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Original poster

Since when did kids get so... grabby?! (A Halloween one)

390 replies

MessyHouse91 · 31/10/2018 17:53

Perfectly happy to be slated here - I don’t spend much time with kids (expecting DC1) so this might just be a kid thing!

This is my first year living in a house on an estate (moved from my city centre flat) so my first year buying sweets for the trick or treaters. I love Halloween so I bought massive bags of sweets.

The first kids I held the bowl out so they could choose their own sweets from the selection, but each of the kids grabbed massive handfuls for 5 or 6 bags of sweets each.

For the next kids, I held the bowl out again and said ‘one each please’. The kids didn’t listen and took big handfuls again, and then Mum looked a little embarassed and told the kids to put them back. I didn’t know if it was the done thing to give them a limit and didn’t fancy standing on the doorstep while the kids rifled through their bags trying to figure out which ones it was, so I told her not so worry about it.

The third lot, I put the sweets into their bags for them. One little boy asked if he could have another for his sister, so I chucked in an extra, and then he got half way down the drive and asked for another for his sister. I said ‘I gave you one for your sister’ and he said ‘that was for my big sister, this one is for my little sister’. I gave him a third, and he shouted to his friends ‘SCORE! GOT ANOTHER ONE’.

I loved trick or treating as a kid (my mum only ever let me go to neighbours we knew) so I don’t want to be miserable about it. I was just so looking forward to decorating and seeing all the kids in their costumes! I know it’s just kids and just sweets but the whole thing seems a bit sad, especially as I’m now out of sweets before it even gets going.

Do I go to the shop and buy more and enjoy the whole thing and chalk it up to experience, or do I stop answering the door and be grumpy for the rest of the night?

OP posts:
aintnothinbutagstring · 31/10/2018 17:59

No, don't buy anymore unless it's for yourself, grabby fuckers with no manners. Switch off the lights and ignore!

aintnothinbutagstring · 31/10/2018 18:00

They're probably already on a sugar high tbh. Save yourself!

user1457017537 · 31/10/2018 18:01

I’ve just had three lovely children knock and I was begging them to take more, the mum thanked me as well. Not all children are greedy

CantWaitToRetire · 31/10/2018 18:02

The reason I don’t bother any more - bloody greedy kids with no manners.

Ignoramusgiganticus · 31/10/2018 18:02

"One each please" is the correct mantra for next year.

SistersOfPercy · 31/10/2018 18:02

The ones I have had here have been adorable. In fact I had to tell one little boy to take a few more as he took a single black jack from the tub bless him.
All have been lovely and polite.

Thesearmsofmine · 31/10/2018 18:03

I think some eat really hyped up over it. Most children aren’t like that at all.

missyB1 · 31/10/2018 18:03

I don’t offer, I dole them out one each and ignore any requests for more.

TurkeyBear · 31/10/2018 18:04

Around here they expect money 🙄 told a bunch of 12yr olds to piss off last year when they complained they wanted silver instead of mars bars 😂

SugarMiceInTheRain · 31/10/2018 18:04

I've had about 20 kids this evening, and they've all just taken one sweet and thanked me for it. They're not all grabby... though some really are! I only let my DC go to the neighbours we know or those who have decorated for Halloween and clearly want trick or treaters.

Hoppinggreen · 31/10/2018 18:04

Amateur
You hold onto the bowl and hand them one each.
Then say “bye” and shut the door

Haahhpy · 31/10/2018 18:05

Buy little packs of raisins and some walnuts, pretty sure they'll be happy with a piece each.

SistersOfPercy · 31/10/2018 18:07

I remember one year I'd got some sweets in the house that nobody liked. Even DS wouldn't eat them and it was unheard of.
I'd chucked them in the halloween tub to get rid.

Was most amused on my walk to work the next day to see many of these sweets spat out in the gutter 😂

MeteorMedow · 31/10/2018 18:08

Kids are very grabby nowadays but it depends on area!

We’re in (here come the pitchforks) a very affluent area and tbh the children are painfully polite and well mannered- the nannies are clearly doing a good job! I’m pretty sure we could leave a ‘take one’ bowl on our doorstep and that’s what they would do. We also don’t get older teenagers trick or treating it’s strictly a bellow 13 activity - Which I like.

Sippingmytea · 31/10/2018 18:08

Haven’t had that at all where we are. I’m having to encourage the kids to take more as they’re all taking one small sweet each.

FlippinNora1 · 31/10/2018 18:09

Ours (so far) have been super polite! I’m having them out though so they aren’t getting a chance to grab. It’s chucking it down with rain here so they are rather drenched. I am so happy sad we can’t go out this year as DD has a sickness bug Grin

dementedpixie · 31/10/2018 18:10

I just bought some crisps and biscuits this year. Easier to just give one out

jaseyraex · 31/10/2018 18:11

I make up small bags of sweets. So there's Haribo, a fun size chocolate and a lollipop in bags for the trick or treaters tonight (not that any have came yet!). I keep milky buttons separate and give a bag to any really small children/babies. That way there's no greediness issues and everyone gets the same.

yawning801 · 31/10/2018 18:13

I was about to join in with the moaning but I literally just answered the door to three lots all at once - the younger ones were grabbing by the handful and scarpering but I had about five young teenage boys and each one took one and said thank you and have a good evening. We've got both ends of the spectrum here Grin

Everytimeref · 31/10/2018 18:15

The whole street children meet up and come around as a group so only get one visit which is great!

lastqueenofscotland · 31/10/2018 18:15

Last year I lived in a flat above an incredibly strict Christian who flicked holy water at trick or treaters and told them Christ would redeem them Confused. Word soon got out and no one cand to our building

SauvignonBlanche · 31/10/2018 18:19

My first group was a bunch of about 10 who all grabbed loads, everyone else has been more restrained.

Original poster
MessyHouse91 · 31/10/2018 18:20

just sent OH to the shop for more sweets, in the meantime I’ve poked my head out the door and told the groups of kids to come back later, now there’s a group of 12-13 year olds ringing the doorbell relentlessly and shouting through the door. I might tell him to forget about it and spend his money on a treat for me instead. Very sad that a holiday with some lovely memories for me has turned into this!

OP posts:
DontTouchTheMoustache · 31/10/2018 18:21

Well i have bought about 5 bags of funsize treats and so far had a grand total of 2 trick or treat knocks so i am trying to push more sweets on to them.

Original poster
MessyHouse91 · 31/10/2018 18:22

Glad to know it’s not all kids though, I’d be mortified if I was that Mum in 6 years time! Thanks mumsnetters!

OP posts: