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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think 13 is too old for trick-or-treating?

67 replies

Standandwait · 31/10/2017 16:20

DS2 is 13 but has autism and moderate learning difficulties that make him more like a 6/7 year old in many ways. I told him that I think he's too old to be taken around trick-or-treating ... but he's so sad. WIBU to take him after all, one last time? It's not as if I can explain to other people answering their doors, and he is now a good 5'4" so could seem quite grown up to strangers.

OP posts:
IHaveBrilloHair · 31/10/2017 16:22

Of course he can go, where I live teens go, so long as they are dressed up and polite it's fine.

x2boys · 31/10/2017 16:24

I have a big bowl of sweeties I would give teenagers them I think my nephews went untill they were about 13/14 And they are neurotypical my youngest has severe autism and learning disabilities btw.

DustyMaiden · 31/10/2017 16:25

Take him, if he wants to go. At 17 mine has decided he’s too old, at last.

MadMags · 31/10/2017 16:26

I get loads of trick or treaters and you'd be surprised how many are teens/much taller than me.

The way I see it, why be a great nazi? I've bought the stuff to give out. If a teenager wants to dress up and hold out a bag, what harm does it do me to give him a bag of haribo?!

PurplePumpkinHead · 31/10/2017 16:27

As long as they are polite and well behaved, I would have no problem. Used to teens up to 18-19 if we still have the pumpkin out late enough to get rid of all the sweets Smile

Notanothernamechangeaddict · 31/10/2017 16:27

A lot of kids round here trick or treat until they are 13/14/15
As long as they are dressed up and polite I don't see a problem with it, kids grow up to quickly these days, let kids be kids
My dd went last year age 13 with friends
Take him and enjoy yourselves

chronofix · 31/10/2017 16:27

Of course teenagers can go. Why shouldn't they have some innocent fun? NT or not. Hope you take him and he has a good time!

quaqua · 31/10/2017 16:28

My ds who has ASD went till he was 17!
(I continue to buy plenty of sweets for trick and treaters before anyone tells me how entitled and grabby I am.)

Glumglowworm · 31/10/2017 16:28

It's fine

If teenagers are dressed up and polite and don't come round too late I have no problem with them trick or treating. Only the ones that don't bother dressing up or are rude or come round really late are annoying

fairgame84 · 31/10/2017 16:28

It's a difficult one. My DS also has ASD and MLD and I stopped him going at age 12 because he is tall and was getting some Hmm faces. He would love to go but I don't want us to be in a situation where anybody is a bit off with him due to his age and size.

FangsAlot · 31/10/2017 16:28

Not round here it isn't Halloween Smile if he enjoys it then take him.

Sidge · 31/10/2017 16:29

My DD2 is 13.5 and we're going trick or treating later - she also has SN and thinks it's great fun! She doesn't do 'dressing up' but will wear a witches hat, and I'll go with her as she can't go alone.

SN aside I don't think 13 is too old, as long as teens are dressed up in some way and are polite and respectful I don't care how old they are.

redshoeblueshoe · 31/10/2017 16:31

Send him to my house - all are welcome, I also don't think its unusual as often they are with little ones. My GS is the same age and he is going Halloween Smile

monkeywithacowface · 31/10/2017 16:31

Lots of children that age go trick or treating around here. My son is 12 and is off out with his friends tonight. I think as long as they follow the general rule of only knocking on the doors that have a pumpkin or decs and are polite then it's all good.

LondonGirl83 · 31/10/2017 16:31

13 is fine with or without autism. Hope you two have fun!

redshoeblueshoe · 31/10/2017 16:33

fairgame - I've only just seen your post - your DS is welcome here too

PinkHeart5914 · 31/10/2017 16:34

It’s not too old as long as they dress up! Halloween Smile

Fauxgina · 31/10/2017 16:39

I've never turned a trick or treater away from my door Flowers

Tedster77 · 31/10/2017 16:40

I'm 40 and I'm going Grin.

My ASD 13 year old is hiding in the bedroom as the whole thing terrifies him but I'm taking the 10 year old and his best mate whose 13 (but looks 10).

Ttbb · 31/10/2017 16:45

So long as he's dressed up and polite I wouldn't think anything of it asides from perhaps what a polite young man, his mother must be proud. Wouldn't at all be Hmm about teens trick or treating so long as it's obvious that they really enjoy it and have planned costumes etc rather than doing a round for sweets in clearance masks before going to a friend's house to get drunk.

Whinesalot · 31/10/2017 16:46

I think 13 is fine. I think that this year is the first year that I''ve said 15 yr old Ds is too old.

Katedotness1963 · 31/10/2017 16:48

Let him go. I hope he has a great evening! I never turn teenagers away.

Justgivemesomepeace · 31/10/2017 16:49

Dd and her friend are 15 and 14. They are upstairs getting ready to take ds4 and friends nephew 5 out. With me of course, I'm not being left out.

HolyShet · 31/10/2017 16:50

My mansized 13 year old and his 12 year old mates are going with their 10 year old sisters and 7 year old brothers.

He still likes sweets and he won't be menacing dressed as the Gruffalo holding the hand of a diddy vampire.

Draylon · 31/10/2017 16:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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