This is one of those topics that always makes me sort of shake my head. We often think kids are growing up too fast, are too grown up too soon, yet we snatch away something as simple as dressing up and running around the neighborhood because they are "too old" for it.
I say let 'em trick or treat as long as they like, with two basic rules: they MUST make an effort to actually dress up creatively and they MUST be respectful at all times. Many a time I've seen surly teens, no costume, begging for candy. Nope, won't allow that (and we save the starlight mints, one only, just for them). But a teen who is being creative and goofy dressed up as whatever his imagination allowed, I'm all about the good clean fun inherent in that!
I go to my sister's house for T or T, and if a kid comes to her door without a costume we make them sing or dance for us! I'm not joking either, and what's funny is that most of them will do so, and will laugh at themselves and have fun!
Bottom line: as long as a kid wants to trick or treat and does so in the proper spirit of things (I will also say that I have never allowed my children really gory/scary outfits), with the right attitude, I say let them. If it evolves into outright begging with no costume, they won't be allowed.
My son wants to answer the door this year, so we'll get him a goofy (not too scary) mask to entertain the kids with. If he wants to go to a few houses, I'm OK with that too.
My 10 year old is still very much into dress up and will definitely want to go trick or treating with her cousin.
I totally agree with you on this one! Also, what's really scary is if you have your son sit out by the front door with his mask on, just sitting there not saying a thing with the candy in his lap. Kids won't know what to expect when they come up to him. I've seen people do this before and it's an easy way to be scary, but not too scary!
I absolutely agree, Nancy! As long as they are respectful and making some effort to dress up, let them be kids. Heck, I've had parents of really, really young kids come by in full costume and I give them EXTRA candy! :)
I did have a kid a couple years ago who must have been 17, he was not dressed up, and he came to my door smoking a cigarette and had the nerve to say, "Trick or Treat." I said, "You have to be kidding me," but I did give him one tiny piece of candy from my bowl -- because I was home alone at the time and he kind of freaked me out!
i would allow jackie to go if she wanted but since she will not be home it does not matter. I dont know if I will be giving out candy or not. I have not really decided. I have in the past but i dont know
Our city puts an age limit on it, they can trick-or-treat through age 12.
So, that means, if Aly chooses to, she can go this year & next, but that will be the end of actually getting candy. Older kids tend to still walk the neighborhood, but not go for candy.
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This is one of those topics that always makes me sort of shake my head. We often think kids are growing up too fast, are too grown up too soon, yet we snatch away something as simple as dressing up and running around the neighborhood because they are "too old" for it.
I say let 'em trick or treat as long as they like, with two basic rules: they MUST make an effort to actually dress up creatively and they MUST be respectful at all times. Many a time I've seen surly teens, no costume, begging for candy. Nope, won't allow that (and we save the starlight mints, one only, just for them). But a teen who is being creative and goofy dressed up as whatever his imagination allowed, I'm all about the good clean fun inherent in that!
I go to my sister's house for T or T, and if a kid comes to her door without a costume we make them sing or dance for us! I'm not joking either, and what's funny is that most of them will do so, and will laugh at themselves and have fun!
Bottom line: as long as a kid wants to trick or treat and does so in the proper spirit of things (I will also say that I have never allowed my children really gory/scary outfits), with the right attitude, I say let them. If it evolves into outright begging with no costume, they won't be allowed.
My son wants to answer the door this year, so we'll get him a goofy (not too scary) mask to entertain the kids with. If he wants to go to a few houses, I'm OK with that too.
My 10 year old is still very much into dress up and will definitely want to go trick or treating with her cousin.
I'm with Nancy on this topic.
Sherina wants to be a ghost & go trick-or-treating.
I think
I absolutely agree, Nancy! As long as they are respectful and making some effort to dress up, let them be kids. Heck, I've had parents of really, really young kids come by in full costume and I give them EXTRA candy! :)
I did have a kid a couple years ago who must have been 17, he was not dressed up, and he came to my door smoking a cigarette and had the nerve to say, "Trick or Treat." I said, "You have to be kidding me," but I did give him one tiny piece of candy from my bowl -- because I was home alone at the time and he kind of freaked me out!
I dont know if I will be giving out candy or not. I have not really decided. I have in the past but i dont know
Our city puts an age limit on it, they can trick-or-treat through age 12.
So, that means, if Aly chooses to, she can go this year & next, but that will be the end of actually getting candy. Older kids tend to still walk the neighborhood, but not go for candy.
Pages