The air is finally crisp and the leaves are beginning to turn - soon they will be the bright colors of fall. It is a great time to get outside for autumn family activities – doing social distancing and wearing a mask!

Check out “A very special election coming" for ideas and activities to teach kids of every age about elections, a long list of ways for your family to welcome fall and some relevant questions with answers for the parents of teens.
 
The October special section is Family Health and Safety. Editorial includes tips on selecting a pediatrician or a family doctor for your kids and what to do if you disagree with your doctor’s diagnosis.
By Ann K. Howley

It is time for spooky Halloween tales. Whether or not you take your family on a real paranormal adventure, Halloween is the time of year where everyone likes to celebrate the spooky. Right now, it seems likely that the coronavirus might disrupt our usual Halloween traditions, like trick-or-treating. But that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the spirit of the season with a few Pittsburgh ghost stories.

So in true Halloween spirit, I share with you my favorite Pittsburgh paranormal mysteries. It doesn’t matter whether these tales are true or not, they are certainly fun. So save the Halloween candy for later. Make some hot chocolate, cuddle with your kids on the couch, turn off the lights, switch on a flashlight, and read on…

Click on PittsburghParent.com to read more!
Scary Good … Take the fear out of trying unfamiliar produce
Courtesy of Family Features

Try some Green Slime Nacho Cups or how about a Slippery Slimy Smoothie? Introducing kids to unfamiliar flavors does not have to be a frightful experience. Getting creative and taking cues from some beloved characters may be all it takes for families to explore produce in a new way and discover how delicious, satisfying and enjoyable fresh fruits and vegetables can be. 

A passion for produce may begin with America’s favorites, like bananas, apples, citrus, celery, carrots and broccoli, but that’s just the beginning. 

Whether it’s their angry names and tough exteriors, or simply a fear of the unknown about taste and preparation, dozens more diverse and exotic fruits and vegetables like dragon fruit, horned melon and Brussels sprouts are often the sources of produce paranoia. 

Click on PittsburghParent.com to read more!
TikTok: What parents need to know about online safety
By Nicki Escudero

If you’re familiar with Vine, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube or any other type of video-based social network, then you’ve probably heard about TikTok. The mobile social media application is a video platform that enables users to create short videos of a minute or less to entertain other users in the online community, as well as the user’s own followers.

The fast-growing social media platform reported more than 800 million monthly active users as of April 2020, beating out social media giants like Reddit, Snapchat, Twitter and Pinterest to snag the number seven spot out of most popular social media networks. That’s pretty impressive for a brand that’s relatively new on the scene.

Click on PittsburghParent.com to read more!

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