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🎃 Halloween is just days away, and my kids are all set to channel their inner Star Wars characters—Princess Leia and Obi-Wan Kenobi, to be exact. While we’re gearing up for a night of candy and costumes, my husband is already counting down the minutes until the last trick-or-treater rings the doorbell, eager to kick off the Christmas decorating. Anyone else caught between spooky season and holiday prep?

• Clutter Be Gone: 10 Tips to Keep Your Space Tidy and Your Sanity Intact

• Building Bookworms: The Secret to Raising Avid Readers

• Treats, Tricks, and Tactics: How To Manage the Sweet Side of Halloween

HOME

Clutter control.

Let’s face it: clutter happens. But with a few proactive moves, you can stop it before it starts and create a more organized, zen-like home. Here are 10 practical tips to prevent clutter from taking over.

1. Cancel subscriptions you don't use – Whether it’s a streaming service or a magazine, hit cancel and say goodbye to the extra stuff piling up.

2. Say no to free stuff – Freebies often lead to unnecessary clutter. If you don’t need it, don’t take it!

3. One-in, one-out rule – For every new item you bring in, let one go. Feeling bold? Try the one-in, three-out rule for even less clutter.

4. Designate a home landing zone – Set up a surface near your entryway with a bowl for keys, a tray for mail, and a wastebasket. Bye-bye, random piles!

5. Set up a donation bin – Keep a small donation bin in your closet. When it’s full, drop it off at a thrift store and keep your closet fresh.

6. Store reusable bags in the car – Tired of grocery bags taking over your kitchen? Move them to the trunk and reclaim that shelf space.

7. Unsubscribe from emails – Digital clutter counts, too! Cut back on email spam to keep your inbox neat.

8. Sort mail as it arrives – Keep, recycle, or shred. Don’t let papers stack up on countertops.

9. Buy ‘just right’ storage containers – Only buy containers once you know what you need to store. Don’t let oversized bins hold things you don’t need.

10. Say goodbye to catalogs – Cancel those catalogs to reduce incoming paper piles.

Decluttering is a marathon, not a sprint. By building these simple habits into your routine, you’ll keep clutter at bay and enjoy a cleaner, more organized home!

PARENTING

Turning pages.

Want to raise a reader? It’s simpler than you think. Kids love routines, and a daily reading ritual is a top tip for sparking that lifelong love for books. Whether it’s flipping through a cereal box or diving into a bedtime story, consistency is key.

Try these tips:

1. Make reading an adventure. Start traditions beyond bedtime stories—think family read-aloud night or gifting a special birthday book each year.

2. Talk the talk. The more you chat, the more you build vocabulary. Open-ended questions like “What do you think will happen next?” spark curiosity and conversation.

3. Lead by example. Kids are pros at mimicking adults. Show them your love for reading, and they’ll want to join in. (Tip: Talking about what you’re reading ups the cool factor.)

4. Let them choose. From stories about space to silly animal tales, let kids explore topics they love. And remember, a reading-rich home—with cozy spots and books within arm’s reach—makes all the difference.

5. Grab a book on the go. Stash books in your bag or download some eBooks for travel time. Waiting for an appointment? A quick read keeps kids entertained and engaged.

And if your child needs a little boost, don’t sweat it! Audiobooks can double as a reading buddy, and early intervention can work wonders for struggling readers. Reach out to teachers for resources, or check out apps that make learning to read as easy as swiping a screen.

For more on the best reading apps of 2024, check out this roundup of parent-approved tools.

TRENDING

SNIPPETS

Are you ready for a 22% rise in car insurance?

This purported increase is driven by inflation, costly repairs, and more weather-related claims, with the average premium expected to reach $2,469 by year-end.

To mitigate costs, drivers are encouraged to regularly shop for insurance and explore discounts.

View Money’s Best Car Insurance list to shop around and see if you can save.

SHOP AROUND

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE

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🗳️ Election stress? Check out these expert tips to keep your anxiety at bay.

👶 Boredom alert! Here are the 5 best responses for when your kid says, “I’m bored.”

🍂 Fall feels different. Here’s why 60 degrees in autumn hits differently than in spring!

Candy control.

Halloween is a time for spooky fun and, of course, candy galore! But how can parents manage the candy overload without the usual sugar rush? Here’s the scoop from pediatric feeding expert, Britt.

First things first: Set boundaries ahead of time. Let the kiddos indulge on Halloween night, then implement limits like one or two pieces daily until it’s gone. Create a deadline, too—maybe until November 15 if their stash is massive.

Before trick-or-treating, serve a nutritious meal packed with protein and fiber. Think brown rice, veggies, or whole-grain pasta to keep those sugar spikes at bay.

And let’s not forget the parent tax! Snag a few goodies for yourself while weeding out any unsafe candies for younger children.

Lastly, consider enjoying leftover candy with meals instead of as a reward. This normalizes all foods and can turn Halloween into a fun learning experience.

Make memories and enjoy the holiday! 🎃

Hey Mom Squad! ❤️

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