To not want my children to take part in trick or treating?

[ValerieDavis]

Coming to that dreaded time of year again ... Halloween.

I've fairly strict with my children's diets and I really do not want to take them trick or treating this year. All those sugary sweets are no good for their teeth.

I've spoken with DH about this and he thinks that they've only young once and it's only for one night but the sweets tend to last a couple of weeks and I'm doing it for their own good.

I'm more than happy to buy them costumes and let them dress up and have fun on the day and will let them have a few sweets, just no trick or treating!

AIBU?

"We know you are in, stop being f-ing cruel to our children! It is mean not to give sweets at Halloween!"

Oh purleease

You can't actually be right or wrong on this issue though can you?
I mean I let mine go because they have a giggle, like dressing up and love all the sweets. But then again I am not a parent who thinks sugar is wrong. I let them have sweets and chocolate and cake and the odd takeaway. Dd is 14 now and perfectly heathy and still has no fillings so I figure I can't be too bad. I also think these a huge difference between trick or treating and taking sweets from a stranger on any other evening because they are knocking on the door, not being approached by someone they don't know, therefore to me the stranger danger element doesn't come into it.

However, everyone does not think the same as me. Which is fine. I don't expect them to.

So if you hate trick or treating, or you make sure your DCs do not have any sweets then of course YANBU.

I don't think anyone could tell you otherwise.

I, personally love it and am thrilled we have so many trick or treaters knock on our door.

I don;t like DD going out trick or treating, and Dh really doesn't like it. The sweets aspect doesn't bother me but not keen on her knocking on doors asking for stuff. However, she has been on occasion. It is really popular on our estate and there are loads of children out with parents - and a couple of times DD has gone out with a friend or two for a while. Mind, she;s never really been bothered about the dressing up and heading out. She likes to stay home and hand out sweets to people visiting us. She gets to get some sweets that way too. We always run out after an hour though, sometimes before - despite always having in tons of treats!

OMG shesariver does the area you live in begin with a D? Your house sounds so similar to one a few roads away

There are some quite elderly neighbours here who really go to town too, with dry ice and costumes. It's fab.

I'm a bit sad that ds is too old for it this year.

When DD has been out she only goes to known houses and only to those who are actively encouraging visitors - lit pumpkin or Halloween accessories in window or doorstep, etc. No worries over stranger danger here, or taking sweets from strangers. Also DD would never be without adult supervision - even now at 10 I wouldn't let her out TorT without an adult around.

Ooh ooh shesariver I've got that tape for this year. And cobwebs. And some spooky music that I shall play outside.

Afraid not worra or I would invite you round to see it! Mind you my DH calls Halloween a dress rehearsal for Christmas - you should see the house and garden then!

I can only tell you what they shouted Worra .

I don't live in the nicest area, but even I was shocked by that. It is horrible round here at Halloween.

Jena, the event was taken to America by the Irish immigrants and has changed over the years to the point that no -one even knows what it means, I prefer the traditional event and its meaning which we celebrate more like a Harvest fair thought the kids do dress up and have a bonfire etc, but trick or treating does not happen in my area or as its better known "Halloween Rhymers".

don't take them then. they don't need to go.

I personally hate this time of year. I only know one family on my street with children and I would happily give them something. but most of the people on my street who have children I don't know and they've made no effort to get to know anyone: look right through you when you say good morning etc.but that doesn't stop them making a nuisance every year at Halloween knocking on my door wanting sweets.

Why should I stock up with sweets for strangers children.

I buy loads of those fake webs to and hang them from my hall ceiling, pinning randomly everywhere. We have moved this year so I think we are in a street of our town with less children - but Im still going to decorate!!

Have you made an effort to get to know them

ladybeagleeyes MN should really have your post automatically at the top of each thread moaning about the Americanisation of Halloween

It's one of those occasions where you get to know the neighbours, ime.

I think YANBU. Trick or treating is not a UK tradition or culture and I see no benefits to introducing it. I think it's illogical to tell dc not to talk to strangers except for that night, it's begging and I find that distasteful and it's unhealthy. We have had Halloween parties with friends where we had costumes and Harry Potter inspired food and games. For me that was a good compromise because the dc still had a lot of fun without the bad bits of trick or treat.

If neighbours are going to great lengths and expense to decorate their homes and stock up on sweets for children, how is that begging?

I think the whole 'begging' thing is an over simplistic view, normally held by people who just simply don't want to take part in Trick or Treating.

Which is fine, but it doesn't make the people who do want to take part beggars.

Halloween in America is fantastic.

I can't understand why a few sweets being handed out can cause so much angst.

And it's not an American thing, I don't call it trick or treating. We just got out for our Halloween. I got mugged once when I was nine, the Basterds had stockings over their heads and pulled my bag off me. Didn't stop me running home for another plastic bag and going round the houses again. In fact I got more as everyone felt sorry for me.

I don't think it's a terribly safe notion to insist that children must never, ever knock on neighbours' doors. And besides, I really don't think it's remotely difficult for them to grasp that knocking on doors and asking for sweets is OK if you're with you're mum and it's Halloween and not OK the rest of the year.

If they're too young too grasp that, they're too young to be out alone so there's no problem, surely?

I'm not a fan of halloween or trick or treating. We choose not to do anything for it. DS is in nursery that day so will go in his lightening mqueen outfit or similar as they are doing dress up.

I do wish trick or treaters would only go to houses which are decorated. I don't want to be getting up and down all evening to answer the door

Precisely Jena, the whole 'sweets from strangers' thing is a bit pathetic.

I have never in my life had a child knock at my door during the Summer and ask me if I've got any sweets....