How to Keep Kids Safe This Halloween
AP
This Halloween millions of kids will be dressing up to trick-or-treat. So, how do you keep your child safe?
"Early Show" contributor and parenting expert Shannon Eis gives her advice to CNET's Natali del Conte in this week's "Eye on Parenting" webshow.
Halloween Movies for Kids of All Ages
Click on the video below for her helpful tips for children of all ages.
Halloween-Themed TV Episodes: What's in Store
Chris Colfer as Riff Raff in "The Rocky Horror Glee Show" episode of "Glee."
/ Adam Rose/FOX(Credit: Adam Rose/FOX )NEW YORK (CBS) A bevy of TV shows are getting spooky in anticipation of Halloween.
Tonight, "Glee" will pay tribute to "Rocky Horror," when Mr. Schuester decides to have the glee club put on a production of "The Rocky Horror Show" after discovering that Emma is a new fan of the cult classic. The kids will perform hits from the show including "The Time Warp" and "Damn It, Janet."
Pictures: "Glee" in GQ
Pictures: Favorite Halloween Movies
Special Section: Halloween Fright Site
How to Save Your Kids' Teeth This Halloween
AP Photo
By Dr. Jennifer Salzer
It's hard to find a child who doesn't love holidays -- especially holidays that are accompanied with heaps of candy and treats, like Halloween. But with tooth decay still recognized as the most common chronic childhood disease, it is important to teach children about proper oral hygiene and what they can do to maintain a healthy smile.
As a mom of a four children, I know how hard it can be to get kids to embrace a good oral care regimen on a day-to-day basis.
The following are my suggested tips for helping your children make his or her "sweet tooth" doesn't turn into a "toothache" this Halloween:Continue »
Halloween Movies: What Can Your Kids Watch?
AP/CBS
While everyone knows violence and gore are not appropriate for young children, even some movies that are aimed at families can be upsetting to some sensitive children. Remember that fire scene in Walt Disney's "Bambi"? There were a lot of youngsters who had nightmares after that.
PICTURES: Movies for Kids of All Ages
It's a good idea to watch the movie with you children so you can see the impact it has and so that you will be able to halt it , if it proves too scary , or discuss some of the scenes that appear to trouble your youngsters.
Remember , the idea is to have fun, not nightmares.
Halloween [PICTURES] Movies for Kids of All Ages
AP/CBS
Halloween movies are fun for kids as they anticipate the holiday. And popping one into the video player may be the perfect end to a night of trick-or-treating.
But what are the best Halloween movies for kids? Which ones will give them goosebumps but not nightmares?
PICTURES: Halloween Movies for Kids of All Ages
Continue »Fun and Simple Halloween Costumes On-the-Cheap!
A child models a viking costume in our "Eye on Parenting" webshow.
/ CBSBut never fear!
In this week's "Eye on Parenting" webshow, CNET's Natali del Conte and FamilyFun magazine's Deb Geigis Berry shared some ghoulishly fun costumes you can do yourself at home with your child.
From a no-sew washing machine costume to a do-it-yourself hippie wig, with homemade costumes, your child will learn about crafts, as well share some quality time with you customizing their unique holiday look.
Young Fashion Designer "Most Insufferable Child Alive"?
Cecilia Cassini on "The Nate Berkus Show."
/ The Nate Berkus Show(CBS/AP) Cecilia Cassini is a lauded 11-year-old fashion designer for the stars. She's created looks for Miley Cyrus, "Twilight" star Ashley Greene and "Big Love" actress Bella Thorne. But has she also claimed the title of "the most insufferable child alive" (via The Gothamist)?
Continue »Obamas Face Sasha, Malia's Parent-Teacher Conferences
President Barack Obama, left, and first lady Michelle Obama walk across the tarmac to greet supporters at the Port Columbus International Airport Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio.
/ AP Photo/Terry GilliamPresident Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, are attending parent-teacher conferences for both of their daughters.
Continue »Octomom: I'm Not Losing My House
Nadya Suleman, the mother of octuplets, is shown leaving her mother's home Friday Feb. 27, 2009 in Whittier, Calif. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
/ AP Photo/Nick UtSuleman, who lives in the La Habra home with her 14 children, told KROQ radio on Thursday that she is no longer in imminent danger of losing her house.
Suleman lawyer's said last month that she was considering going on welfare to make ends meet.
Amer Haddadin, the man who has been threatening to foreclose, told the Orange County Register that he decided to accept (Canadian) $6,500 for September and October house payments because he knows Suleman is strapped for money.
A (Canadian) $450,000 balloon payment still looms.
Suleman gave birth to the world's only living set of octuplets in 2009.
Superheroes, Princesses Remain Top Kids Halloween Costumes
This product courtesy of iParty shows a pirate costume. A survey conducted by BIGresearch for the National Retail Federation showed that classic costumes, like pirates, are still hot this Halloween season.
/ AP Photo/iParty(AP) The princess has held her reign over popular girl's costumes for the last six years, and she's not budging.
In fact, while princess is No. 1, "Disney princess" is No. 5 with its variety of tiara-sporting royalty: Tinkerbell, Snow White, Belle, Tiana and, Disney predicts, Rapunzel from Disney's forthcoming animated feature, "Tangled."
Other popular options for girls include Jessie from "Toy Story," witches, gypsies and mermaids.
Superheros are still a strong choice for boys, including Spiderman, but so are pirates, the Mario Brothers and Toy Story, specifically Buzz Lightyear. He made his way into the top picks for the first time this year.
"Buzz, Woody and Jessie are big for us this year, and even the toddler costume of Rex," said Molly Adams, vice president and general manager of Disney Store North America.
Ladybugs and bumblebees are other tops for toddlers.
Retailers said not much has changed in the kids category, although some are seeing a rise in retro, '80s costumes and even goth costumes for kids.
"One difference for boys," said Ginnaty of Savers, "is that while heroes like Wolverine and Spiderman are still strong for boys, we're also selling the personal heroes: the combat soldier, the firefighter and the policeman."
MORE TRENDS
For the family that Halloweens together: A ghostly group. A voodoo trio. A pirate brigade. This year, many families are dressing together as a unit.
Chasing Fireflies, a Seattle-based company, has been selling more options for families, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, and mothers and daughters.
"We have vampires as a brother and sister duo, a Greek goddess and gladiator, looks that are expanded to add in Mom and Dad," said Lori Liddle, co-founder of the company.
Chasing Fireflies has also added plus-size costumes and expanded their sizes for growing kids.
"We've sold out of every (children's size) 14 in the house," Liddle said. "I think the market has been pushing kids to be way too old too quickly and parents are pushing them to retain their childhood. It's nice to let them be young and celebrate the childhood part of their life."
Oregon Takes Custody of Faith Healers' Baby
Timothy Wyland, left, 44, and Rebecca Wyland, center, 23, stand in Clackamas County District court for their arraignment by Judge Robert Herndon, charged with criminal mistreatment after their infant daughter, Alayna May Wyland, was discovered with an untreated mass growing over her left eye. The Wylands are members of the Followers of Christ church, which rejects medical care in favor of faith healing, including anointing with oil, laying on hands, prayer and fasting.
/ AP Photo/Pool, Randy L RasmussenThe girl's parents, Timothy and Rebecca Wyland, believe in faith healing and are facing trial in January on charges of failing to provide adequate care.
The Oregonian reports the state has had temporary custody of the girl, Alayna Wyland, since July. She was initially placed in foster care but allowed back in the Wyland home last month under a court order requiring close medical supervision.
The ruling Tuesday in Clackamas County Circuit Court assures a treatment plan and gives the state power to act on the girl's behalf.
The couple is charged with first-degree criminal mistreatment and goes to trial in January.
The Oregonian quoted John Neidig, an attorney representing Rebecca Wyland, who accused Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) of persecuting the Wylands and "trampling" on their religious rights.
He said, "If these people had been Jewish, Catholic ... even Muslim, DHS would have treated them in a different fashion."
But Clackamas County Circuit Judge Douglas Van Dyk said there was no evidence that DHS discriminated against the Wylands .
"It is unhelpful to this case to point fingers," Van Dyk is quoted in the paper as saying. "It is not a church that is before this court. It is the Wylands."
What do you think about this case? What issues of religion versus law are at play here? We welcome your thoughts.
Learn to Parent from the Stars
Reese Witherspoon
/ AP Photo/Carolyn KasterSo what sage advice can you glean from celeb parents' experiences?
PICTURES: Celebs' Parenting Advice
When "Mommy Brain" Strikes
Erica Hill, Co-Anchor, Saturday Edition <i>The Early Show</i>
/ CBSI always took pride in my steel trap memory. I could remember the name of a person I'd met for 15 seconds, and most likely tell you what he or she was wearing. I could recall a weeknight dinner menu from 1992. I love "to do" lists, but didn't often need to write them down, but I made them so I could cross things off. Then, I got pregnant.
"Prego brain" seemed to pop up here and there during my first pregnancy. I would forget little details, things at the store, seemingly normal moments when we all blank. After my older son was born, I noticed it stuck around, morphing into "Mommy Brain." I heard it would go away when I stopped nursing, but when I dropped Weston's final feeding at 13 months, I couldn't seem to shake the temporary moments of forgetfulness.
Fast-forward to pregnancy and baby No. 2, and I am now convinced there is something to this folklore. Names? Forget it. I can remember the news (thankfully!), I can remember teeny tidbits about guests on the show, but I find myself blanking on names more than ever. It's becoming an embarrassment. I also forget what I am doing far more often than I should. Example? Nearly every night I am in the middle of making dinner and feeding my younger son when my older son will ask for a drink. When I reach for a cup, it triggers something that reminds me to feed the dog. Before I know it, Weston is still thirsty, the dog is hungry, something is boiling on the stove and I'm folding laundry.
There is an upside to my newfound nuttiness: my boys. I wouldn't take that steel trap back for anything, if it meant giving up those sweet little boys. And when you think about it, the idea of "Mommy Brain" makes sense. We're all juggling -- work, kids, aging parents, pets, the PTA, trying to fit in the workout you need, a trip to the grocery store, two minutes to yourself. And with all those responsibilities on the brain, with other lives counting on you, of course our brains start to overload. If memories and moments with my kids are taking over the area once reserved for "names of people met at a cocktail party," I'm happy to give up that real estate. And, yes, every now and then, I just may play the "Mommy Brain" card, but I'll never tell.
Take Better Photos of Your Kids This Fall
Tamara Lackey
For every family experiencing those once-in-a-lifetime moments - from trick-or-treat excitement to a chilly day spent snuggled up on the couch - professional photographer and best-selling author Tamara Lackey offers parents a handful of simple tips and tricks to help them capture their children beautifully using only a point-and-shoot digital camera.
Follow Lackey's top 10 tips for transforming photos of your children and family from good to great:
Continue »Boy Meets Groundhog
Punxsutawney Phil
/ CBS