Halloween older children out to cause problems

[Blandmum]

Conversation with some of the 'wilder' members of my year 8 classes would seem to indicate that they are seeing halloween as a licence to be as disruptive as possible

Why is this day being spoiled in this way?

It was never like this when I was a child in the 60s.

What do you think that we can do to reverse this trend?

Control our teenaged children better.

(speaking as a mother of 2 teenage boys)

the parents of these kids do seem to be too 'clued up' in that regard

They don't know that their children are out being disruptive ?

Well, they don't do much when they are disruptive in school

I have to say that I hate the whole concept of Trick or Treat anyway. I think for younger kids it encourages the idea of knocking on strangers doors, and as you say, young teenagers use it as an excuse to cause trouble.

I feel I have to buy fun-size sweets to give out, because I know from past years that if I don't (don't even answer the door), I'll have a mess to clear up the following morning. So in effect I'm being blackmailed in my own home.
DS of course thinks I'm a meany mummy because I won't let him go trick or treating with his friends. I do let him dress up and open the door to those who call on us.

My neighbours car was quite badly damaged a couple of years ago, as teenage kids chucked eggs and flour over it, which dried like chuffing concrete overnight. That was despite the fact that the neighbour had answered the door and doled out sweets to every kid in the area.

God I hate this whole trick-or-treat idea. Please can someone get it banned? Make it illegal? do something?

Oh, and do party bags as well while you've got the legislation out...

I'm kind of glad that there are other people who don't like "trick or treat". I hate the whole thing as a result of experiences with older children. About 13 years ago when I still lived with my parents, I answered the door to some trick or treaters 2 weeks before Halloween, and told them (with a smile) to come back on the 31st October. They ended up throwing eggs at the door. And 2 years ago, I did a pumpkin with a T light. It lasted 40 minutes before being kicked up the road by some teenagers that I'd just given some sweets to. After that, I was all for not answering the door, switching the lights off a pretending that we're not home. If it wasn't for DH, that's the way it would be. It's a real shame it's been spoilt, especially when you see the young children who go to a real effort. But I can see I'm in for a real battle because DD1 (aged 7) so wants to take part and I don't want her to.