"Find comfort in the chaos."
Morning, Mom! It's Monday, so grab that coffee and let's do this. We’re in the midst of October, which means two things: pumpkins everywhere and the quest for Halloween fun that won't scar the kiddos for life.
Today’s Mommy scoop:
👻 14 Halloween movies your kids will love
🍁 Baked pumpkin oatmeal
🖥️ DIY digital prints to make & sell
Start your own newsletter and turn your passions into paychecks.
Holiday Hoopla
14 Freaky Halloween Movies to Watch with Kids
Fall season means cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice everything, and the thrill of Halloween movies that the whole family can enjoy.
So, if you're looking to turn your living room into a home-theater full of ghouls and giggles, you're in for a treat (or trick)!
Hocus Pocus 2
Millennial parents, buckle up! Hocus Pocus 2 is a cauldron of nostalgia, spiced up with girl power and kid-friendly one-liners. Plus, there's even a magic book that's alive—talk about teaching your kids the love of reading, right?
Beetlejuice
Tired of unwelcome pests? Get a load of Beetlejuice! The film is quirky, edgy, and honestly, it might make you feel better about your own home-ownership struggles.
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein
Meet Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman, with Abbott & Costello as your hilariously clueless guides. Let's just say this is one baggage-handling job that doesn't come with insurance.
Animaniacs: Spooky Stuff
Expect sarcasm and slapstick humor in spades! Whether your kids recognize the Count from Sesame Street or not, it's a hoot!
Casper and Casper Meets Wendy
These films prove that ghosts and witches can get along—maybe a lesson there for siblings? Plus, these ghosts seem to have better luck with girls than most middle school boys.
Ghostbusters
Talk about "Old Testament" action in the Big Apple! Who you gonna call? The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man isn't gonna bust himself!
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
The next-gen Ghostbusters are here, mixing old thrills with new chills. This franchise isn't getting slimed anytime soon.
Hocus Pocus
Before there was a sequel, there was the original! It's family-friendly fun with enough one-liners to get you through an evening of trick-or-treating.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Life's full of disappointments, like finding a rock in your Halloween sack. This classic film offers comfort, nostalgia, and the age-old lesson of holding onto hope.
Super Monsters
Finally, a show about monsters "modeling positive behavior"! Think Sesame Street, but spookier, and without the alphabet.
The Little Vampire
Who knew vampires could be so ... neighborly? Flying sequences with vampire cows? This one is a must-see, really.
Poltergeist
Let's put it this way: Your kids won't leave the lights off after watching this one. You've been warned.
The Witches
Anjelica Huston as the Grand High Witch is everything. Trust us, you'll never look at chocolate the same way again.
The Worst Witch
It's Hogwarts before Hogwarts was a thing! For any kid who's ever felt a little out of place, Mildred’s antics offer up confidence in spades.
Final Thoughts
14 movies to add a sprinkle of spook and a dash of delight to your family movie nights this October.
So grab the popcorn and the candy corn, and remember, if there's a sudden sleepover in your bed afterward, well, that’s just another kind of family bonding! 🎃👻🍿
See all movies here.
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I'm using Beehiiv for this very newsletter, and I can't recommend it enough for its ease of use and mom-friendly features.
Mom's Mic: This Week’s Poll 🎤
What's your favorite go-to activity on a rainy day?
Poll Results From 10/11
What's your strategy for when your child struggles with homework?
🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ Help them myself (42%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Hire a tutor (7%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Encourage them to ask the teacher (5%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Guide them to find solutions online (0%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 My kids don't have homework (46%)
Featured Response 💬
“Our school, the elementary school anyway (have a second and third grader) doesn’t send home homework other than reading for a little bit each night. Most of the teachers agree that home time should be home time and school work should be done at school. Kids need a break. And honestly, I love that. Our children go to school for 40 hours a week. That’s a full time job. We, as adults, don’t want to bring home more work after working 40 hours on site. And we’re adults. We shouldn’t expect our children to do it either.”
Yes! After a full day at school, kids deserve to just be kids at home, not keep grinding through more work. -Danielle 😊
Mom’s Menu
Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal 🎃🍁
Source: superhealthykids
This Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal will be your breakfast fairy godmother.
It’s a slice-and-go option full of cozy autumn vibes and it’s toddler-tested, mother-approved.
You won’t have to play the "Just eat one bite, please!" game.
❤ Why You’ll Love It:
🍂 Full of autumn flavors like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg!
🥣 Easy to make ahead for a quick breakfast all week.
📝 Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
15-ounce can of pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional, but gives that extra crunch!)
👩🍳 Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grab your favorite 8×8 square baking dish, and spray it with a little cooking magic (cooking spray).
In one bowl, mix rolled oats, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt.
In a different bowl, let's do the wet stuff: pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, maple syrup, and milk. Stir until it’s one big happy family.
Add your dry ingredients into the wet mix. Blend it all together.
Pour the mixture into your greased baking dish and spread it like you spread love—everywhere and evenly.
Feeling nutty? Sprinkle some pecans on top.
Bake for 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it's done when it starts to separate from the edges.
Let it cool for 20 minutes. Patience, Mama, patience!
Serve warm with Greek yogurt or a dollop of whipped cream, because you're fancy.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Source: superhealthykids
📌 Note:
If you need some tweaks, you can sub in honey for maple syrup or almond milk for regular milk.
Storing more for later? Freeze these babies and thaw them when ready. They keep in the freezer for up to 3 months!
You might just become the "cool mom" in the neighborhood!
Full recipe here.
Daily DIY (Mom Side Hustle)
Digital Prints (Make & Sell)
cassiescroggins
Digital prints are practically the easiest things to sell on Etsy. (How-to here)
Create once, sell infinite times—that’s the beauty of it!
No need for fancy software; a free design site like Canva will do.
Just make sure your designs are original and you’re all set.
Mom’s Choice
Ladies, the hospital gown they give you is a fashion crime. Plus, it never stays put!
This gown is like the yoga pants of the labor and delivery world. Snug, stretchy, and stylish.
You get to be comfy and maintain your dignity. What's not to love?
It's got snaps in all the right places for skin-to-skin or breastfeeding. 🤱
Mom Delivery and Nursing Gown
Comfy Chic: With super-soft, stretchy jersey material, you’ll almost forget you’re in labor. Almost.
Easy Access: Skin-to-skin, nursing, epidurals - this gown's snaps have got you covered.
Full Back-Closure: Ever tried walking the hospital hallways, clutching a flappy gown and pretending you're not mooning everyone? Yeah, not fun.
Game
Parenting Pop Quiz
What is the primary ingredient in most diaper rash creams?
(Answer below)
A) Aloe Vera
B) Zinc Oxide
C) Calamine
D) Coconut Oil
Mom’s Meme 🤣
Answer
B) Zinc Oxide
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Use code THEMOMMY for a little treat. 😊