to think that trick or treating for three year olds is not right

[estobi1]

My lo has been invited to a halloween party which I thought would be fun and I accepted to be told that they were going to go trick or treating afterwards. I feel awkward about it - bit scary at that age, don'tlike the idea of her walking around in the dark (5pm and obviously with adults) essentially begging. I then feel like a total hypocrite because it is harmless fun and I always have sweets ready for the kids that knock and think they are quite cute. How do I politely decline or am I being ridiculous? My DH has said he feels the same.

[morningpaper]

With 3 year olds you are surely expected to stay at the party with her, so just leave at the end, before the trick or treating.

[misi]

I don't like the idea of trick or treating full stop!!

[laweaselmys]

I think possibly you are being a teensy bit U.

However, I think we need more details:

How old are the other kids? If they are all 3 then they are probably just going to a couple of mutual friends houses before going back.

[sweetkitty]

I took my 3yo out trick or treating last year just to about a dozen neighbours, she had a ball loved watching all the other older children dressed up running about, I think in this day and age of not really interacting with your neighbours it's nice to see all the kids out in the street having a good time.

It's not really begging as such, we give out sweets to the neighbours kids they give to ours, more like a sway with some fun.

[harpomarx]

no problem with it, three year olds with adults, totally safe, harmless bit of fun. Depends on your child though, if you think he or she will be scared then don't go.

[hoxtonchick]

ha, like i'm going to have a chance of stopping my 3 year old doing exactly what her 6 year old brother does at halloween. normally we have a neighbourhood party & dress up & dance so trick & treating doesn't come into it, but i'd let her do it in a big gang of kids & parents (me there too).

[muggglewump]

I took DD for the first time when she was 3 but then I live on an estate and we just go round our bit where we know everyone.
All the kids go out with parents who often dress up too and a lot of houses have decorations in the wondows to welcome the kids.
It's not begging so much as a mass exchange of treats!
DD loves going out and coming home to answer our door and hand out the goodies.

[Lilyloo]

My dd 3 loved it took her last year on our cul de sac and up to the next one. It was lovely lot's of little ones all doing the same. Basically it was all parents giving a few sweeties to each other .
Not begging depends how it's done i guess!

[Blandmum]

depends how it is done. Where I live (a quietish estate) parents take their kids around and onlty ring on doors of houses that are decorated or have a pumpkin in the window

[LyraSilvertongue]

My three-year-old (now 4) went trick or treating last year with his big brother and a load of other children (accompanied by a group of adults including myself) and he loved it. He dressed as a witch and carried his pumpkin-shaped bucket full of sweeties.
It's just a bit of harmless fun. We only went to houses with a lit pumpkin outside.

[TheCrackFox]

3 does seem a bit young.

In Scotland it is called guising and we used to have turnips and swedes instead of pumpkins. No more Americanisations, please.

We do guising round here but I know all my neighbours and it is pre-arranged.

[LyraSilvertongue]

It's not begging when people buy in sweets especially to give to trick or treaters.

[estobi1]

Thank you for your comments I know people don't mind giving and like I said, I find it sweet when its other peoples children - guess it is a bit of british reserve and old fashioned values! Last year she was quite scared by it all - this year she will be well up for it I am sure being nearly 4, as she keeps reminding me!

I would of course stay with her but leaving is never her strong point let alone leaving early!

[sammybeth]

I took my daughter trick or treating when she was 3 but only to a few neighbours who we knew. This year my son who is only 2 will go as we will take my daughter again (now 5) and he will come along. I dont think its a problem if there are adults supervising them. Also we only now go to houses which have halloween decorations as you know they are happy to recieve trick or treaters.

[pointydog]

whey hey - first Trick or Treat Horror thread of the year

[sweetkitty]

I'm taking my 2 1/2 yo out this year too, my two (DD1 is 4) are already excited about Halloween, they love seeing the decorations in the shops and make me go and see the scary man in Asda

[falcon]

Which part of Scotland are you in Fox if I may ask?

I'm just curious as I've only heard people who are over 60 refer to it as guising, not insinuating anything btw. I'm just wondering if it's a regional thing.

[pointydog]

We've always called it guising too and we are not over 60. Fife, Lothians, central.

[Bettyboobird]

My dd is 3 and every year since she was born we've been invited to a Halloween party hosted by an American friend.

After lots of themed food, all the children and parents go around the village trick or treating. It's great fun, because many families in the village make a huge effort to decorate their porches, windows and front gardens.

We only knock at houses with a pumpkin on display-that is the code that indicates that a family is taking part and has treats to offer!

Harmless fun all round-already looking forward to next month...

[falcon]

Thankyou Pointydog, I wonder if it is a regional thing, I love regionalisms.

I'm a Glaswegian and it's just been my experience that here only elderly people refer to it as that, not saying it's a bad thing to do so.

[FairLadyRantALot]

Wow, people already getting organised for Halloween then....I suppose that shoud be a sign that I need to get organised for ms Birthday then...tis a few days after Halloween...yikes...not long now!

[TheCrackFox]

Falcon -over 60 - flaming cheek! I live in Edinburgh now but grew up Stirlingshire/Perthshire.

Flaming Weegies

[pointydog]

yeah, trumped-up glaswegians wanting to run with the latest fashions all the time