings that Impress. The great news about her ideas is not only will they work for small or large gatherings, but for most ages too! If your group loves to dress up in costumes, even better!
One of the tough parts of Halloween is what to do with all those treats! It is certainly reasonable (and probably smart) to set a limit on the allowed candy consumption. Make sure to express it as a “health” issue, not a “weight” issue. Kids are smart and very intuitive so if you are making it a weight conversation, they will pick up on it. However, having a healthy diet is more than appearance. It is about the way you feel, perform in school, etc. As Lita Chatham discusses in her feature Cultivating a Positive Body Image for Healthy, Confident Kids, we need to refocus the conversation that media is having with our kids when it comes to body image.
Once you decide an appropriate amount of candy (including the amount us parents sneak out after they go to sleep) you will probably still have candy left over. Did you know there are places you can donate your unwrapped candy? A quick Google search will lead you in the right direction. Some Ronald McDonald houses will accept donations, there is a Halloween Candy Buy Back program some dentists participate in, also a program called Treats for Troops, and you can check with local food pantries and retirement/nursing homes. This makes trick-or-treating even more special when you can do something fun with the goodies after!
I hope you find fun and exciting things in this month’s issue to get you all pumpkin-spiced up and ready for a Happy Fall Y’all!
Author: Lynn Knighton
Lynn has called the Mobile Bay area home since 2006 with her husband Brad and their 3 daughters. Following the sale of her Abrakadoodle franchise, Lynn still wanted to serve families and help them thrive. Becoming the Publisher of Mobile Bay Parents was the perfect opportunity. Now she invests into family's lives each month by providing the with the area's #1 go-to resource for moms and dads.
