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Kim Kardashian is a very lucky mom. Not only was her 10-year-old daughter North West amenable to donning matching Halloween costumes with her, an impressive feat in and of itself, but she was also willing to go full ‘90s nostalgia with her. And despite having been born years after that era, North totally nailed the attitude when she and her mom dressed as Cher and Dionne from Clueless for Halloween.
The Skims mogul took to Instagram on Tuesday to share her transformation into Alicia Silverstone’s iconic character Cher from the 1995 movie Clueless, alongside daughter North’s spot-on version of Cher’s best friend Dionne, played by Stacey Dash. The mom of four wore Cher’s trademark yellow plaid skirt and blazer, thigh-high socks, and long blonde locks, while North wore Dionne’s signature floral hat along with a black-and-white plaid skirt and blazer combination. Ever with an eye for detail, North even wore her hair in braids like Dionne from the movie.
The mom and daughter did an entire photo shoot as their characters, which should come as a surprise to no one, with Kim doing her best impression of Cher’s “ugh, as if!” attitude and North looking bored and irritated in a perfect imitation as the ultra cool Dionne. They even managed to find a white Jeep to pretend to drive around in, much like the Clueless duo.
Kim’s fans took to Instagram to share their appreciation of the detail that went into the mother/daughter costumes, with many commenting on North’s skills in particular. “Why did Northie EAT in every photo! This is perfection,” wrote one follower. “Y’all literally ate this up,” wrote another.
The Kardashians all seem to be going for pop culture moments with their Halloween costumes this year. Kourtney Kardashian, who is currently nearing the end of her pregnancy with her fourth child, and first with her husband Travis Barker, dressed as Kim Kardashian circa her 2013 Met Gala look in a perfectly meta “Freaky Friday” moment. Kendall and Kylie Jenner paired up to dress as Sugar and Spice from Batman Forever, another deep cut from the ‘90s.
And of course, Kim Kardashian has channeled nostalgia for her Halloween costumes before. In 2019, right around the time she let the world know that she was going to law school, Kim dressed as Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, complete with her Harvard admission video.
Now that she has North on side to be her partner in Halloween costumes, a whole new universe might be opening up to her.
Matthew Perry’s Friends castmates have released a heartbreaking joint statement following the beloved actor’s death on Oct. 28. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer remembered Perry, who played the sarcastic and quick-witted Chandler Bing for all 10 seasons of the hit sitcom, as “family.”
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” the cast said in a joint statement to People two days after Perry’s death. “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss."
“In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world,” the statement concluded.
Perry was found dead in a hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home on Saturday. He was 54. The actor’s his cause of death has been “deferred,” pending additional investigation, specifically a toxicology report, according to CNN. While reports indicate that Perry died in an “apparent drowning,” the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office told CNN that an autopsy has been conducted, but investigators will need the toxicology report, which can take several weeks to complete, to make a ruling.
Perry’s family also released a statement following the actor’s sudden death. “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” Perry’s family said in a statement to People. “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, as well as Friends executive producer and director Kevin Bright remembered Perry as “a brilliant talent” who was “always the funniest person in the room.”
“We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing. It still seems impossible,” Kauffman, Crane, and Bright said in a statement to Deadline. “All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives. He was a brilliant talent. It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words.”
“From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us,” their statement continued. “We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment — not just to his work, but in life as well. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart. We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken.”
If your kids, like mine, can’t get enough of Go, Dog. Go! — a Netflix show inspired by the classic children’s book by PD Eastman — you may be excited to know that Season 4 is right around the corner. Even if you and your family enjoy a rewatch, by the 800th viewing, some of the plot lines might start to feel, well, ready for a shake up. So, get the kids jazzed for fresh materiel, and plenty of doorbell sounds, because Tag and the whole Pawston crew are coming back on Nov. 27. All of your kid’s favorite, rainbow-hued dogs will be zipping around town, up to new, fun versions of their favorite hijinks in 14 brand-new episodes. Sam Whippet will be looking for a new Crew Chief, and of course Tag is determined to earn the position. There’s going to be a Barkapellas concert in the mix — the “biggest one ever” — and even a “Howl-o-ween” episode to cozy up to.
You can watch the Go, Dog. Go! Season 4 trailer now.
All of the familiar characters and voices that your kids (and maybe even you) adore are back for Season 4, though from the looks of this trailer, the fun, cheerful show is breaking out even bigger vehicles, more songs, and wilder escapades this season.
In Romper’s exclusive look at the Season 4 trailer, you’ll hear Michela Luci as Tag Barker, Callum Shoniker as Scooch Pooch, Tajja Isen as Cheddar Biscuit, Judy Marshak as Grandma Barker, and Patrick McKenna as Grandpaw Barker — all the voices you love, and more. From space flight to mountain races, these team-oriented pups are having more fun than ever in these new episodes, sure to have your kids howling with joy and excitement.
Go, Dog. Go! Season 4 premieres on Netflix on Monday, Nov. 27.
Getting your baby dressed for a chilly day can be a surprisingly difficult task. You want to ensure they aren’t too cold, but you also have to be careful not to get them so bundled up that they overheat. Figuring out how to dress baby for cold temperatures is even more complicated when you’re thinking about their sleepwear, or if you’re planning for a special occasion like Halloween. As daunting as the task may seem, finding the right balance of clothing and blankets, and mastering how to dress your infant for every temperature this winter, is possible. It’s all about choosing the right fabrics and layering up.
“Most adults who are uncomfortable in the cold recognize their child will be as well,” says Dr. Lee Engelbreth, M.D., pediatric hospitalist at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver. “We don’t really see a lot of issues with it [at the hospitals where I work].” What she does frequently see, however, are parents over-dressing their children, causing them to get extremely uncomfortable or overheat.
“Overheating puts babies at an increased risk for SIDS,” says NYC-based pediatrician Dr. Dyan Hes, M.D. “Layering traps the air between the layers and keeps kids warm. If you see that your baby is sweating, you can remove a layer.”
Parents should dress their babies in whatever they’re wearing, plus one additional layer, says Engelbreth. “If you’re outside in pants, a shirt, and a jacket, then your child needs a warm outfit, plus a jacket, hat, and mittens, or their extra layer might be a blanket or a fleece onesie.”
Still, dressing a baby for a 20-degree day is very different from dressing them up to go outside on a cler, sunny, 50-degree day. So, here are some tips to keep your little one comfortable and protected throughout the winter months.
In the fantastic 50s
— len44ik/Fotolia
When the temperatures are in the 50s and the skies are sunny, you can absolutely still take your baby outside for a stroll. A good outfit for a sunny 50-degree day might include a long-sleeved shirt, a light sweater, and a hat. If you’re going to be outside for a while or if it’s really windy, you will probably also want to bring a blanket or extra layer for protection, just in case.
However, as you approach the end of winter and the beginning of spring there are going to be some rainy days in the forecast, too. If you’re taking your baby outside when it’s raining, you definitely want to keep them protected from the elements, and a great way to do that is with a rain guard over the stroller.
“Rain guards are perfect for those rainy, snowy, or windy days,” says Dr. Hes, “They are well ventilated with slits cut out or mesh on the sides.” You still want to be mindful of how your baby is dressed, though, because it can get hot under the rain guards. “I would make sure that you do not overdress your baby under the plastic guard,” Hes says, “It is a good insulating tool and you do not want your baby to overheat underneath.”
In the brisk 40s
— chihana/Fotolia
It can be tricky to dress for 40-degree weather because it’s not freezing cold, but it’s also definitely not warm. Your baby will likely be cozy and comfortable in a long sleeve shirt with a sweater or a light to mid-weight jacket on as well. It might also be a good idea to bring a hat and some gloves to keep them warm if needed. “I think that if you can keep mittens on your baby’s hands it’s important because their feet and hands get cold and the hands are usually exposed to the elements,” says Hes.
It’s a good idea to keep a hat in the diaper bag too, Hes and Engelbreth agree, since they’re easy to put on or take off as needed. It’s also an easy way to quickly cool your baby down if you’re noticing signs of overheating.
“A baby who is overheating is likely to fuss and cry and show signs of discomfort,” says Engelbreth, “Over time, they get kind of sleepy and tired … [and] they might get red in the face.”
In the freezing 30s
— tiagozr/Fotolia
Once the temperature dips down to 32 degrees, you’re officially in freezing weather. You should try to avoid bringing babies 6 months or younger out at all. For older babies, limit their time outdoors as much as possible too — they’re more susceptible to frostbite than adults. “I would try to avoid even having their face exposed for more than 10 minutes or so,” says Engelbreth.
On those days where it’s not quite freezing but still super chilly, layer your baby up and cover as much skin as possible using hats, mittens, and warm boots. If you’re taking them outside, consider getting a footmuff to attach to their stroller for extra warmth. “Footmuffs are perfect for cold days,” says Hes, “They’re a cozy way for your kids to stay warm and still see all their surroundings.”
If you’re driving instead of strolling, give your car a few minutes to warm up before putting baby in the car seat, Engelbreth advises. Babies shouldn’t wear their coats when they’re strapped into their car seat, and it’s also not safe to attach footmuffs to them. “If you know you’re going to be leaving, you can start warming up that car five minutes before you put the baby inside,” she says.
In the unbearable 20s
— Willie B. Thomas/DigitalVision/Getty Images
If it’s 20 degrees or lower, skip going outside altogether; grab yourself a hot cup of coffee and stay inside snuggling your baby instead. Of course, that’s not always possible, so if you have to head out, you’ll want to make sure you protect every inch of your baby’s skin and, even if they’re going to be inside all day, layer them up wisely.
“One hundred percent cotton is always the best choice for the layer against your child’s body. The other layers’ [fabrics] are not as important,” Hes says (though you do still want to choose materials that your baby will be comfortable in). “Wool can be irritating to a baby if it is not soft like cashmere [and] polyester can often make a baby sweat a lot and lead to rashes.”
Remember, babies can overheat even if it’s 20 degrees outside. If you notice your baby sweating or showing any other signs of overheating, take off some layers and get them cooled down immediately.
While your baby’s first Halloween is usually just a photo op for you to place them in front of an adorable jack-o’-lantern and snap a photo of them in their extremely adorable and tiny costume, you’ll always remember it — even if they won’t. After you’ve snapped those sweet photos, you’ve got to do your friends and followers a solid and document it on the ‘gram. While older kids in Halloween costumes on Instagram feeds are certainly cute and fun, nothing beats the toothless grin of a baby wearing a bat costume, am I right? You’ll definitely have to slow your scroll for those photos. And to go along with these perfectly adorable Halloween photos of your baby’s first Halloween comes baby’s first Halloween Instagram captions. Whether you’re looking for something punny, sweet, or matter of fact, this list of 40 captions has got you covered.
Baby’s first Halloween captions in costume
Aren’t they boo-tiful?
You’ve got me under your spell.
Mommy’s little mummy.
Too cute to spook.
Cutest pumpkin in the patch.
Bugs and kisses.
“They’re creepy and they're kooky, mysterious, and spooky.” — Andrew Gold
“I’m a mouse, duh.” — Mean Girls
“I am the Pumpkin King!” — The Nightmare before Christmas
Spooky and sweet. But mostly sweet.
Your cuteness has the power to shoo away the deadliest vampires and ghosts.
Cutest monster in town.
If you’ve got it, haunt it.
It’s always the witching hour at our house.
Wishing you all a fang-tastic Halloween!
Pumpkin spice and all things nice.
Sending you lots of boos and hisses this spooky season!
VIP: Very Important Pumpkin.
— Shutterstock
Baby’s first Halloween captions for trick-or-treating
Gimme the goods.
No tricks, just treats!
Trick or treat, bag of sweets, ghosts are walking down the street.
“Nothing on Earth is so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night.” — Steve Almond
“I don’t know that there are real ghosts and goblins, but there are always more trick-or-treaters than neighborhood kids.” — Robert Breault
Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!
Just the soft candies please, I don’t have all my teeth.
Mischief managed.
Trick or treat!
Baby’s first trick-or-treat.
Excuse me, pardon me, just here for the candy.
Friends are nice, but friends who have treats are better.
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — L.M. Montgomery
Baby’s first Halloween captions eating treats
Eat up witches.
I’ll always share my candy with you.
Trick-or-treat yo’self.
Witch better have my candy.
Those cheeks aren’t going to sustain themselves.
This little one is all treats, no tricks.
All you need is love and a bit of candy.
A ghoul’s gotta eat.
Treat yourself before you trick yourself.
Come to the dark side, we have cookies.
Eat, drink, and be scary.
Spookylicious.
Some sweets for my sugar.
Baby’s first Halloween treat.
“A party without cake is just a meeting.” — Julia Child
“What is life without treats?” — Steven Magee
“Pour some sugar on me.” — Def Leppard
Best friends always share their Halloween treats.
Baby’s new favorite holiday.
So enjoy your baby’s first Halloween night, take lots of photos, and use one of these baby’s first Halloween Instagram captions. You’ll be so glad you captured the memories of this fun holiday. Happy Halloween.
My kids, ages 3 and 6, spend a lot of time outdoors and in the woods. One category of clothing that I’ve had to get an unwanted crash course in (via a lot of trial and error) is waterproof clothing for hot and cold days. We have more than one XXL storage tub in the basement devoted to housing weatherproof clothes for our family of four, from snow bibs to insulated jackets to a variety of boots. But one thing that stays in the mudroom year-round is these waterproof bib-style Lammikko rain pants from Reima.
What is Reima?
Reima is an outdoor kids apparel company based in Finland. They have a 75-year history, but I only found out about them about few years ago when I got a pair of rain pants for my then 3-year-old. She was starting at a new school where nature exploration is a big part of their day. Rain, shine, or snow — they spend many hours a week outdoors, which means my job as a parent is to make sure she’s appropriately dressed for it. Reima focuses on this one category — outdoor apparel for kids —and they do it well. Plus, sustainability (using recycled materials and fabrics to make their clothing and gear) is a priority for them, which is also important to me.
Colors: Misty red, jam red, rose blush, yellow, candy pink, denim blue, navy, and greyish green
Who it’s for: Babies, toddlers, and kids
When to use: On any wet or rainy day
What it’s made out of: Polyester jersey with nontoxic OEKO-TEX coating
Pro-tip: Size up so your kid gets more wear out of their pair.
What’s so great about the Reima rain pants?
First, the cut. I admit, I never would’ve considered bib-style rain pants until our school added a snow version of them to the winter supplies list. All I could think about was how annoying it would be to take a kid wearing these to the restroom. But now I get it — water and snow can really get anywhere, especially on a young child who’s rolling around on the ground with not a care in the world, least of all if they are warm or dry.
These rain pants are like mini waders — kids wear them like overalls over their everyday clothes, and depending on how quickly your child grows, your kid could wear these over the course of a few years. And these are easy to put on and take off — my kids haven’t had any trouble with them.
The adjustable shoulder straps give you six centimeters (or two inches) of flexibility on the length. I sized up when I ordered these pants because I realized that my kids could always wear a larger size (they would just bunch at the ankles), but we’d have to replace them when they outgrow the strap length.
The Reima rain pants are not reserved just for drizzly days. They are equally great for after-rain adventures to the playground, the backyard, wherever, on the hottest of days and the coldest. Your kids (and by extension, you) don’t have to worry about sliding down a damp slide in these bad boys. Does your toddler insist on playing in a wet sand box? They can sit down and get comfy. They may get sand everywhere else, but their butt will stay dry.
The materials
The Reima Lammikko rain pants are waterproof and PVC-free, made of a recycled polyester jersey material, and waterproofed with a nontoxic, PVC-free, OEKO-TEX coating. They’re extremely lightweight and packable, which is incredibly convenient, especially when you’re sending them to and from school day after day. Even though the pants feel thin, the material is resilient. The pair that we’ve had for three years has gotten a lot of action and is still in great shape.
As for care and maintenance, Reima’s website recommends washing them by themselves and inside out in the washing machine, no detergents, bleach, or anything else in the basin. Then, just lay them flat or hang them them to air dry. Because they are so well coated, we honestly rarely wash them. For the most part, water and mud just kind of slides right off.
— Reima
Pros & cons
Pros:
They come in a wide range of colors, from vibrant options (which make it easy to spot your kid from afar) to minimalist hues.
They’re lightweight and long-lasting.
They’re easy to take off and put on.
They really do keep my kids bone dry.
Cons:
They’re not the cheapest rain pants on the market (but not the most expensive either).
They don’t offer plus-size options.
TL;DR
Reima’s waterproof pants for kids are just solid rain pants that are worth the price point for their quality and longevity. I know I’ll find myself just ordering the next size up when my older kid outgrows them, while the younger one, of course, gets the still-good-quality hand-me-downs.
Had To Sharehighlights the products and finds that Romper editors and contributors love so much, we just had to share in the group chat.
Trick-or-treating is the pinnacle holiday event of parenthood to me. Even more than Christmas morning — it really just looks the same for every family. You’re all rushing around, finding costume accessories and putting on face paint, and you’re also trying to figure out what to eat before trick-or-treating so everyone doesn’t immediately gorge themselves on mini Reese’s and Snickers. Halloween dinner ideas are not always easy to make happen.
Because of course Halloween takes some prep work, and you want a Halloween dinner that’s easy to make, is a crowd pleaser, and will be a good “base” in everyone’s bellies before all the candy. And hey, if Candy For Dinner is your Halloween vibe, then go for it. But there are plenty of great Halloween dinner recipes that are a good mix of protein, carbs, and fat to keep everyone from melting down too early on Halloween.
If the idea of cooking dinner on a holiday — when your kids are constantly asking you, “Is it time? Can we go yet? Where is the my $75 skeleton mask?” as you try to peel potatoes — then please know there are plenty of easy Halloween dinner options:
frozen chicken nuggets
boxed mac and cheese
frozen burritos
tacos
hot dogs and chips
canned soup
sandwiches and chips
breakfast for dinner
By the way, when I say “breakfast for dinner,” I 100% mean a frozen waffle or a bowl of cereal. It’s Halloween! Put out the spiderweb tablecloth and just enjoy feeding your kids something quick and easy for Halloween dinner. But if you want a little extra sustenance, the below options are great to eat before trick-or-treating.
Halloween Quesadillas
— CDKitchen/Yummly
Who doesn’t love a quesadilla? If you need a quick, easy Halloween dinner that your kids will actually eat and that are on theme, try out these Halloween candy corn quesadillas featured on Yummly. Don’t worry — there’s no real candy corn involved.
Ghost Blob Pizza
— A Pretty Life in the Suburbs
Another fun themed idea is the ghost blob pizza from A Pretty Life in the Suburbs. The ghosts melt perfectly into creepy little blobs on the pizza, and you could easily prep a bunch of this earlier in the day and throw it together right after school for an early Halloween dinner.
Halloween Worms
— Cooking and Cooking
This Yummly-featured recipe for Halloween worms is so gross and hilarious, but kids will get a big kick out of it and probably gobble them up. Major crowd pleaser, easy to throw together, and also a great option if you’re having people over because you can make a bunch at once.
Crockpot Beef Chili
— Half-Baked Harvest
Chili is an all-time Halloween dinner favorite because you can throw it all together earlier in the day, it’s loaded with protein to keep everyone from having too many candy crashes, and you can let everyone customize their bowl to their liking with toppings. This recipe for crockpot chili from Half-Baked Harvest is pretty hands-off, so it’s a great option for busy families.
Easy Loaded Baked Potato Soup
— A Spicy Perspective
Another easy hands-off Halloween dinner is this loaded baked potato soup from A Spicy Perspective. You can make it on the stove or in a crockpot, and it’s another excellent, stick-to-your-ribs option for Halloween.
Classic Spaghetti & Meatballs
— Damn Delicious
Spaghetti and meatballs from Damn Delicious is an absolute classic, and this recipe works so well for Halloween. Your kids are sure to eat, even if they’re dying of excitement about trick-or-treating, and you can even have leftovers for easy lunches the next day so you’re not cutting sandwiches after a night of chasing little ghosts for candy buckets.
Slow Cooker Lasagna
— Gimme Some Oven
Want another slow cooker recipe? Perfect, then try this lasagna soup from Gimme Some Oven. An easy, budget-friendly Halloween dinner option and so ridiculously good. Also a breeze to make, and easy to reheat if you want an extra bowl after trick-or-treating.
Halloween Pizza Skulls
— Lemon Blossoms/Yummly
These silicone skull molds were all the rage a few years ago, and for good reason. I’m obsessed with these Halloween pizza skulls featured on Yummly, and these would be a really fun themed Halloween dinner. Make them early in the day and reheat them right before trick-or-treating.
Frankenstein Pasta
— Super Healthy Kids/Yummly
I’m a big fan of holiday dishes really just being normal foods shaped into seasonal symbols, and this Frankenstein pasta featured on Yummly is the perfect example. Feel free to customize and play around with what your family likes, but a big bowl of pasta right before trick-or-treating is always a good choice.
Ghost Shepherd’s Pie
— Happy Mothering/Yummly
I’m biased, but I think the perfect “base” for a night of candy is a big hearty serving of shepherd’s pie, and I’m obsessed with this version of Halloween shepherd’s pie featured on Yummly. It’s your classic dish, but just turn the mashed potatoes into ghosts instead of another layer on top. So fun and so good.
Chicken Meatballs With Orzo & Peppers
— Pinch of Yum
Not everything has to be Halloween-themed though, and this Pinch of Yum recipe for chicken meatballs with peppers and orzo is perfect to eat before trick-or-treating. You can easily make a huge batch if you have friends and family coming over, but it’s also a mild taste for picky eaters and full of all the good things you want to eat on Halloween. (Before the candy, that is.)
Slow Cooker Smothered Beef Tips
— Mel's Kitchen Cafe
Another hearty protein-rich option is this recipe for slow cooker smothered beef tips from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. Pile them on top of a big bed of pillowy mashed potatoes for a super easy and delicious dinner that will keep everyone full all night long.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
— Mom on Timeout
This recipe could not be more hands-off if it tried, which is great for Halloween. Mom on Timeout’s Instant Pot pulled pork recipe makes some amazing barbecue sandwiches, but you could also use them to fill tacos, or just eat in a big pile with some veggies and other favorite sides.
Meaty Eyeballs & Breadstick Bones
— Mel's Kitchen Cafe
I am disgusted and mesmerized by these meaty eyeballs and breadstick bones from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. These are so ridiculously fun — mini meatloaves shaped into eyes and served with breadstick “bones” — but they’re also still full of protein and all the good things that’ll keep your energy up for trick-or-treating.
Cornbread Chicken & Dumplings
— A Cozy Kitchen
A Cozy Kitchen’s recipe for cornbread chicken and dumplings is so easy, it’s almost criminal. Making the dumplings out of cornmeal really adds in some amazing texture and flavor, but the whole dish is a perfect one for picky eaters and is a very good choice if you want a meal full of sustenance.
Homemade Mac & Cheese
— Budget Bytes
There is zero shame in pulling out a box of macaroni and cheese to make, but if you want to go homemade and serve something easy that even the most excited kids will sit down and devour, try this extra cheesy homemade mac and cheese from Budget Bytes. It’s packed with cheese and is the perfect ooey gooey texture.
Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Soup
— Cook Nourish Bliss
And one more dish for the slow cooker category: stuffed pepper soup from Cook Nourish Bless. So good and easy, and a nice change from some of the other soups and dishes on this list. This is an especially great one for parents who’ve barely eaten all day with all of the last-minute Halloween prep.
No matter what you eat before trick-or-treating, the important thing to remember is that it’s Halloween! Go have some fun. If all anyone eats before they run out the door is a cup of yogurt and a handful of crackers, that’s just fine. You can conjure up something later.
If your podcast-loving kid happens to need a new show to dive into, they’re in luck. The Plate Show, a new podcast for kids ages 6 to 9, launches on Oct. 31 with new episodes dropping every Tuesday. In The Plate Show, your friendly talking spoon host, Spoonie, is joined on the kitchen counter by her best friend of all, Tongs. Together they interview special guests about their favorite foods and meaningful cultural dishes, and they also play games, interview celeb chefs, swap recipes, and more.
Your kids will adore the utensils-turned-hosts in The Plate Show.
Spoonie and Tongs are voiced by Jasmine Romero (of Sesame Street fame) and Jonathan Butler-Duplessis (who you may know from Hamilton), so the cast has major acting chops. “We are excited for families to fall in love with Spoonie and Tongs as much as we have,” Sandra Sheppard, executive producer of Kids’ Media & Education for The WNET Group, tells Romper. “Spoonie dreams of flying around the world one day, tasting all the amazing foods it has to offer, and this show allows her the opportunity explore the world from her very own kitchen. Tongs is a research aficionado and a grounded presence to Spoonie’s energy.”
In Romper’s exclusive sneak peek below, listen in as Spoonie discovers how pumpkin is used in dishes around the world. Yep, it’s more than just a yummy pie filling.
“Each episode, these friends also help each other get through challenges while practicing critical life skills,” Sheppard adds. “For example, Spoonie learning patience while baking challah for the first time or navigating Tongs’ fear of spicy food.”
The special guests include chefs and best-selling authors.
In Episode 6, author Kevin Maillard joins Spoonie and Tongs to tell stories about food that’s meaningful to him and his family as a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. “When food stories fall on new ears, culture is being passed on. Without those stories, the interest in the food passes away,” Maillard tells Romper. “Interest in cultural foods is usually centered in elder generations, and for many younger people, food can be an easy and equalizing way to talk to them. Sharing stories means saving culture, and food makes these stories especially memorable by calling on all five senses.”
“I love sharing my culture with listeners because it took me too long to realize how cool it was,” says Chef Calvin Eng, the special guest who will appear in Episode 8. “China is a big country and cuisines vary from region to region, so I love to be able to educate listeners about what Cantonese food is from the point of view of someone who is a first-generation, American-born Chinese kid.”
The Plate Show is an educational podcast.
Chances are, if you got your kid into podcasts in the first place, you’re looking for meaningful alternatives to screen time. The Plate Show was developed through the CPB-PBS Ready To Learn Initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, with the goal of helping young kids develop skills to succeed in school, work, and life.
“Our goal was to create a podcast that was celebratory, fun, and offered a way for kids and their families to learn about other people and their special traditions through a universal connector: food,” says Sheppard. “We spoke with many families in our local community about what they wanted for their kids and what kids themselves wanted to hear. We learned that families were looking for ways to help their kids develop an appreciation and curiosity for other cultures so they can interact and respect their neighbors from different backgrounds.”
The Plate Show will be available for free on theplateshow.org and wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Overcast, and Pocket Casts.
Kailyn Lowry’s family is growing by two more. The Teen Mom star revealed on her podcast that she is pregnant again and expecting twins with her boyfriend Elijah Scott months after announcing the birth of her fifth son.
On the latest episode of her podcast, Barely Famous, Lowry was chatting with YouTuber and TikTok star Allison Kuch, who is married to Las Vegas Raiders star Isaac Rochell and pregnant with their first child, about how they both had recently vacationed in Thailand when she revealed she’s pregnant with twins. Lowry posted about her trip in March.
“We were not even near each other, but what are the odds? And then I guess we both came home with permanent souvenirs,” Lowry said, angling the camera down to show her pregnant belly. “Wait, you came home with a permanent souvenir? Oh my god, why did I not know this? We both got pregnant in Thailand!” Kuch responded.
“I must have got pregnant right before I left [for Thailand], because [Scott] didn’t go with me, and I had no idea,” Lowry said later on in the podcast. “When I got there, I was eating everything. My face was flushed, but I didn’t think anything of it because I was like, there’s just no way. There’s no way I am.”
“This is my … sixth pregnancy,” Lowry added during her convo with Kuch. “Like, six and seven for me.”
Lowry, 31, welcomed her first child, son Isaac, now 13, with Jo Rivera in 2010, which was documented on 16 and Pregnant. She also shares son Lincoln, 9, with Javi Marroquin, as well as sons Lux, 6, and Creed, 3, with Chris Lopez. Lowry welcomed her fifth child, son Rio, with her boyfriend, Elijah Scott, last year.
While rumors ran wild on Reddit, Lowry chose not to share the news of her pregnancy with Rio until several months after he was born. “I wanted to be able to tell my own story on my own terms and kind of share what information I wanted to share instead of being within a contractual obligation or storyline,” Lowry told People earlier in October, adding that all the speculation essentially forced her announce it, despite not feeling “ready.”
“I feel like it was ripped out from under me time and time again,” she told the magazine. “I kind of feel like my hands are tied. People are announcing it for me and so, at this point, I might as well just talk about it. At this point, I can at least try to do it my way.”
With Baby #6 and Baby #7, Lowry is taking the narrative back into her hands. As she wrote on Instagram, “Nothing like souvenirs from vacation.”
The only thing worse than having painful, dry, cracked lips is watching your kid suffer from their own. That’s why it’s helpful to have some lip balms that are kid-safe on hand so you can get the healing process started as soon as possible. In fact, you may want to just stock up on these like you do baby wipes so that there’s always a pack nearby. And, let’s be honest, you know this is the type of thing you’ll lose track of all the time.
While your child can end up with chapped lips any time of the year, winter is particularly rough on them. “One of the most common causes of chapped lips is dry, cold weather which can transform into an irritant dermatitis called lip-licking dermatitis,” says dermatologist Dr. Aída Lugo-Somolinos. “This is caused by irritation with saliva as the kids moisten their lips constantly with their tongues.” This may seem like a common event with your child, but if it goes on for too long without treatment, it can lead to much bigger problems. “If severe, it may require evaluation by a dermatologist and treatment with topical steroids,” Lugo-Somolinos warns.
When you were younger, you might have just grabbed your tube of strawberry-flavored Lip Smacker and gone on your way when your lips were chapped. However, Lugo-Somolinos advises against products like these for toddlers and kids. “One of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis of the lips is fragrances,” she explains, “The same chemicals used in fragrances are also used in flavorings like cinnamon, vanillin, etc.” Your child could end up with a severe allergic reaction to these chemicals, which would make their lips even redder, swollen, and painful. Instead, Dr. Lugo-Somolinos suggests parents stick to lip balms with basic ingredients. “Look for simple, hypoallergenic ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, shea butter, and coconut oil,” she says.
Here are some of the best and safest lip balms to consider for toddlers, kids, and in some cases, babies.
Pipette is known for their consciously sourced, gentle yet effective baby products. Their balm stick, which makes application a bit less messy, is a multi-purpose product that is safe for dry skin, including your child’s lips. It’s even safe for babies to use. Noteworthy ingredients include moisturizing squalane (a sugarcane-derived version of squalene that is naturally found in our bodies) but derived from sugarcane, and vegan ceramides to lock in moisture.
If you’ve ever used Burt’s Bees Lip Balm on your own chapped lips, you know first-hand how soothing the formula is. It’s some of the best beeswax lip balm around and is made with all-natural ingredients including vitamin E and peppermint oil, which is what creates the wonderful cooling sensation. The peppermint oil also gives the balm a sweet and fresh taste that isn’t overwhelming, which may help you out if your kids are resistant to other chapsticks because they don’t taste good. While this is definitely among some of the best chapsticks for kids, it’s not designed specifically for babies, so you’ll want to find another brand for your littlest ones.
It doesn’t get much more basic or as classic as Vaseline, does it? It’s a tried and true balm for all kinds of ailments, so it’s no wonder there’s a fragrance-free lip balm made from it. In fact, Dr. Lugo-Somolinos specifically suggests this traditional Vaseline Lip Therapy (without flavor) for kids and toddlers because it does not have any fragrance added to it and is free of sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and aluminum. If your child isn’t a fan of the taste and is resistant, then you can always dab a little onto their lips once they’re asleep so it can do its work overnight.
Erbaviva Organic Lip and Cheek Balm is another fantastic baby chapstick that can be used by the whole family. It’s great for moisturizing both the lips and cheeks and it’s made from all-natural ingredients, most of which are completely organic. Its key ingredients include organic chamomile and lavender essential oil for soothing anti-inflammatory relief, organic shea butter for moisture, and organic calendula essential oil to protect the lips and skin from the cold wind that would cause further damage. It’s a good idea to have some of this on hand whenever your child (or you) has a cold, because it’s great for soothing chapped skin around and under the nose.
Tubby Todd’s lip balms, recommended for children ages 2 and up, is made from a blend of sunflower seed oil, beeswax, castor seed oil, shea butter, tocopherol (Vitamin E), and flavored naturally from certified organic ingredients. Yes, they are flavored, but they are plant-derived, not chemically. You can see a full list of their ingredients here.
This is another natural lip balm for toddlers and big kids that Dr. Lugo-Somolinos recommends because it’s made with hypoallergenic ingredients like shea butter and doesn’t contain any fragrances or flavors—so it’s about as clean and kid-safe as it gets. While Cleure Natural Lip Balm is certainly one of the best chapsticks for kids, it unfortunately comes in a tube, which can make it tough to apply to wiggly ones. To make it a little easier, warm it up in your hands a bit to get some of the balm on your finger and apply it that way (just make sure your hands are squeaky clean before you do it).
As far as kid-safe chapsticks go, this one is a little on the pricier end, but if your child has very sensitive skin then this lip balm is definitely worth the money. Dr. Lugo-Somolinos specifically recommends Uriage Bariederm because its formula is hypoallergenic, safe, and effective. What’s really nice about this brand is that you can apply the balm as often as needed throughout the day, so if your child decides to wipe it off their lips when you’re not looking, you can add another layer worry-free. Plus, it’s a formula that you can use on yourself, too (which certainly never hurts).
Technically, Dr. Bronner’s Baby Unscented Magic Balm can be used anywhere on the body, but it’s still one of the best baby chapstick options out there (and hey, any balm that has multiple uses is a good thing, right?). It’s totally unscented, is free of added flavorings, and is safe for the lips, face, hands, or anywhere else your babe has dry or chapped skin. It’s made with ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil, all of which work to hydrate, heal, and protect baby’s skin — including little chapped lips. Additionally, it’s packaged in a tin that makes it easy to scoop some of the balm out and apply directly onto your baby’s skin (and, it’ll moisturize your hands in the process).
As much as you might have loved applying your glittery cupcake-flavored gloss to your lips when you were younger, you should avoid giving the same thing to your little ones now that you’re a parent. Whether you’re looking for baby chapstick, lip balm for toddlers, or something your big kid will actually use (and isn’t filled with unnecessary ingredients), the best thing you can do is follow Dr. Lugo-Somolinos’ advice and stick to simple formulas that are free of added fragrances, flavors, and, sadly, glitter.
Expert:
Aída Lugo-Somolinos, MD, Professor of Dermatology at the University Of North Carolina in Chapel Hill
Chris Pratt is very proud of his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger and all of her accomplishments. As he should be; she is an accomplished author and mother to two. But he’s wondering if it’s necessary to keep evidence of all of her accomplishments throughout her entire life in their home. That’s right, Chris Pratt is asking when it’s okay to toss your kid’s childhood trophies after his wife’s mom appeared to keep every single one of them, and it’s sparked something of a parenting debate.
The Guardians of the Galaxy actor, who is dad to 11-year-old son Jack with ex-wife Anna Faris as well as 3-year-old daughter Lyla and 1-year-old daughter Eloise with wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, took to Instagram with an interesting question recently. Alongside a photo of his wife beaming with pride, Pratt wrote that her mother Maria Shriver “has been storing special items from Katherine’s childhood for years.”
“Which is so very thoughtful,” he added. “To see my darling wife beaming with sentiment as she opens these crates of meticulously organized keepsakes, remembering her cherished youth, makes me grateful for the efforts her folks put into archiving. I cannot say how proud I am of my wife for being a fourth grade problem solving superstar.”
He went on to note that one trophy was for “most improved two year old” in a swim class, and apparently Katherine was the only 2-year-old in that particular swim class. Pratt explained that he understood that storing all of these trophies is all about the “hope of parenthood” to see your children “look back on their childhood with glee.” But he also wondered if it’s okay to get rid of them once they’ve looked through their stuff. Especially those less-than-auspicious awards.
“Do we need the ‘I was on a sports team trophy?’ Can they be donated? Repurposed?” the actor asked. “How many do we gotta keep? Not all of them right? Any of them? Is there a grading scale? Like, did you win? Were you a champion? Is there a specific sentimental connection? Help me out here. Do they go back in storage?”
Schwarzenegger teased her husband about his post, writing, “Feels like someone is a litttlllee bit jealous of my natural athleticism from birth and ability to solve problems,” while her mom Maria Shriver chimed in with, “Omg I’m so happy here’s to story trophies and school work and dresses and party outfits i feel vindicated.”
Some other parents took to Pratt’s post to share their own feelings about keeping kids’ trophies.
“I think I’m going to be one of those moms that keep EVERYTHING…including the teeth,” wrote one follower.
Another person had some helpful advice, “You could take pictures of them and put them in a printed book. Less space but still the memories.”
And one mom admitted, “I’m the mom that saved a lot (not all) of my kids papers, trophies, drawings. They went through them equally gleefully but threw away 75%. I was fine with that. I loved watching them go through it.”
Whatever you decide to do with your kids’ trophies, perhaps the lesson here is to remember that their future partner will end up inheriting them as well. And here’s hoping they get as much joy from them as Chris Pratt did with his wife’s trophies.
Tara Lipinski is a first-time mom. On Wednesday, she and husband Todd Kapostasy announced that they’ve welcomed their first baby together, a daughter they named Georgie, via surrogate. And the Olympic gold medalist couldn’t be happier to have her little girl after her long, difficult journey with infertility.
“I dreamt about this for so long,” Lipinski told People in an interview about welcoming her daughter Georgie. She went on to say that there wasn’t a single element of motherhood she wasn’t excited about. “A crying baby, sleepless nights. Even when I’m like, ‘Okay, take an hour nap,’ I’m almost too excited. I’m like, ‘She’s there. Just watch her a little longer.’”
Fortunately for the new mom, baby Georgie is a “calm and peaceful” little girl. A little girl the former figure skater has welcomed after a harrowing five-year journey with infertility struggles. Lipinski began to share her story back in August with a heartbreaking Instagram post, telling her followers at the time, “My husband and I have seemingly hit every roadblock imaginable from the moment we began this process in 2018 and since then I have been under anesthesia 24 times, have had 4 miscarriages, 4 D&C's, 6 failed IVF transfers, 8 retrievals and a diagnosis of endometriosis that led me to 2 major surgeries.”
After all of those roadblocks, all of the loneliness of infertility that prompted Lipinski to start her Unexpecting podcast, the couple shared in early October that they were expecting a baby via surrogate with a woman named Mikayla. “It was just so surreal, like it couldn't have been happening to us — like we don't get this news, like this doesn't happen to us,” Lipinski recalled of her reaction to the positive scan results on an episode of Unexpecting. “It was almost like I didn't believe it.”
Now little Georgie is here, and Lipinski told People that she was (understandably) emotional when she was in the delivery room watching her daughter being born. “I was playing Dave Matthews’ song ‘You and Me’ and I could not stop sobbing. Then the baby came out, and it was so much relief,” she told the outlet. “I felt like I could breathe again.”
Content Warning: This article contains detailed descriptions of sexual assaults.
A new podcast from Wondery and journalist Laura Beil dives into the harrowing case of Dr. Robert Hadden, a well-respected OB-GYN affiliated with Columbia University who sexually assaulted hundreds of women when they were most vulnerable. Exposed: Cover-Up at Columbia University tells the story of how his heinous crimes came to light and how the elite Ivy League institution where he spent more than two decades tried to keep them in the shadows.
Exposed is about one doctor’s serial assault of patients and the victims who brought him to justice.
The podcast begins not with the first of Dr. Hadden’s crimes, but the first for which he faced any kind of consequence. During her pregnancy, Laurie Kanyok, a professional dancer, had some misgivings about her doctor stemming from painful pelvic exams (prompting a moan from the doctor) and unusual sensations on her vulva. But it wasn’t until her six-week postpartum exam, when she felt Hadden lick her vulva, that she knew he had done something illegal. Her partner called 911 and the doctor was arrested that day. But by the following Tuesday, Hadden was back at work, with Columbia’s knowledge and endorsement.
Despite genetic evidence that someone had left saliva on Kanyok (who was not her partner), there was not enough of that evidence for authorities to charge Hadden. Dissatisfied with this turn of events, Kanyok took her story to the press, and while there wasn’t a lot of media attention, there was enough to start to get the wheels of justice rolling.
The podcast interviews victims, lawyers, and others involved in the case of Dr. Hadden.
Over the course of the series, we learn that Kanyok was not Hadden’s first victim. In fact, there are several hundred, at this point, who have come forward, beginning as far back as 1993. Hadden, they say, assaulted patients in his care, with and without nurse chaperones present, from inappropriate breast exams and genital touch (including painful penetration) to masturbating women while in stirrups and orally assaulting them. Some of Hadden’s other victims, including Marissa Hoechstetter, Sandra Abramowicz, Evelyn Yang, and Diane Monson relate the events of this harrowing tale in their own words on the podcast, not just the abuse but the years of advocacy and legal battles that would ultimately bring a predator to justice. Kanyok was also not his last: in fact, one patient dates her abuse to the day Hadden went back to work after his arrest.
Yang, who is the wife of former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, states in the podcast how a very specific chain of events ultimately brought this story to a kind of conclusion: she saw Kanyok’s story and joined the first case against him (which ultimately ended in a plea bargain in which Hadden did not see any jail or prison time); her lawyer from that case, Anthony DiPietro, later connected her to Hoechstetter; Hoechstetter, who by then had begun patient and victim advocacy work, emboldened Yang, then a public figure in connection to her husband, to reach out to CNN’s Dana Bash and give a public interview about her trauma; Yang’s interview was seen by Monson, who had in her possession a 1994 letter from Columbia University acknowledging that they’d received her complaint of sexual abuse by Hadden that in part prompted a new case against Hadden at the federal level.
Other interviewees include the blunt and fierce Isabelle Kirshner, who defended Hadden in the first court case; Laura Millendorf, the DA assigned to that same case; and Cyrus Vance, then New York District Attorney and his deputy at the time, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who admit mishandling of the initial case against Hadden.
Exposed highlights how Columbia University appears to have protected and enabled Dr. Hadden.
While Columbia initially denied any knowledge of allegations against Hadden prior to Kanyok’s partner’s 911 call, it becomes clear that was not the case.
In addition to the letter from Columbia-Presbyterian’s then head of obstetrics Dr. Harold Fox sent to Monson acknowledging her complaint back in 1994, an investigation of the university found that it had withheld key evidence in the first case against Hadden, including the aforementioned letter (which they claimed not to have known about), emails, and even a write-up of Hadden for inappropriate behavior. Moreover, two of Hadden’s former colleagues came forward to relate that they were aware that the doctor had, at the very least alienated patients with inappropriate behavior and comments. Nurse Willie Terry testified in court to actually seeing abuse take place but never reported it, stating that the hierarchy at the institution was crystal clear and that a nurse would never be believed over a doctor.
Though the university, which boasts a $13.28 billion endowment has reached settlements amounting to approximately $236 million with at least 227 survivors, including Yang and Kanyok, they have not faced criminal charges, and likely won’t. “Any possible criminal charges were time barred by the statute of limitations,” Biel states in the podcast.
Dr. Hadden was sentenced to 20 years in prison on sex abuse charges.
Hadden was arrested in 2020 after the Southern District of New York filed charges against him as more information became available. In July of 2023, he was found guilty on four counts of enticing and inducing patients to travel interstate to his Manhattan office where he sexually abused them. He was sentenced to the maximum of 20 years per count, to be served consecutively. For a man his age, 64, this essentially amounts to a life sentence.
Neither Hadden nor Columbia University leadership (either former president Lee Bollinger, who served in that capacity from 2002 to the summer of 2023, or current president Minouche Shafik, who has been criticized for her response to this case) agreed to be interviewed for the podcast.
“[Columbia’s] response to Hadden’s arrest wasn’t to slow down and investigate,” Biel says in the final episode of Exposed. “It was an immediate move to minimize it, dismiss the accusation, and try to act like everything was normal.” The New York District Attorney’s office acknowledges that Hadden may be the most prolific sexual assailant in the history of the office.
After the podcast’s release, students and survivors of Hadden’s sexual abuse held a protest at Columbia University.
On Oct. 24, hundreds of students and survivors of Hadden’s sexual abuse, several of whom were included in the podcast, held a rally outside Columbia University President Minouche Shafik’s office and delivered a letter demanding an internal investigation into the “institutional failures that allowed Hadden to perpetrate his crimes for decades.” The letter was signed by 36 elected officials.
“To date, not a single employee at Columbia has faced consequences for covering up Hadden's crimes. As a Columbia graduate, I feel profoundly disappointed by the failures of our university,” NYS Assemblymember Grace Lee said at the rally.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit hotline.rainn.org.
Winter is around the corner and homes across are the country are starting to crank up their thermostats. To ensure low-income families can keep their homes heated as temperatures drop, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has designated $3.7 billion of funding toward the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
On Tuesday, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the release of nearly $3.7 billion of funding to support LIHEAP, a federally-funded program, created in 1981, that helps families pay for their heating bills and other home energy costs. In 2022, the program assisted “over 6 million household with heating, cooling, and weatherization services,” according to the HHS.
“LIHEAP is critical to lowering energy costs for families, and protecting the health and safety of households, particularly those that include older adults, individuals with disabilities, and young children,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “With additional support from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, this essential program will help households keep the heat on in the winter and stay cool in the summer while still being able to afford other essentials necessary for good health like food, medicine, and housing.”
The ACF launched a new tool to help families identify if they for qualify for LIHEAP assistance. The LIHEAP eligibility tool is available online and will ask for basic information like your income, location, household size, and whether you receive other government benefits like SNAP. From there, you’ll need to contact your local LIHEAP office. You can also call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline at 1-866-674-6327 for more information or help applying for the program.
“We know that for families and individuals with low incomes, many of whom work overtime or work multiple jobs to make ends meet, it can often be difficult and time consuming to figure out if they meet the eligibility requirements for a specific program,” OCS Director Dr. Lanikque Howard said in a statement. “The LIHEAP eligibility tool alleviates some of this burden by allowing households to more quickly identify if they might be eligible in their service area.”
Part of LIHEAP’s mission to help “reduce the risk of health and safety problems that arise from unsafe heating and cooling situations and practices.” The National Fire Protection Association reports that heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes, with space heaters accounting for the majority of fires.
