Let’s continue discussing how to keep our Halloween happy, healthy, and safe. So far we’ve covered happy and healthy. Now it’s time to go over some simple practices on how to keep it safe!
*Costume Prep! Evaluate What’s Appropriate
The next thing we need to go over are costume choices for your little ones. This may seem simple but costumes should actually be well thought out. Every child will have their dream costume in mind. But it’s our responsibility to make that costume as appropriate as needed depending on the environment.
*The School Arena…
The first one we will be discussing is school. Each school will have different directions about what may be allowed and what accessories are permitted. Some schools may not even allow costumes so we want to make sure we are following the rules for the ones that do. It is only when costumes get out of hand does the school no longer allow costumes.
1. Follow School Directions
Some of the basic requests that a school may have are nothing violent, aggressive, dangerous, or visibly bloody. The reason being is that schools do not want to promote anything violent or aggressive in nature, especially within our current times.
2. Is it Easy To Move In?
The next request could be asking for a costume that the children can easily move in. If they cannot comfortably move in their costume then they will not be able to function comfortably throughout their day.
3. Can They Use the Bathroom Independently?
Next, they will need a costume that allows them to use the bathroom independently if they are potty trained, or something that can be easily removed if they are still in diapers. Just because it is halloween, doesn’t mean that bathroom transitions or any kind of transitions are not happening. They need to be fast and smooth just like every day. If a child is wearing a costume that is overly time consuming that will take away from the schedule of the day.
4. Accessories Check!
Lastly, most schools will regulate the type of accessories that come with a costume. Either it will need to go in your child’s cubby upon drop off or may not be permitted at all. Children have a hard enough time of keeping track of their belongings on a normal day and teachers are multi-tasking doing so many other things that they cannot be responsible for all other items being lost on Halloween day. In addition, a lot of accessories can again be violent in nature, and should not be permitted in schools.
For example, my school does not permit any kind of pretend weapons at all. We promote a safe and happy halloween excluding any form of imaginative dangerous situation. This may be over protective for some parents, but we find that it lends itself to a much happier and calmer halloween experience in the classroom.
Every school will be different with regards to their halloween protocol. It is important to get any information you can so you can help create the most ideal costume for your child, one that they are comfortable and happy to be in.
*At Home…
Now, whatever you want to do at home is a completely different story. You are obviously able to regulate as much as you see fit. But there are a few things to keep in mind when planning your child’s halloween costume. Depending on the culture within your household, you’ll know your child’s tolerance level for scary and violent things.
Personally, I think it is better to avoid all such things as that is not something we would want to teach our children regardless of their age, even just for fun. You never know what can be taken out of context or purpose or by accident. At times it is better to prevent than problem solve later on. However, it is truly up to you as their parent to set appropriate and responsible boundaries with regards to halloween expectations. Obviously this will differ with the age of the child but there are always a few things to keep in mind:
-Is the costume suitable and age appropriate?
-Is it violent or aggressive in nature? (if you have to think about it, I would give it a pass)
-Does my child understand that this is just pretend?
-Will other parents or children be uncomfortable with them wearing this?
-Is it socially acceptable?
If you are able to keep these brief questions in mind when choosing a costume idea for your child then halloween will be a blast. Reminder, keep it more towards the happy and silly side of halloween rather than the scary and gruesome side.
*Trick or Treating?…Seriously!
The last and possibly most important part of Halloween is the actual trick or treating. The reason I say most important part is because this is the time you will have the least control over the things your child comes into contact with on this day. This means everything you did to prepare your house, your kids, etc. stops as soon as you leave your front door and venture out to actually go trick or treating.
Now, even though this is meant to be just happy fun, we have all heard the horror stories of things happening on halloween. So let’s see what we can do to be as safe as possible.
First things first, before you even leave the house it is important to put boundaries into place. If your child knows what the rules and expectations are then it will be less surprising when you enact those rules during the actual event. This will help avoid tantrums, meltdowns, etc. Some boundaries that should be discussed prior to trick or treating are:
*For Preschoolers:
1.Always holding mommy and daddy’s hand.We do not let go and run off.
2.Only going to houses mommy and daddy say yes to.
3.Saying thank you after receiving their candy (we should always be working on good manners)
4. Eating candy only after mommy and daddy have checked them and said it’s okay
*For Older Kids:
1.CURFEW: This should not be an option. There should be a strict curfew in place to avoid halloween fright of any kind.
2.Provide a specific route to follow: You should know all the houses they go to and who lives there.
3.Candy Consumption: All candy should still be checked! You never want something unwrapped or hiding in their sweet treat.
*Summary
There you have it! All the things needed in order to have a happy, healthy, and safe halloween. Take each suggestion as seriously as needed and remember safe fun is happy fun. The best kind of halloween to have is one where all participants are comfortable and calm.
If you have any questions, comments, or ideas please share them in the comments section below! And definitely subscribe to the newsletter for updates and ongoing happenings at TylekTeaches.com. The subscription link is just on the right hand side of this post. See you there!
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