The Great Halloween Candy Debate, Raising Kids Who Set Boundaries and the Baby Names That Are Making a Comeback

With Halloween just a little more than a week away, October is doing that thing where it somehow feels like the school year just started and also like we've already been at it for six months (in reality, it has only been about eight weeks). The fact is, the kids are changing their minds about costumes every 20 minutes and we're all just trying to make it to November without eating the Halloween candy we've already bought. No promises on that last one.

Here's what's up this week:

• A new set of vintage names is making a comeback

• A little kitchen time with Grandma and Grandpa goes a long way

• Raising kids who aren't afraid to say no

• What to do with the Halloween candy haul

• What young audiences really want to watch

• “Whimsymaxxing” makes everyday life a little more fun

• The surprising message behind toddler meltdowns

Also known as embracing a little more silliness, making room for every generation and accepting that at least some of the candy isn't making it to October 31.

Editor, ParentsCanada

Your Great-Aunt's Name Is Cool Again

Move over, Olivia and Noah. According to Nameberry's most recent trend report, names like Beverly, Nancy, Judith, Bruce and Walter are attracting renewed interest from parents looking beyond the usual vintage picks. Apparently we've reached the point where little baby Ronald is refreshing. Naming trends have always been cyclical, but this latest crop sounds less like a kindergarten class and more like the guest list at Great-Aunt Mildred's bridge club.

Of course, there's something charming about bringing these names back. Some honour family members, and others appeal to parents who want something distinctive without resorting to creative spelling. And who knows? Judith might someday be to the 2020s as Jennifer was to the 1980s.

👉 Our newly updated baby names hub is packed with inspiration, whether you're after an old-school gem, a modern classic or something entirely unexpected. Tap here to check it out.

Why Cooking With Grandparents Is Good for Everyone

Grandparents have been passing down family recipes for generations, but the benefits of cooking together go well beyond learning the secret to a perfect quiche. According to a 2025 review of 26 studies published in International Psychogeriatrics, 77 percent of the studies found positive outcomes for both generations involved in intergenerational activities, like cooking. From building stronger connections to reducing loneliness, it turns out everyone has something to gain.

You can see those benefits play out in kitchens everywhere, when grandparents and grandkids come together to cook or bake. For grandkids, it might mean picking up a few new skills and some family history while they’re at it. For grandparents, it's quality time, a chance to share what they know and an excuse to make a glorious mess in the kitchen. Best of all, there's no elaborate activity required. Sometimes a mixing bowl, a family recipe and a little patience are all it takes. Although someone will inevitably insist the recipe doesn't need measuring cups.

👉 Read on to discover how time spent in the kitchen can strengthen the bond between grandparents and grandkids—and why it's worth making a regular date of it.

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“No” Is a Full Sentence—Even for Kids

We're all trying to raise kind, considerate kids. That’s almost a given. But sometimes being a "good kid" ends up being synonymous with being agreeable. It’s easy for things like “say yes when someone asks for help” and “be polite” and “don't make a fuss” to creep into parenting vernacular. And while this isn’t unreasonable advice, if you don’t explain and accept the boundaries that go along with these ideas, you may find you’ve raised a child who feels personally responsible for everybody else's happiness.

Whether it's declining an invitation, disagreeing with a friend or refusing an extra responsibility, learning to say no is an important life skill. The trick is helping kids understand that pushing back doesn't have to be confrontational. "Thanks, but I can't" is perfectly acceptable. So is "I'd rather not." And no, they don't need to deliver a 12-slide PowerPoint defending their decision. Being kind and being accommodating aren't the same thing.

Halloween Candy Is Dividing Parents (As Always)

Halloween is almost here, which means parents everywhere are preparing for the annual ritual of spending a small fortune on costumes, marching through the neighbourhood and yelling “say thank you!” from the sidewalk, and then arguing about what to do with approximately 11 pounds of miniature chocolate bars. Some families ration the haul until Christmas; others let their kids go wild for a night and hope the novelty wears off; and then there's the Switch Witch, who apparently has the capacity to collect unwanted candy from households everywhere on Halloween night and replace it with gifts.

There's no single approach that works for every family, but many nutrition experts encourage avoiding overly restrictive rules that can make sweets feel even more desirable. That doesn't mean giving a preschooler unlimited access to a pillowcase full of sugar, but it does mean finding a balance between reasonable limits and letting kids enjoy the holiday. Plus, surely the adults who bought the costumes and supervised the trick-or-treating are entitled to a few peanut butter cups.

Kids Want Better Movies, Not More Influencers

For all the handwringing about kids and their obsession with online creators, new research suggests we've been underestimating their taste in entertainment. According to UCLA's newly released 2026 Teens and Screens report, which surveyed more than 1,500 young people aged 10 to 24, audiences are craving stories about friendship, relatable experiences and overcoming challenges. Apparently, they don't need every character to have a million followers and a skincare sponsorship (shocking, right?!).

Also, get this: Despite the assumption that young people have abandoned traditional theatre experiences, going to a new movie topped their preferred weekend activities for the third year running. Maybe kids haven't lost interest in good storytelling, like the experts have been worrying about. Maybe Hollywood just needs to give them more of it.

👉 Movie night, meet nostalgia. We've rounded up a list of favourite throwback movies that will be just as fun to watch with your kids now as they were when you first saw them.

“Whimsymaxxing” Is Making Parenting More Fun

Just when you thought the internet had run out of things to add "maxxing" to, along comes “whimsymaxxing.” But unlike some online trends, this one sounds super fun. The idea behind “whimsymaxxing” is to inject a little more silliness, spontaneity and imagination into everyday family life—preferably without worrying whether the results are particularly practical or Instagram-worthy. Think painting a random mural on a bedroom wall, throwing a party for a made-up holiday, adding an absolutely unhinged amount of toppings to an ice cream sundae. And it’s not for posting; it’s for making memories and spending time together.

The best part is that “whimsymaxxing” doesn't require spending money, planning an elaborate outing or even leaving the house. It just means remembering that being a grown-up doesn't have to involve acting like one all the time.

👉 Not ready to hand your child a paintbrush and point them toward the drywall? Fair. Tap through to our list of lower-stakes ways to get in on the fun.

New Research Finds Meaning in Meltdowns

Anyone who's spent time with a toddler knows that a freakout can sound like a combination of a fire alarm, a foreign language and an extremely passionate argument about the wrong colour socks. But new research suggests some of that often unintelligible noise might actually be your child trying to communicate. And here's the kicker: We may be missing what they're saying because they're so upset.

According to a study from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro published this summer, roughly one-third of the sounds researchers recorded from 25 upset one-year-olds included attempts at speech. Interestingly, parents were least likely to respond when crying and talking happened at the same time.

But when parents did respond, their toddlers often started communicating more clearly or became less upset. So next time your toddler is losing it over a banana they didn't want peeled, listen for the words mixed in with the wailing. They might be trying to tell you more than you realize.

👉 A little calm goes a long way. When toddler emotions are running high, a few easy strategies can help bring things back down to earth. Check out how meditation and mindfulness can help little ones manage big feelings.