🍎 I have not been a fan of Halloween since my initial teaching days. Of course, the little kids Halloween costumes are adorable and it IS fun to see them get excited about being part of a holiday and festivities. Really, that’s where it stops for me. As a teacher, I looked at it as valuable time lost teaching both before and the sugar hang over the day after.
Today, Halloween can be a stressful event for parents who have to try to allow their kiddos to have fun, while being extremely concerned for their safety. Parents raising kids right now have their hands full. Remember YOU are in charge and the protector of your child, no matter how old they are. Decide as parents what is safe and right for your child, sleep on it, contact others parents if your plans involve other kiddos, like a gathering at your home rather than a night trick or treating. If they are at your home, YOU have control, deciding who comes in and what food/snack/treats kids will be served/exposed to, which leaves less up to chance. (Check backpacks of those coming in and for older kids, any drink containers that could have alcohol-if there is an accident and the kids were at your house and there was alcohol involved, it could be a dangerous situation and you could could be responsible. NO I’m not being paranoid, these things happen. Beware.) Make sure you have adequate supervision, enlisting other parents for help. Make a commitment, as a group to keep your kids safe. It’s not that you don’t trust your kids, it’s that you don’t trust the world to keep them safe. Like Corrie Ten Boom once said, (paraphrasing here) “you would never give your child a large suitcase that was too heavy to carry, why would you expose them to situations they are too inexperienced or unequipped to handle on their own.” To socialize with friends/peers in a safe setting with adult supervision and treats/food you know is safe and where it comes from, is an opportunity to teach kids to be aware of their safety and surroundings.
Your child’s safety and wellbeing is much more important than making sure they are part of the group or “in crowd.” Do not succumb to parental peer pressure, as in “The other parents are letting their kids do____________. Do what is right for your child. If you get an uneasy feeling about something, there is probably a reason. Kids are smart and will take the lead from YOU. If they are old enough to understand, explain to them that Halloween can be fun however, it also can be an opportunity for people to do harm. Being forwarned is to be forearmed. The ball is in YOUR court and good choices make for many Great Days 🍎
