Where’s that village?

We love fall…but also? Pumpkin patches might be the world’s biggest scam. Anyone else feel like this might be the scariest part of Halloween? We’re in the trenches out here every weekend between now and October 31.

Wanted: The Village We Were Promised

Were you told to “rely on your village” when you had kids? We sure were. But…that village (and the help we thought was promised) is hard to find, for tons and tons of parents. It feels like we’re constantly fending for ourselves. Why?

• We’re not living as close to friends and family as we used to.

• Millennial parents are more likely to get advice online than from their parents.

• And millennials often feel pressured to be more hands-on and super involved with their children, which can lead to parenting differences with their own parents. 

So…now what? Because parents need (and deserve) help. We can all try to be there a little more for each other—the new parent living down the street, the mom struggling through drop-off. And we can get creative with what we call a village…that’s why we started The Common Parent, where everyone can ask the questions and find the support they need.

The Art of the Hard Launch

Remember Facebook relationship statuses? Try explaining that to your teens now…their heads might explode when you recount the horrors of “it’s complicated.” But as parents, we need to understand the modern day (and kind of messy) hard launch.

What does a hard launch entail? It’s typically a photo that serves as the official/unofficial declaration that a couple is together. And that’s kind of it.

So why is something so small such a big deal? It’s a fair question. Why do our teens need to announce who they’re dating as though they’re public figures? Most kids are chronically online. It’s how they communicate with their friends. The hard launch is a genuine way to let people know what’s going on in their life and who is important to them. It might seem strange to us, but that’s because we are old and cringe, right? 😅

Boo Baskets: Harmless or Haunting?

What’s a Boo Basket, you ask? Think Elf on the Shelf but for Halloween. Parents are putting together little baskets of goodies to get into the spooky spirit. Seems straightforward enough, right? Well…if there’s one thing we know about the internet, it’s that literally anything can be controversial. And the Boo Basket is no exception. 

Some parents think it’s a fun way for kids to experience the fleeting magic of childhood, others think it’s all a little much (on time and money).

Our stance? You do you. Don’t feel bad for being too “extra” if you’re into the Boo Baskets and definitely don’t feel bad if you don’t have the bandwidth to make it happen.

The Rec Room

Fall is layered. And we’re not just talking about all the sweaters we’re pulling out of storage. Autumn is spooky but it’s also cozy! So if you’re looking for a good read that falls into either category (or sometimes both), we’ve got you covered with the perfect recs for your fall reading list.

Sign Here. Protagonist Peyote Trip works in Hell...literally. He's inches away from a big promotion, all he has to do is get one last member of an enormously wealthy and powerful family to sell their soul. Equal parts horror, mystery and comedy? We’re in.

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe. Jeanie starts a new chapter of her life when she opens the Pumpkin Spice Cafe in the quaint small town of Dream Harbor. Quiet and no-nonsense local farmer Logan is her polar opposite and yet…he can’t seem to keep himself away from her. We’ll let you guess where it goes from there.

Big Swiss. Set in the (real!) and incredibly charming town of Hudson, New York, Jen Beagin tells a tragically funny story about sex therapy, love, and the profound messiness of being alive.

Hallowe’en Party. Ok…this one might seem a little on the nose. But it’s Agatha Christie! The GOAT of murder mysteries! When in Rome, right?