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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to tell my 12yo he's too old for trick or treating?

178 replies

pennyspent · 27/10/2016 21:44

My 12yo DS has been invited trick-or-treating by some friends, but I don't want him to go. In the past we've always gone out as a family (I have a 10yo too), but last year I told DS1 it was probably his last time. It's not just his age, but his height - he's almost 5' 9""! I think trick or treating is fine for little kids, going round the neighbours, but I don't like to see older kids and teens doing it.

I've said he can invite friends round to watch a Halloween movie instead. He's happy with the plan in principal, but so far everyone's said no because they're all going out trick or treating! Feeling bad about it. AIBU?

OP posts:
swampster · 27/10/2016 22:51

Not too old! Read this.

crje · 27/10/2016 22:51

YANBU

I think it's too old.

littlemissneela · 27/10/2016 22:54

Yabu, sorry. Reminded me of a post on facebook a few days ago about ths very thing

linky

littlemissneela · 27/10/2016 22:55

Oops xpost with swampster Grin

DixieNormas · 27/10/2016 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NicknameUsed · 27/10/2016 22:59

Round here 12 is not too old at all. This year will be the first year DD doesn't go trick or treating. I have been telling her for the last few years she is too old, but she wouldn't have it. She is 16.

loveyogalovelife · 27/10/2016 23:02

Yes you are BU, why shouldn't he enjoy it?

Piglet208 · 27/10/2016 23:03

Swampster I have something in my eye. OP let him go.

redcaryellowcar · 27/10/2016 23:06

I say let him go, I think maybe not with a mask on, but if you are confident he will behave well, I think he's far from too old.

Mistletoekids · 27/10/2016 23:08

Let him go! Poor chapHaloween Sad

Willow2016 · 27/10/2016 23:10

littlemiss:
Aww that is so lovely, its great that kids can be kids as long as they want to be when its something fun to do. Why is the world so hell bent on making them grow up so fast these days?

chowchowchow · 27/10/2016 23:19

YABU. My 12yo will be going with his siblings and step siblings and he can't wait. He's a vampire this year... they grow up so quickly it's good to take advantage of when they actually want to be a kid!!!

SabineUndine · 27/10/2016 23:25

YABU. I've had kids in their late teens round and they still got chocolate and I suggested they might be a bit too old

surreygoldfish · 27/10/2016 23:43

Going against the grain here. It's normally all younger children where we are. I haven't let my older boys do it from that sort of age.... i wouldn't want teens at my door either.....

botanically · 27/10/2016 23:46

YABVVVVVU

Willow2016 · 27/10/2016 23:48

Not all teens are granny mugging, drinking, drug taking, knife weilding thugs. Why the heck shouldnt a 12 year old go out? He isnt 17!!!

Lilmisskittykat · 27/10/2016 23:48

I think it's a primary school age thing to do personally. We do it from 6 til about 7.30 after then all the littles ones have gone home and it's older children chancing it .. Plus we've usually run out of sweets by then too and even the dog is suck of getting up to the door!

Lilmisskittykat · 27/10/2016 23:49

*sick

appalachianwalzing · 27/10/2016 23:50

I've. Ever seen anyone over ten out, it tends to correspond with Santa age here so I wouldn't allow it TBH.

Akire · 27/10/2016 23:53

12 is fine think before 8pm it's when it's older teenagers calling much later that's seen as possibly problematic. I live in flats so never get any!

IMissGrannyW · 27/10/2016 23:55

I've had this conversation with my v v v tall but immature DD (almost 15). She doesn't 'get' why she's scary. She's over 6". She wears size 8 shoes!

She knows she's sweet and gorgeous and just loves sweets. I know this about her too. But she has to understand she lives in a world who sees her for her physicality. Hence, boys come-on to her (she has no interest) and older people are scared by her, esp when she's with a group. It gobsmacks her when older people are negative towards groups of young people (just because it's a group of 5+ young people together and having a good time), and I'm doing all I can to explain to her why she comes across as intimidating.

I've started a thread about how much I hate trick or treat! I think it's horrible.

ArmySal · 28/10/2016 00:02

How sad to be "too old" at 12 Haloween Sad I'd let him go.

whoopsadaisy5 · 28/10/2016 00:12

I feel 12 is too old. I agree with lilmisskittykat, it's a primary school age activity

a8mint · 28/10/2016 00:40

You say it is a primary school activity as though its an accepted rule not just something you have made up! If people are intimidated by 12 year olds then there is something wrong with them.it is Luke saying I am intimidated by black men

Willow2016 · 28/10/2016 00:41

Many of our kids are still at primary when they are 12!