Blisters abound, sugar levels soar, dehydration ensues, and next thing you know, what started as a fun, festive night feels more like a ghoulish nightmare.
The uncomfortable truth is that Halloween costumes are often flimsy and lack the insulation needed to stave off a brisk autumn chill. Kids’ candy bags can quickly become over-stuffed to the point of creating a cascade of candy—and tears—as the evening wears on.
Before you turn into a witch or a warlock, remember, the key to enjoying the night is as simple as rallying the troops in advance, going over your expectations, and getting prepared for anything that might go amiss. Here are some tips from a mom who has literally been around the block a few times.
Split into age groups. Have one parent take one age group and the other parent take the other age group. Tweens like to run in packs and they move fast, so wear sneakers and layers you can lose, if you plan on keeping up with them. Toddlers and preschoolers may dawdle or tire quickly, so choose the more patient parent to accompany them. Or consider taking two shifts, one earlier in the evening for younger kids and another later in the evening for older kids, trading off who stays home to hand out candy.
Wear a backpack. Maybe it seems extreme to gear up as though you are going for an overnight hike just to walk a few blocks around the neighborhood. However, the weather is fickle this time of year, and once you grab everything you need for a pleasant evening, you will be amazed by how much stuff you have to tote. Don’t be surprised if your kids shed pieces of their costumes as the excitement heats up. A shoulder bag may feel fine for the first fifteen minutes of the night, but after two-hours, you will likely wish you had brought the backpack.
Invest in warm and dry. Your evening could end prematurely if there is a sudden windstorm or rain shower. If your kids have on enough layers underneath their costumes, they won’t falter even if they get a little wet. If you are walking with young children, bring a large umbrella, and keep a couple of compact umbrellas in your pack for older kids.
Eat high-protein dinners. ‘Tis the season for over-indulging in sugar, which means it’s more important than any other time of year to emphasize healthy high-protein meals. After Halloween, be sure to give your kids limits on how much sugar they may consume between meals. Take their candy away and ration it out yourself if they don’t comply with your limits or can’t seem to wean themselves off the sugar roller coaster.
Practice their refrains. Commit to making the night pleasant for all. “Trick-or-treat!” and “Thank you!” are the only things young children need to be able to say their first couple of years out. Encourage older children to be more cordial. Try “Happy Halloween!” or “Have a great night!” before they head off to the next house.
Be prepared. Plastic and paper bags are the most likely to rip or tear. Pillowcases are better, but these too may split open when stuffed. Whatever they carry, stuff a few extra bags in your backpack in case you need replacements. Also carry band-aids for blisters, water for hydration, and cash on hand in case you come across a food cart selling something you might enjoy. You may also want to bring lip balm, protein-rich snacks, and extra flashlight batteries.
Aim for the middle. If you are driving to a friend’s neighborhood, consider parking your vehicle in the middle of the neighborhood instead of on the edge or back at the friend’s house. This way, if you need to make an early exit for any reason, you’ll be that much closer to your escape car. When bringing along very young children with older children, consider bringing a stroller or wagon. Even if the kids insist they don’t need one, they might want one later after exhaustion sets in.
Use social sense. No one likes to feel left out, so encourage your kids to invite new or shy kids who might not already be part of a group to join you. Or, if you know that you will all have a better time if it’s just you and your kids, don’t feel bad about breaking off from a group. Halloween is a great opportunity to teach kids about doing what works best for your family rather than always going along with the crowd.
Happy Halloween!