Ah, we see that you made it back after the neighborhood candy pillaging! Hello and congratulations for surviving!

And just like that, we are full on into November. Where did the year go?!

Anyway, let's get down to business:

1. 🤷🏽‍♂️ Yeah, I'm going to need the dictionary for these new parenting words

2. 🤡 Co-parenting - tough subject but it can't all be rainbows and unicorns

3. 😋 Break out the crock pots!

4. 🏷 Free turkey?!

(All ages)

Can Someone Grab Webster's for Me?!

Am I the only one who seems to find new words to add to my brain's dictionary every day?

Now I realize we humans have always been creative. (sometimes too creative...anyone remember the pet rock? I mean what in the world...)

But it seems like in today's fast paced media world, we are inventing words by the hour. The parenting world has not been spared from this Babylonian explosion.

Quick test - what do you know of "almond mom", "sitter-vising", "snowplow parenting", "sharenting", and "parentification"?!

Yeah, me too. Sweet, Mary and Moses.

If you are a regular of OHV, at least one of these will already be familiar (with plans for more of these to follow, we just haven't had the chance to tap the article bank with them yet!).

Let's help you out with a couple of new ones:

• Crunchy parenting - referring to "more natural parenting", also known as "granola style" (I thought this was when you go for the crunchy peanut butter or accidentally leave the pizza too long in the oven)

• Free-range parenting - promoting independence in children and going against the idea that children need constant protection (some of us may have had a few doses of this growing up in the rural south..."you got yourself into that mess, now you figure out how to get out of it")

In the meantime, check out this article to help make sense of what your most hip parenting pals are spitting out at the playground. (after all, we are here to help make parenting easier AND keep you up with the cool kids)

(All ages)

Is Co-Parenting REALLY Possible?

Divorce sucks and co-parenting is hard.

Tough subject, I know. But hey, it's real and it happens often (which is truly unfortunate).

No one wants to go through those tough situations. It's difficult for you as an adult and as a parent. But it can really be soul crushing to the little guys caught in the middle.

Now look, I'm not a big celeb fan. I do good to keep up with the names, dates, and necessary information that I need to be functional as it is. But I ran across a neat little article here about Anna Faris and Chris Pratt and it gave me hope that people really are working things out to have the best situation for their children (check out the full article and a vid in the link above!)

How nice to see some encouragement, especially from Hollywood! You really can have a functional and even healthy co-parenting system if you are willing to set your feelings aside and put really good systems in place. After all, this is about the kiddos and setting them up for healthy and successful lives.

We also stumbled upon a helpful guide for co-parenting that gives a lot of great tips in managing ourselves and when interacting with the other co-party, plus how to set up mutual, healthy environments and situations for the kids. Peep a few of our favs below:

• Separate your feelings from your behaviors (ooooo, that'll preach right there!)

• Keep your focus on the children and understand they are watching every move and learning how to act from you (we all know the little guys are straight up human sponges!)

• The kids don't work for USPS/UPS/FEDEX...they aren't messengers and shouldn't be used as such

• Don't speak ill of the other parent to your kids (aka the ex...yes, I know, there is a reason they are an ex)

• Try to keep consistent and HEALTHY communication between each other - plan consistent schedules, homework and meal times, events, etc. as much as you can. Good and consistent schedules are generally the most comfortable and healthy for the kiddos.

• If you need it, find a good therapist. This is great advice for you AND the child. (bonus points if you can get the ex to do the same)

We only hit a few highlights so be sure to check out the full article for a ton of great advice!

Just for Giggles 😆

I'm laughing and pretty impressed at the same time over this one! 🤣

Bring on the yum! 😋

This week we're coming at you with some crazy, easy crock pot recipes that will make your week night madness a smidge easier. Pro tip: Throw a crock pot liner in beforehand to make your clean up a breeze!

These two delicious recipes will definitely be worth saving to your Pinterest board, screen grabbing to your camera roll, or writing down in your recipe book. Grab your ingredients (you prob already have most of them on hand), pour them in, and forget about it! That's my kind of dinner 😋

Deals, steals, and money-saving thrills 🤑

We're back again to save that money!

✅ The Krazy Coupon Lady is coming in with some awesome tips on how to score a free (or super cheap) turkey for your Thanksgiving meal! J has personally used the Ibotta tip for two years in a row to score free goodies for Thanksgiving. Don't miss this one!

✅ Love a good coupon haul? Kiersti Torok on Instagram posts some great deals every week from a number of stores and breaks them down so that anyone can do it! Follow her on Instagram at @torok.coupon.hunter.

✅ Walmart starts dropping their Black Friday deals online Monday, November 7th and in stores on Wednesday, November 9th. Check on the preview here, and set your reminders so you don't miss out on the first round of deals! ⏰

Say what?! 📣

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

• Netflix November! Are you excited for anything dropping on Netflix this month? (Manifest Season 4, Part 1..eek!) Check out the list of what's coming here!

• "Goosebumps" Turns 30. The super popular 90's books series turns 30 this year *cue the nostalgia feelings*. Check out how R.L. Stine is celebrating his hit series anniversary (it may or may not include a few books drops!).

• Baked Han Solo? A mother/daughter baking duo out of California took on a huge project..a 6 foot tall project to be exact. Hannalee Pervan and her mother, Catherine Pervan, created a life sized sculpture of Han Solo out of mostly bread. Now that's impressive!

• Art by Arsh! Arsh Pal paints beautiful works of art and sells them for charity. He has sold over $15,000 worth of his artwork to give back to some great charities. Wonderful right? The best part though? Arsh is 12 years old..yep that's right, AND he's been at it for the last 4 years. What an amazing kid. You go, Arsh!

Fun upcoming "National Day of" celebrations:

• 🌮 November 3: National Men Make Dinner Day (don't let them forget ladies!)

• 🍩 November 5: National Donut Day (we know a few OHV kids who will love this one)

• ☀️ November 13: National Take A Hike Day (get outside and enjoy the sunshine)

Questions for the Crew! 😎

Spill it, what's the last thing you watched on tv?

• BAHAH, watch TV she asks?! I don't think I have watched anything except whatever the kiddos have on...I think Inspector Gadget and The Incredibles have been this week's flavor. Oh, wait! I have been able to make it through 1/2 of an episode of Chef's Table- Pizza edition with about 3 attempts. 😆 -Z

• Same boat as above, for sure. I have manage to sneak in a few minutes of Gray's Anatomy after the kids are in bed. I know, dramatic and totally unrealistic, but it's a guilty pleasure! -I

• A forever favorite in this house, The Challenge: Ride or Die. The Challenge is such a classic reality/competition twist. You can't go wrong with it! -J

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