Every year, some article cracks a joke about how we warn our kids not to take candy from strangers, yet on Halloween, we take them door to door to ask stranger for candy. Well, let’ just say I won’t point out the obvious, shall we? Because in all honesty, let’s get over that cliche used by writers the world over, and face it, that’s what Halloween is all about!
I do believe that the candy we receive from our neighbors is the least of our worries when it comes to our children’s safety on Halloween, other than the hyper active behavior and sugar rushes that ensue for weeks after that magical night. So I came up with a few new tips for Halloween, threw in some old goodies, and here’s my list for the year!
1. Reiterate to our children that we would never go into someone else’s home that we don’t know, even if they ask you in for candy. Remind them to stay on the doorstep.
2. Speaking of reminding, let’s practice those manners, shall we? Just because we’re giving out candy, doesn’t mean that the adults don’t want to hear a thank-you!
3. Halloween Manners 101: don’t go to houses that are dark. Having a talk with kids before Halloween about how some people don’t celebrate it and won’t be giving out candy is a great way to prevent those dark doors from being hammered on.
4. Review street safety, looking both ways, making sure vehicle stop for them, etc.
5. Parents, this one is for you, from me. PARK THE CAR! Don’t be one of those parents who is driving slooowly along the street watching your kids trick or treat. Your idling vehicles smell up the block, are bad for the environment, frustrate parents on the sidewalk who are trying to cross the road and generally are a nuisance. Go green this year and walk! And don’t give me the ” it’s too cold”, if I, who live in one of the cities renowned for miserable Halloween weather (I am looking at snow outside as I write this morning!) can get out and walk it, you can too!
6. Meet your neighbors. Since you are walking this year, take the chance to pop up there with your kids, say hello, compliment them on their decorations, and 9 times out of 10, score your own candy.
7. The old adage used to to tell our kids to find a police officer for help. Well, I have yet to see one in my neighborhood, just strolling about to help kids on Halloween. Talking to your kids about finding an adult who is out with kids is probably a much smarter idea, just the same as teaching kids when lost to look for a mom with kids to help them.
8. Check your children’s treats as usual!
I hope everyone has a ghoulish, ghostly and fun-filled Halloween! Parents, enjoy raiding your kids candy stash, it’s my favorite part of the night!