I got some email on Halloween with a WARNING sign saying that candy from China could contain Melamine or something like that - I didn't even know what that was but it obviously was something bad!
showed that to Anna and Josh and they ran and got their goodie bag from school (thanks school!) and went through the treats and got rid of any that they couldn't tell where it was from. I was helpful at "deciphering" some of it for them. For example, if a candy had THC in fine print I decided that it meant "The House of China". I know, deceitful, but I didn't care!
This year we decided to just watch a movie at home with the younger ones (Brett got carmel to make carmel apples after Luke went to bed.) I took Anna to HSM movie (date night for her!). The kids were excited about it, but everyone who heard we weren't trick or treating thought we were psycho! "That is just wrong!!"
At the last minute we decided to let them go trick or treating to a few neighbors - they were seeing other kids out trick or treating (here comes the pressure!) We also remembered that one of our neighbors make personalized stuff for the kids and might feel bad if we didn't go there. After just a few homes, they came home with way too much candy! We let them eat about 5-6 pieces that night.
I am bugged because I feel so much PRESSURE to let them trick or treat. I think about all the other things we feel pressure to do with the kids and DON'T do and then we cave to trick or treating because "everyone else is doing it". I don't know why I am so anti-trick-or-treating, but it isn't like I should feel any loyalty to a witch or jack-o-lantern, right?! We try all year long to give them good things, and you all know that is not cheap, and then to blow if for my least favorite holiday Halloween???
I asked Anna on the way to the movie if she thought we were too strict about Halloween and she said she knows it is because we want them to be healthy and even though sometimes she doesn't like it she knows why we do it. So I think we are doing okay so far........so far.
It isn't like I chop their fingers off before they have desserts or occasional treats, but just eating a huge bag of candy seems so wrong. So far they are cavity free(knock on wood) but that hasn't come easy.
The rest of their candy they used at our "Candy Store" yesterday to buy trinkets (dollar store watches etc.). They LOVED the store and even Eliza, who was crying at the top of her lungs, about wanting to "buy" stuff (but not wanting to not have any candy left) ended up buying stuff with every last piece. We told her she could "choose to keep the candy if you wanted or buy stuff" about 6 times but she was hard of hearing (we were too) with all that heartfelt shrieking! Of course, we were hoping she would choose to buy and not stash. (Phew! No having to sneak it away on my part!)
I was so happy that they were willing to get rid of it all that I then offered them each one piece. Anna declined saying, "I want to keep my temple healthy." I could have died with happiness. I told her how impressed I was with her choice. Josh then put his piece back and said the same thing! So I told him how impressed I was with him also. Then Claire and Eliza did it too!!!! I could have fainted. I put it all in a ziplock and threw it away. Luckily, Brett took the trash out for trash day tomorrow or I might have been tempted to retrieve the bag and pick out the good stuff.....!
Tucking Josh in at night he said that he liked eating candy "while he eats it" because it tastes good, but he doesn't want to get sick.
So that is what we did for Halloween and next year I am not caving. We will do something fun, and we will have treats, but something at least half-way decent! :)
Now, if any of you read all the way through this "rant" - do YOU think we are a little overboard? I'd love to hear your input. Just be kind of nice.
Recycled costumes from years past.......the best kind!
Pioneer girl Anna
Robin Hood (and his trusty yellow silky blanket) and Belle
Belle, an immodest Maid Marian & Robin Hood
AWWWWWWW - he's not hitting them! (Maybe he just discovered that their dresses are silky!)
3 comments:
Keeping the sweets to a minimum is not going overboard. A pure, untainted hatred of Halloween on the other hand...come on! It's the one day a year where it's completely acceptable to dress up like someone else. I absolutely LOVE that part and feel rather cheated that I can't dress up at work. Next year though...when it's on a Saturday...*rubs hands together in glee*
Let them go trick or treating, because it's fun for so many more reasons than just getting candy, let them have a few pieces a day, and then give the rest to a women's shelter or food bank. That way they're getting to participate in the festivities, getting some candy, and also learning to serve less fortunate children.
That was the advice given to us by Allan's boss. I think it's great.
Okay, my kiddos don't even know what TRICK-or-TREATING is. BUT, they do go to the ward Trunk-or-treat whenever that occurs. This year on November 1st. I know, nothing says Happy Halloween like going trunk-or-treating the day after the holiday... but anyway. They get way too much candy. Eat like two pieces before bed and maybe one or two spread out over the next couple days and then, the candy is gone. I throw it away. I don't feel guilty either. They don't need that garbage... on the holiday. We answer the door and pass out our stash and my kiddos are fine and dandy. They don't even realize that they too 'could' be out going door to door (which in itself scares me to death) and getting piles of garbage. They just know that their night to go out is at the ward party. Don't feel guilty, staying home with a fun movie or activity and treat sounds wonderful.
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