Halloween Fun
Question:
With Halloween approaching, several parents have raised questions about guidelines for celebrating the holiday in a way that is safe and comfortable. Parents wonder if scary costumes will be too upsetting for young children--or even for older children in the aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks. Others wonder if their children are old enough to go trick-or-treating with friends without adult supervision. And some wonder if the holiday should be scrapped altogether this year.
ANSWER:
Halloween, with its greediness, sugary treats and scary costumes, definitely poses special challenges to parents--challenges that vary with the age of the child. In light of the very real and terrifying threats our country continues to face, this year this spooky holiday is even more uncomfortable for many people of all ages. You and your family will need to decide together how you feel about celebrating the holiday this year. Some of you may decide to substitute a quiet evening of family games and special treats. Or you might want to skip the trick-or-treating and celebrate instead with a costume party at home or at a community center. For many of you, going forward with the typical trick-or-treating routine will feel reassuring. Whatever you decide to do, the following guidelines should help ensure a safe and fun celebration.
For very young children, who can't yet distinguish between real and make-believe, Halloween can be very scary. But many children get into the fun with simple face paint to make them into a gentle character like a bunny, a kitten or a clown. It helps to involve them in deciding what to be, then let them watch the whole process in the mirror as they are transformed into their favorite pretend character.
When other children come to your door in scary costumes, let your young child see who's behind the scary mask, saying, "See, this is our friend Lisa just pretending to be a monster." If your child is still frightened, give him a hug and say it's OK to sit out this holiday.
When trick-or-treating, children should be accompanied by an adult until they are at least nine or ten years old. (The exact age will depend on the maturity and responsibility of the individual child.) After that age, children should go in a group, deciding with parents where they will go and what time they will return. Regardless of the children's ages, they should go only to homes of people they know.
Because masks obscure vision and lead to accidents, makeup is a safer alternative. Oversized costumes can cause children to trip, a danger at any time, but especially when crossing the street.
Children should carry flashlights so they can see and be seen. Candles should be avoided; they are a serious fire hazard, especially with the wigs and flowing costumes that many children wear.
Children should know beforehand that they will only be allowed to keep treats that are in individually sealed packages. Many parents find it helpful to decide with their children ahead of time what the rules will be about how many treats the children can eat at one time. As with so many child-rearing issues, careful planning and clear expectations up front can make Halloween a safer, more enjoyable time for all.
Editor's Note: Dr. Martha Farrell Erickson, director of the University of Minnesota's Children, Youth and Family Consortium, invites your questions on child rearing for possible inclusion in this column. E-mail to mferick@tc.umn.edu or write to Growing Concerns, University of Minnesota News Service, 6 Morrill Hall, 100 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455.
