With all the different Halloween parties at school, for sports teams and at friends' homes, our kids are getting absolutely smothered in sweets this time of the year. Sometimes, I worry about the effects of all that sugar on my little guy's health, so I put together ideas for a candy-free Halloween. Don't worry, though. Just because you're losing the sweets doesn't mean you can't have fun!

Enter the Sugar Fairy
If your kids are still young enough, introduce them to the Sugar Fairy. When they come back with bags bulging with candy, have them pick out their 10-20 favorites. Then, leave the rest out for the "Sugar Fairy." She'll come in the night, take the sack of sweets and replace it with a gift. And if your kids are older, the gift/bribe will still work when the fairy ruse doesn't. Donate the leftovers bags of goodies to a local food pantry.

Cash for Candy
Many dentists run Halloween promotions where they'll pay your little ones for bringing in candy. Usually, they'll set a price per pound to promote a cavity-free holiday (We all know that the dentist's chair is way scarier than any ghost or ghoul, right?). Check in with your local office to see if they're running a candy exchange this year.

Passing Out Playthings
Help your whole neighborhood stay candy-free by replacing the usual basket o' treats with fun toy giveaways. Hand out mini-Play-Doh containers, temporary tattoos, glow sticks, or spooky wax fangs. Your local dollar store should have no end of cheap goodies to help break up the candy monopoly.

Host a Throwback Harvest Party
Way, way, way back in the day, we weren't buried under mountains of sugary temptations every holiday. Bring back some of the old-fashioned games with a fall Harvest Party—bob for apples, carve pumpkins and build a homemade "fright alley" that the neighborhood kids can run themselves. They'll be having so much fun that they won't notice there's not an ounce of sugar in sight!

Alt. Candy
The list of edible candy alternatives to pass out at your front door or bring to parties seems endless: raisin boxes, chip bags, trail mix, snack bars, roasted pumpkin seeds, and dried fruit should get you started. Start a new holiday tradition and get your kids involved in healthy baking and snack-making. They'll be proud to show off their own creations and have fun doing it, too!

If you have little ones with food allergies among your family or friends, Halloween can be a tough time for them since so many types of candy include traces of nuts or gluten. Check out this Care.com article on kids, food allergies and Halloween.

Are you trying to cut out the candy this Halloween? Or just trying to find a few alternatives to keep the kids (and yourself) healthy this fall? Let me know by joining the conversation with a comment below!

Last week, I read an article about four infants dying in China after drinking melamine-tainted, powdered milk. It was incredibly sad. Melamine is the same dangerous chemical that's been popping up in candy content worldwide.

With Halloween around the corner and our little guy full of excitement about trick or treating, should we be concerned about the candy that our kids get? Here are a few pointers to make sure our little ones stay happy and safe while they're out trick or treating.

Staying Melamine-Free
The media focused most of its attention regarding melamine-tainted candy to Cadbury's and their famous, yummy Crème Eggs. The good news about the health scandal is that the dangerous, China-made chocolates weren't exported to the United States, so all of those goodies are safe here. However, the FDA has found melamine in the lesser-known White Rabbit Candies made by QFCO—both in California and Connecticut. Watch out for that brand and don't let your kids eat it!

Dangers for the Little, Little Ones
Many treats can be choking hazards for your young ones. Watch out for oversized gum balls, lollipops, hard candy and, yes, popcorn. Stick to chocolates, cookies or even fruit smoothies and chocolate milk when it comes to Halloween treats for tots.

Also, did you know that peanut allergies have doubled over the past five years? If your toddler hasn't been tested yet, it's a good idea to take away all trick or treat loot containing nuts. Check the labels for all the candy you take in if your child is allergic—I was surprised to find out that even jelly beans can contain peanut flour! To help keep protests down, stock up on safe candy in advance and swap it with your child—piece for piece—and keep the peace! Check out this Care.com article about kids and food allergies during Halloween, too.

Just Toss It
This is basic advice, but it's always a good reminder to immediately throw away unwrapped candy or pieces that have ripped or opened packaging. Wash and slice any fruit, too, to protect your children from anything that might have been slipped inside. Use your judgment on homemade goodies, as well—if it's not from someone you know, throw it away.

Talk to Your Kids
Before you head out trick or treating, have a safety chat with your kids. Have them watch out for anything suspicious. Tell them not to eat anything until you've inspected it first, after you get home. Prepping your little ones to wait to eat their loot in advance will save you from any meltdowns while on the candy trail. Since they won't be sampling any of their goodies while collecting, bring some of their favorite treats along to munch.

Halloween is so much fun for the kids. They're so cute when they're all dressed up! What are some of the things you do to keep the little ones are safe this time of year? Share your thoughts in a comment below!

Also, check out prior posts on safe costumes for kids and Halloween pet safety.

Have a spook-tacular holiday!

"Mom, how much money is $700 billion?" the little guy asked the other day on the way to school. He'd overheard us talking about the bailout plan and, as usual, had a non-stop stream of questions. We took the opportunity to talk to him about the dangers of borrowing too much and ways to save money. Our little financial adviser even had some of his own suggestions, but we’re not going to start charging his big brother, Ryan, for rent anytime soon.

It's important to talk to your kids about everything that's going on, but discussing money is never simple. Here are a few ways to make the conversation easier:

Be Honest and Have an Open Exchange
It's okay to talk about the big stuff with your kids. When you do, be open and direct, responding to all of their questions. If they stump you, admit you don't know everything, but say, "Let's go try and find the answer together."

If things are starting to tighten up with your family budget, definitely share that with your little ones, as well. If your kids are like our boys, their hearing is like sonar and they'll find out anyway. You may as well be proactive.

Our kids want to be treated like adults—whether they’re eight or 18. Finances are definitely an adult-world issue, but you may be surprised by how much of this "big people stuff" they can handle. Make the talk an equal exchange, not a lecture, and listen to their ideas and suggestions.

Be Reassuring
Our children look to us to provide for their needs, both physical and emotional. If you're facing tough times, stress to your kids how much you love them and how your family will pull through together. Being a family and caring for each other transcends the checkbook—make sure they know that.

Seize the Day
This crisis actually holds potential for great learning opportunities. The next time a story about the economy comes on TV, point it out to the kids and have them watch with you. If you're balancing your checkbook, invite them to sit down and work the calculator. When out grocery shopping, have the little ones compare prices on generic and name-brand products, clip coupons, and spot sales. When we're eating out and our little guy asks for a soda, we'll ask him, "Would you rather have a soda or a dollar in your piggy bank?" You can easily use these daily activities as simple ways to teach your kids what it means to make smart, practical money decisions. It's a lesson that will stick if you’re engaging.

Make Sure Your Caregivers Are Aware of the Lessons
Talk to your babysitters and caregivers about the lessons you're teaching your kids. If you don't typically buy them whatever they point out at the grocery store, then you should certainly let your babysitter know that. Make sure that your kids are constantly seeing similar adult behavior from their role models—that means you and their nanny.

Check Out These Great Resources:

• Financial expert Dave Ramsey’s kids' site, "Junior’s Clubhouse" has a bunch of games and lessons designed to help our little ones learn about money.
• Kidnexions has free, kid-friendly finance software. Help your children track where their allowances are going and how to start saving.
• Our friends at FamilyEducation.com have put together a nice collection of articles on the little ones and finances for these difficult times.
• This Wall Street Journal article has great tips for offering an older child a loan (and making sure they pay it back!).
• Last, but not least, here’s a list of great money books for kids on Amazon.com.

What you teach your children about money will follow them for the rest of their lives. Financial responsibility is one of the most important things you can pass on to your children, so take the time to talk.

How do you handle "the money talk" in your own family? Share your thoughts and experiences on the financial crisis with the entire Care.com community by posting a comment!

For Part 1 of the cost-saving series, click here.