Tricks for Making Halloween a Treat!
By the time October arrives, most families feel like they have found their stride with the hectic pace of “back to school.”
Classroom expectations have been established, and afterschool activities are in full swing. However, at about the same time, the focus begins to turn to Halloween. It’s an exciting time for children, but can become stressful for families. Going trick-or-treating (especially on a weeknight), can result in kids being over-stimulated (and then melting down like a chocolate bar left in a hot car!)
If you have little ones, it can be a challenge to figure out how much “celebrating” is really necessary. Costumes can be confusing for young children, and being out in the “dark” can be scary. Overall, the pace of the night can be overwhelming. It can be especially hard when families have children who are in different stages of understanding what Halloween is about.
Here are a few strategies for getting through this spooky season:
Set an early deadline for costume selection. Once a deadline is set, stick to it! This helps make sure that there are no last-minute changes (and helps minimize disappointment!)
Reframe the focus of trick-or-treating. (For our family, Halloween was the time when we went to visit our neighbors that we may not see as much once winter arrived.)
Consider celebrating with non-food treat options, such as pencils and stickers. (We are a family impacted by food allergies, so most types of candy are not viable treats!)
Create “boo” bags to deliver to friends and family. (We put together goody bags and drop them off, independent of Halloween night.)
Clarify expectations regarding behavior, such as walking with friends/family, consuming candy, and respecting social cues. (Adjust your expectations for yourself as well! There’s no need to create a Halloween that is "p*interest worthy!”)
Most of all, it’s helpful to remember that the excitement of Halloween can make all of us feel like kids again!