Happy Halloween!
The time for trick-or-treating is almost here. And, in my household at least, the anticipation is building! It is an opportunity to dress up in costume, to enjoy the creative decorations and of course to collect candy. That is what makes Halloween fun, right?
But, what if you have a child that cannot have candy because of food allergies, or other dietary reasons. Or what if you have a child who is afraid of the scary costumes and spooky decorations? Here are a few ideas to make the night more enjoyable despite these concerns:
Think Outside the Candy Wrapper:
Whether your child has food allergies or you just don't want them to eat 10 pounds of candy, there are some ways to avoid massive candy consumption without spoiling the fun of trick-or-treating:
Support the troops:
You can take your excess candy to a participating dentist and your child will receive money or toys in exchange. The candy will then be sent to our troops overseas. For more information and for a participating dentist near you check out: http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/
Set up your own candy market at home:
Give your child the opportunity to trade in their candy for healthier/safer options, toys, or money.
Making Halloween less Spooky:
If you are worried about how your child will respond to some of the scary decorations or costumes, prepare him ahead of time. Take your child to see the decorations when it is light out. Let your child know that there might be some spooky costumes or decorations on Halloween, you will be with them and keep them safe. Tell them these spooky things are not real, but understand that your child still might be afraid of them. Be patient and don't push them beyond their comfort level. Keep them close, listen to your children and avoid costumes and decorations that are too scary for your child. And, trick or treating does not need to be a marathon. Young children especially will be happy trick or treating at a few houses then returning home to survey their loot and enjoy passing out candy to the trick or treaters that come to your home. Read your child's cues when she is ready to go home.
I hope you and your family have a happy, healthy and safe Halloween!
The time for trick-or-treating is almost here. And, in my household at least, the anticipation is building! It is an opportunity to dress up in costume, to enjoy the creative decorations and of course to collect candy. That is what makes Halloween fun, right?
But, what if you have a child that cannot have candy because of food allergies, or other dietary reasons. Or what if you have a child who is afraid of the scary costumes and spooky decorations? Here are a few ideas to make the night more enjoyable despite these concerns:
Think Outside the Candy Wrapper:
Whether your child has food allergies or you just don't want them to eat 10 pounds of candy, there are some ways to avoid massive candy consumption without spoiling the fun of trick-or-treating:
Support the troops:
You can take your excess candy to a participating dentist and your child will receive money or toys in exchange. The candy will then be sent to our troops overseas. For more information and for a participating dentist near you check out: http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/
Set up your own candy market at home:
Give your child the opportunity to trade in their candy for healthier/safer options, toys, or money.
Making Halloween less Spooky:
If you are worried about how your child will respond to some of the scary decorations or costumes, prepare him ahead of time. Take your child to see the decorations when it is light out. Let your child know that there might be some spooky costumes or decorations on Halloween, you will be with them and keep them safe. Tell them these spooky things are not real, but understand that your child still might be afraid of them. Be patient and don't push them beyond their comfort level. Keep them close, listen to your children and avoid costumes and decorations that are too scary for your child. And, trick or treating does not need to be a marathon. Young children especially will be happy trick or treating at a few houses then returning home to survey their loot and enjoy passing out candy to the trick or treaters that come to your home. Read your child's cues when she is ready to go home.
I hope you and your family have a happy, healthy and safe Halloween!
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