November has arrived, which means we're in that weird stretch of the year when we're finding Halloween candy wrappers in the couch cushions but the kids are already making Christmas lists. (We're not quite ready to commit to full holiday mode, but the kids clearly didn't get that memo.) So while we figure out what to do with the Halloween candy haul—besides eat it in the closet—we've got plenty to catch you up on this week.

Here's what's up:

Also known as giving ourselves a little credit, reconsidering the broccoli battle and resisting the urge to buy Mousetrap or a Skip-It for our kids. (No promises on that last one.)

Editor, ParentsCanada

If your child treats an unfamiliar vegetable like a personal affront, a new study published in the journal Appetite might have some new insights for you. The study out of Maastricht University in the Netherlands found an association between picky eating and a child's confusion when identifying basic tastes (like sweet, salty, sour…). In other words, some kids might be reluctant to try unfamiliar foods because they're not quite sure what they're tasting.

It's not a magic explanation for every rejected dinner, but it does offer a different way to approach the issue. Instead of encouraging your child to "try one bite to be polite," try talking about flavours. Can they compare it to something else? Does it taste different from what they expected? Turning mealtime into a little experiment might take some of the pressure off everyone.

👉 If you're looking for a few more ways to take the pressure off at mealtime, we've got four practical strategies to help picky eaters try new foods.

While introducing solids comes with plenty of messy moments, funny facial expressions and adorable first tastes, it also plays a crucial role in your baby’s growth and development. The foods your little one eats during the first year help provide essential nutrients, build eating skills and lay the foundation for a healthy relationship with food.

Registered Dietitians Jessica Penner and Nita Sharda explain why this important stage is about much more than filling tiny tummies. From iron-rich foods like beef, lentils and tofu to introducing common allergens and exploring different flavours and textures, discover how early food experiences can support brain development, help reduce the risk of food allergies and encourage food acceptance as your baby grows.

Plus, find out why offering a variety of foods early on can make a lasting difference to your little one's eating journey.

👉 Discover which foods to offer, from iron-rich first bites to a variety of textures and flavours, and how positive mealtime experiences can help set your little one up for a healthier future.

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For all the criticism modern parents receive (much of it from themselves and their peers), here's some encouraging news: A survey from ZERO TO THREE released last month spoke to more than 2,200 parents and discovered that 61 percent tell their children they love them more often than their own parents did, while 57 percent show their kids more physical affection.

This is a refreshing reminder that parenting practices can change for the better from one generation to the next. That doesn't mean our parents didn't love us, of course. But many of us are making a conscious effort to be more affectionate, more emotionally available and more willing to talk about feelings.

So the next time you're second-guessing your parenting choices, give yourself a little credit. And go give your kiddo a squeeze to remind yourself that you're doing fine.

👉 If you're feeling like parenting is harder than it used to be, you're not imagining things. Here's what the experts have to say about why raising kids feels so challenging these days.

If your teenager communicates primarily through dramatic sighs and eye rolls, don't despair. New research from the Child Mind Institute suggests that family connections remain incredibly important during adolescence — even when teens do their very best to convince everyone otherwise.

The study found that 88 percent of the teens surveyed had at least one family member they could turn to when they're feeling stressed, and that feeling understood and supported was particularly important. This suggests that the quality of those relationships matters more than the number of people in a teen's corner.

The takeaway is that we should all keep showing up, even when our efforts are met with spectacular indifference. And remember that some of the best conversations happen when you're not trying to have one — in the car, over a snack or while doing something together.

👉 Want to get your teen talking without making it feel like an interrogation? Try these conversation starters that go beyond "How was your day?".

If this year's Christmas wish lists are giving you a serious case of déjà vu, you're not imagining it. Some familiar favourites are making a comeback this holiday season, and you might find yourself wondering whether you've accidentally wandered into a toy store circa 1996. (And honestly, we're not mad about it.)

Among the nostalgic picks making a comeback this year:

Of course, just because you loved a particular toy in 1996 doesn't mean your child will. But we fully support buying one for yourself. For nostalgia's sake, obviously.

👉 Before you add another toy to the collection, try these eight clever ways to make the toys your kids already own feel brand new again.

Here's a parenting win you probably didn't see coming: That ordinary trip to the grocery store might actually be teaching your kids some pretty valuable life skills.

Research highlighted by the University of Alberta this month explores how children develop food literacy through everyday experiences, including shopping, cooking and making decisions about what they eat. And food literacy isn't just about knowing which foods are nutritious. It's also about understanding how to choose, prepare and enjoy food.

So up the ante: Let your preschooler pick between two vegetables, ask your school-aged child to find the ingredients for dinner or challenge your tween to plan a meal on a budget. These little tasks can help kids build confidence and independence around food. Your grocery trip will almost certainly take longer, but at least you can call it an educational experience.

👉 Getting kids involved in meal planning is a great start, but making family dinners happen is another story. These six clever meal-planning hacks can help make the whole process a little easier.

Your child has a new best friend, and you're...less than enthusiastic. Your spidey senses are tingling and you don't necessarily know why yet. But before you make your feelings known, consider this: A study published in Child Development earlier this year suggests that your disapproval might have more influence than you realize.

Researchers followed 394 children aged nine to 14 and found that friendships were more likely to end when kids believed their mothers disapproved of them. Interestingly, the effect wasn't necessarily because the child decided their mom was right. Instead, perceived maternal disapproval was associated with the other child feeling less supported in the friendship, which could contribute to its eventual breakdown.

But here's the catch: Ending a friendship you don't approve of isn't necessarily a parenting win. Previous research suggests that parental interference in friendships can lead to resentment, defiance and strain on the parent-child relationship. So unless there are genuine concerns about your child's safety or well-being, it might be worth asking what they like about their friend before sharing what you don't.

👉 Knowing when to step in and when to give your child space isn't always easy. Here's how to recognize enmeshment parenting and why healthy boundaries matter.