DISQUS

Anthony Russo · 2 months ago

I decorate my house and give out the sweets every year to the parade of superheroes, fantasy characters, and ghouls and goblins that come to my door. Some years me and my wife will even dress up creepy with makeup and a costume to add to the effect.

Halloween is honestly a holiday that is more for kids than most any other. There is nobody teaching you lessons about things that happened hundred or thousands of years ago (ThanksGiving, Christmas, Easter, etc.). There is no pushing of 9 different holidays for every faith falling at the same time so you have to watch out for which one you say Happy Whatever to. There is no stress about gifts and whether you will or wont get something you want. It's just about fun.

Anthony Russo
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Dan Smith · 2 months ago

Not going to lie...I agree with most of your thoughts. The one thing I might add is that my son's preschool a few years ago didn't want to do a costume party because the school serves a poor community and the school wasn't sure if all the kids could afford costumes. Was it a valid concern? I don't know. But of the excuses you've mentioned today, I think the one by my son's school is at least the most plausible.

Anthony Russo · 2 months ago

I agree that is a valid concern at least. A bit of planning by the staff can provide a way around such an issue though. My wife used to do Home Daycare and "dress-up" was a favorite game of the kids. She would be able to find tons of stuff ("funny" hats, coats, "princess" dresses and such) at garage sales and the like to make sure there was planty to go around. A good washing first was all that was needed.

Depending on the size of the school, it would allow for some fun for all with the ones that don't have their own costumes 'borrowing' from the schools supply.

Anthony

Jason of Kim & Jason · 2 months ago

Great tip, Anthony. My wife -- the former kindergarten teacher -- had a similar approach, as there was always one or two kids who couldn't afford a costume, or more often, had parents who forgot. And not in a "Oh man, it totally slipped my mind" sort of way, but rather a "I'm too busy for this parenting thing, what grade did you say you were in this year?" sort of way.

BRIAN · 2 months ago

What a great post! I couldn't have said it better myself. I volunteer at my daughter's daycare on Halloween and the joy in the kids' faces as they get to celebrate their creativity is unreal. Thanks for sharing!

Jason of Kim & Jason · 2 months ago

Thanks Brian! Good for you doing the volunteer thing, too, especially around Halloween. Being in the middle of a mess of kids hopped up on sugar is a dangerous place to be :)