Do your kids love the trick and treating, costumes and scary ambience? Or do they just tremble and shiver at the thought of lurking out in the dark with ghoulish faces around. It’s very common for kids to divorce reality from fantasy. So Halloween can be really troublesome for younger kids.
Parents too face enigmas of their kind, like what the Halloween festival actually represents. Some parents are worried by the commercialization of the All Hallows Eve and how it can adversely affect the real essence of this spooky, yet amazing tradition with kids roaming around the streets in their cute Halloween costumes, collecting candies and chocolates and telling jokes.
The tradition of going door to door for sweeties dates back to Middle Ages and includes Hallowmas (November 1), Christmas Wassailing and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Poor were able to gather food and clothes by going door to door in return for prayers (for the dead people).
If you want your kids to cherish Halloween, there is no better way to start by asking your kids what scare them about it—is it the scary masks, the costumes, or those creepy symbols and images of gore and blood? While doing so, you need to make sure that you are not taking their words lightly. So pay close attention to what they say and find an appropriate solution.
Have a look at these 4 tips that will make your Halloween, this year, a complete success.
1. Provide Comfort and Support
If your kids doesn’t feel comfortable going out with elders, take their hand and go with them. Provide them comfort and support. Hug or kiss them, anything that would make them feel safe. You need to tell your kids that there are real people under those costumes. If you know of any, name them.
2. Let Them Choose Their Halloween Costume
If your kid wants a Power Ranger or Batman costume, let them have it. If they want to be dressed as a monster/devil, let them be. Remember that your kids’ preference for scary stuff doesn’t reflect their belief system. It’s just that some kids don’t fear. Also, studies explain that kids who can dress up in scary costumes have better chances to fight fear and develop resilience.
3. The Trick and Treat Success
“Trick and treat” is an important part of Halloween. If your kid doesn’t feel comfortable to collect candies from knocking on the strangers doors, you can preplan visits to friendly neighbors. Another trick to make this a success is by starting early before sunset. Also, have some of your kids’ friend by their side so that they can assist each other in the spirit of this festive.
4. Invite People Over To Your Place
If your kid won’t go out to trick-or-treat, then another thing you can do is invite people over to your place for a fancy costume party. You can arrange games, food etc. to make things perfect. Younger kids feel safer at their own home and so this way, you will not have to send them out. Involve them in decorations and pumpkin carvings to improve their involvement.
The ultimate key
No matter what you try, the ultimate key is to listen to your child’s fears. As said before, don’t take your kids reluctance or sensitivity lightly. Let them participate according to their decision.
If your kid is prone to sensory sensitivities, then lights, smells or any anomalous activity can leave them with a spinning head. If you will tell your kid to “grow up” and “stop being a baby” then, you are giving them the impression that it’s not alright to be afraid of anything, at all. This misunderstanding is not right for their future.
Over time, your kid will find ways to overcome their fear and develop resilience slowly and naturally. Halloween is getting bigger each year, and If you plan to participate, make sure you have planned everything beforehand to make it successful.
You can also tell your kids how to converse with neighbors and what kind of language they need to use and how to deal with the unanticipated harshness of some of them. You may also need to set rules on the amount of sugar consumption by your kid. Overdosing is dangerous, even if that is of sugars.
Free yourself from every other activity in time so that you have all the time needed for setting everything up nicely. Edward Mordake’s blessings be upon you, Happy Halloween!
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