Ah, there are those smiling faces we have been waiting to see!

Happy early Halloween from the whole crew over here at OHV! Have you picked out your dashing costume yet or just planning to wing it the night of?! (we see you, ye of little early preparations...and we commend your bravery!)

Alright, now, step right up and let's see what's in store this week:

1. 😰 Easing the parenting purchase anxiety

2. 🤕 Simple suggestion for safe trick or treating

3. 🎃 Halloween movie + menu

4. 🏷 Clip those coupons for Amazon

(All ages)

The Woes of Parental Purchasing 

Okay, shoot me straight here. Are we the only ones that stress at night (and frequently during the day) about products for our children?!

You know what I am talking about. Hours of research looking for the best and safest carseat, safest bed, hypoallergenic formulas, safest blankets (and soft, of course), best skin products, best stroller and blah, blah, blah. 

I mean it's endless, isn't it??

What if, Neo, I presented you with the blue or red pill...(c'mon Matrix movie fans, help me out here).

But seriously, are we really the only parents out there that have fallen prey to the baby business marketing world?!

According to this Atlantic article, it seems there are quite a few of us that are just trying to make the best decision we can when it comes to getting the best and safest (and preferably cheap or at least affordable, you know we love some deals) for our little guys, and it isn't really clear that we are thriving with this high-stakes game. 

Apparently parenting anxieties are at all time highs. Naturally, this makes sense given the plethora of information at your fingertips (not to mention the social media "experts"). 

BUT, fear not my parental researchers. The ACTUAL experts have weighed in and dropped a bombshell against those pesky marketing messages we are hammered.

There is actually not enough research and studies to show that having all of the best, safest, fastest, biggest, smartest, tech-iest (not a word, but it is here) baby gear actually makes any meaningful difference in your little ones overall development. 

The real secret sauce is in the "attention from the caregiver". Yep, it's your love, baby. That's where the developmental magic happens. 

So, there you go. Your love and affection and the time you spend are far more valuable that any product purchase. 

I don't know about you, but I feel much better. Especially because I also know that I am not the only parent that has made a carefully thought out purchase for my kiddos to only have them throw a quick glance and then spend the next 4 hours playing with the box. 

Anyway, if you want a few quick tips to help relieve some of that parenting purchase anxiety, we recommend these general thoughts to help ease the panic:

• Make sure the product meets standard safety guidelines (a requirement for U.S. products) and follow the guidelines for safe sleep.

• Go ahead, read some reviews. But don't stress. Purchase products that will meet your NEEDS and any particular tech requirements. Those extra bells and whistles may not be worth it (remember the marketing play on your parenting worries!).

• Choose products and companies that align with your own personal values.

• If something is super expensive or out of your price range, it's really okay to get a "less fancy" version. However, a little tip we like really love around my house: shop your local re-sale stores and even social media or neighborhood marketplaces. You can find some STEALS and generally clean up is super easy (literally purchased a perfectly functional JEEP style toddler bed off FB Marketplace last night...at an 80% discount from retail 😱).

(All ages)

Safe Spooking

Ah, yes. Halloween is drawing near. 

All of those adorable animals, slick superheroes, and ghastly ghouls are making preparations for the bountiful conquests of a neighborhood near you. All in the name of sweet treats that will likely linger on your kitchen counter well past the holidays (or make it into some other giveaway or school party bags).

Naturally, we felt obligated to pass along a few of our picks for safety in the upcoming trick or treat bonanza. 

• For your little ones (and the brave older ones that may attempt to get way too into their superhero status), make sure the costume material is fire resistant. Wild, I know. But last year, you would be surprised how many people set themselves up in their driveways or on the sidewalks to hand out candy but were huddled around their fire-pits. Let's keep the little ones dressed as their favorite Incredibles character without becoming the flaming version of Jack-Jack. 

• Reflective tape can go a long way. If you are out long after dark, fasten a few pieces of reflective tape to their costume. It will give oncoming vehicles another way to watch out for little ones that may accidentally venture too close to roads and it will be a nice bonus for you to light them up if they get in a crowd (pack a small flashlight with you!).

• Accompany your kiddos or have a responsible chaperon and don't let them enter a stranger's home. I know, it goes without saying. But we said it. It's a wild world we live in and there is not candy bar in the world worth any risk (warning: strict dieting may make even the most astute adults begin to contemplate the odds).

• Tell your littles avoid munching on any candy until you inspect it first. No, I'm not talking about the horror stories we were told as kids (needles in apples and candy bars, etc--although this is something I can never shake from my memory and always have to look for--thanks mom). We mean just to make sure the candy is safe to eat (wrapper intact, choking concerns, and most importantly avoiding food allergies).

Most of all, have fun, take pictures, binge on great chocolate, and enjoy the magic of Halloween!

Just for Giggles 😆

If you can't relate to these tweets, you can't sit with us (totally kidding, please stay 😬).

We feel you on that one...nothing like a nice brownish, rainbow blob of play-doh. 

Hahahahaha *deep breath* hahahaha......because same.

Bring on the yum! 😋

Halloween is finally upon us, friends! We're sure you're busy planning all of the cutest costumes, the best places to trick or treat, and how much candy you can swipe after the kiddos go to bed (it's called candy tax!). Let us help you where we can, after all this is what we're here for!

Now, we can't map out your trick or treating routes (you know which houses hand out the full size candy bars, right?), but what we can help with is another easy meal. How about this go 'round we make it Halloween movie night style? The kids will love these! 

Deals, steals, and money-saving thrills 🤑

Alright, alright. Amazon coupons for the win this week!

✅ 15% off Star Projectors. Early Christmas shopping, anyone?

✅ $5 off coupon on these Pure Enrichment humidifiers! Just in time for all of those little stuffy noses!

✅ $2 off coupon for Pampers wipes. Can you really have enough of these??

Say what?! 📣

Random finds from across the web to satisfy your non-parenting knowledge thirst!

• The Wheels on The Bike Go Round and Round! Adults are organizing and leading groups of kids on their bikes to school every morning. Exercising and saving the environment? Love it.

• Around the world in 91 days? California native, Cyril Derreumaux, kayaked from California to Hawaii in 91 days. In case you don't know, that is 2,400 miles...in a kayak...wow. We're impressed Mr. Derreumaux.

• Guess Who's Back, Back Again? Boo buckets are officially back at McDonald's until the end of the month. Some of the OHV crew snagged a McBoo (aka: the cool ghostly white version)! Did you snag one yet?

• Hold up, frozen people and animals are real?! Yep, well over 200 of them to be exact. This Arizona facility is all in on cryogenics. Not sure if we should be excited about the future or nervous about an accidental Halloween release. Either way, we suspect this crew is pretty chill.

Questions for the Crew! 😎

'fess up. What are the kiddos going as for Halloween?:

• Let's see. The oldest one wanted to be "something spooky" so we settled for a less than horrifying skeleton mask. The little ones? Yeah, we are totally just going to wing it. Stay tuned! 👀 - Z and I

• My little dude is rolling out as Chase from Paw Patrol (Chase is on the case! IYKYK) complete with a cute hat and detachable doggie tail. Man, he's going to be so cute (said every parent everywhere)! Happy Halloween, friends!- J

How did we do?! 🤔

Lastly, we want to know what you think about the newsletter! If you loved it, we would appreciate it if you shared it with friends and on social media. We made convenient social sharing links at the top of the newsletter to make it super easy!

But seriously, give us the good, the bad, the ugly, and how we can improve to make sure we are giving you the best product possible. 

Just click "reply" from your inbox and your feedback will come straight to me.

I promise to respond to everyone.

EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON.

Thank you again for subscribing and we can't wait to hear from you!

TTFN! (that's "ta-ta for now" for any of you non-Winnie the Pooh fans)