Why we’re not doing Halloween

I’m going to go against the grain tonight… and maybe you’ll think I’m a bit of a party pooper, but this is how I roll. It’s a week til Halloween, and I don’t plan to tell my children about it.

I’ve done Halloween myself plenty of times, Halloween parties, themed days at work, and don’t get my wrong, I know it’s loads of fun. But when it comes to my kids, it’s just well, the fact it’s fun doesn’t convince me to do it. Besides the fact my three year-old isn’t a fan of “scary”, I want my children to understand what they’re celebrating when they do.

We have dress ups in our house, loads in fact. The girls have costumes for nearly every princess and fairy possible, they have personalised superhero capes (that the very talented Trine from Smiley 🙂 Smalls made), a lady bug, a cow costume and many more.

Not a day goes by without someone rummaging in the dress up box. I love seeing the girls take on different roles, imitating different people (or animals!), well – really, Maia just does what she’s told – and using their imaginations. But when it comes to Halloween, it’s just not on my to-do list. And here is why:

• Trick or treating is not something I would do with my children where we live. The idea of visiting strangers asking for treats just doesn’t sit well with me. Perhaps if we lived in a community where we knew everyone on the street it might be different, but right now it’s a no. We teach our children all year-long not to approach strangers, not to speak to strangers, and then on this one night of the year, we change our mind? At three years-old, I know this would just confuse the message that I really want my daughter to remember.
• My kids don’t need the sugary treats. I honestly can’t think of any justification for going out to collect a bag full of chocolates and lollies. I know – you’re saying “it’s a oncer”, “it’s not all the time”, “it’s just a bit of fun”. But actually, I want to teach my kids to have fun without the need for sugary foods. They get treats from their grandparents more than necessary, so I’m quite happy to skip a night of sugar-fueled behaviour.

I just feel if I break it right down, my girls can dress up in costumes any day they like. And if I don’t want them having a sugar overload, what am I left with? I don’t know any children who know the history and background of how Halloween came to be, I doubt they even care. Then we get to the point where it really is a chance for businesses to grab an opportunity and run with it. Decorations, costumes, special treats, Halloween themed everything.

Maybe in a few years time my opinion will change. But for now, as cute as the photos are with little ones dressed up as pumpkins and skeletons and ghosts, we’re going to skip Halloween. 31st October will be just another day in our house. We’ll have dinner at the same time, the girls may play dress ups if they want to, but this year, it won’t be different to any other day.