Halloween.. - Canyon Country,CA

M.,

Oh- tough call.... my daughter is 18 months old and I'm thinking yes, too young. My sister-in-law took her oldest trick or treating and carried her 16 month old along in the baby backpack... It was the perfect solution. He felt like he was a part of it all, but was higher up and seemed to feel protected so he wasn't scared.

When I'm trying to debate questions like that for my daughter I sometimes have to sit back and ask myself, "Who is this really for?" If the answer is overwhelmingly for me, then I try to readjust my plans to put her needs first... Not always the easiest thing to do.

Good luck!
K.

I agree with the others, just stay home and pass out candy. But if you truly want to take him out take him early and to just a few houses. People you know and visit often. I did that when my son was 10 months old. He went to 3 houses and that was it. Then we went home and passed out candy.

honestly, i have to ask what's the point? if you have to take him out b/c of your older one, then just take him out sans costume if he doesn't like it ... are you going to let him keep the candy? is it just so the neighbors see him out? he's not really going to know the difference imo ... i'd just keep him in! jmo!

Don't let the other mom's influence you to stay home. We took our first when he was 11 months old. He didn't like it at first, but he realized what was going on after a few houses, and loved it. Also, we took him to a church where they were having lots of safe activities for kids. You should check into your local chuches or community to find a fun place to take your kids to. He will understand what is going on when he sees other kids in costume having fun. Don't miss out, and if he doesn't want to where his costume don't force him. My second son only wore half of his costume last year. Have fun.

If he doesn't like his costume, why force the issue? Why not wait until he's ready to enjoy it?

My son hated costumes up until he was 3. He did wear one when he was two for a short period of time as he got a taste of candy. It can fix everything, lol. He was told he had to wear it to get some and long enough to get a couple of pictures. Strangely, he loves costumes now and we have several he uses for dress up so it might just be that he needs time.

Maybe just stay home and pass out candy, so he gets a feel for what happens on that crazy day.

Hi M.,
As a mother of 4 and grandmother of 5, I understand your dilema. It's difficult when our children don't want somehting we want for them.
As to whether or not 16 months is too young for trick or treating, I think the real answer is not the age of the child, but the purpose of taking him out for the event.

I know there are arguments on both sides of the camp as to whether or not parents should allow their children to celebrate Hallowe'en..there are pro's and cons on both sides. I am more concerned about the overall effect of the nights events. Dressing up and going out to get free candy can be fun, but what message does it teach? If you choose to TAKE (not send) your kids trick or treating, be sure to advise them of the importance of going to "known" homes, and other safety precautions.

Many cities now have "safe" trick or treat outings at their local businesses, as well as many churches offer alternative activities. I encourage you to listen to your 16 month olds objection to the costume, and maybe make a simple cat or clown face out of make-up for him instead. You want this event to be fun for him. You also want to allow him to be wary of strangers.. It's a built in safety mechanism.

I hope this has been helpful
Grandma A.

I was thinking about this as well with my 15 month old. Here's what I decided. Check and see if there are any child friendly Halloween activities being put on by your city or volunteer organizations. Someone gave me the example that in her city the downtown business owners had "trick or treat" for small children in the day time. The kids would go from store to store trick or treating in costume. I'm taking my son to a sort of Halloween "carnival" put on by student volunteers from my old university. Different "stations" are set up for trick or treating and there are games. He's too young to play games, but he's very friendly and curious, so I think he will enjoy just being there and watching people. I think this might be a better idea than going door to door to trick or treat with a shy child. This way you can stay in one place and let him warm up to the situation. Whatever you decide, have fun!

I have a 12 mo old, and I am going to take her trick or treating. I dont think he is too young, he just might not last but 3 or 4 houses.I say, try taking him out. If he lasts, he lasts, if not, well, there is always next year. My daughter gets a little overwhelmed sometimes, and sometimes I get a little dissapointed that she isnt having fun. But its alot to take in for this age. Even if you dont take him out, you can still dress him up (if he will let you, but dont force it) and he can help you pass out candy to all the other kids. He might like that.
Let us know what you end up deciding.

When my son was that young, I put a comfortable costume on him and no mask. I painted his face to match the mask. I took him to a community event. He was comfortable around other children his age.

As far as too young...:) My husband wants to take our 5 month old trick or treating. I told him people will know the candy isn't for her, but he is so excited about showing her off in her costume. too funny.

My reply comes to late, but... I have a 17 mos old and bought him a dino suit for Halloween, my girlfriend advised me to dress him up in it off and on weeks ahead of time to get him used to it. He was fussy the first time, but the other times he just ignored it was on. As for tricking w/ strangers, can't help with that, we go with my sister's kids 10,12,15 and he loves them. They carry him half the time so the empty stroller is pushed by me on the street as the go up to the houses. If you can't go with family cus you don't live close or have any, try going with friends that he is already familiar with.

Hope this helps

Hey M.! I don't think 16 months old is too young to go trick or treating especially if he/she has an older brother/sister, like your 7 yr old to tag along with. We are taking my neice who is 7 months old in the wagon! She will enjoy the excitement of watching her older sister who is 3.5 yrs old and her older cousin who is 6 do their trick or treating.... Plus you could look at it as a socializing event. Ofcourse we will be with them and pulling the wagon, so it means you would have to join in, but I am sure the kids would love it! I say, Go for it! Try the costume again at another time, and maybe a couple times before the big day, if he/she still doesn't want to wear it, maybe paint his/her nose. ;0) Main thing is to have fun right!

Dear Mom of 2, M. W,

Halloween can be a very frightening event. I think you know your son better than anyone and obviously see his discomfort in the costume. Also he needs time to warm up to strangers... this could make his fears grow into something that is not healthy for him. Give it another year and maybe next time he will be more comfortable, and maybe not. My youngest did not want anything to do with it until he was almost 4years old. Then he understood that it was all for fun and dressing up.

Grandmama in Poway

Hi M.,

I don't think he's too young, but you should take his personality into account. If you think he's going to be scared or unhappy, and you can leave him at home with whoever's handing out the candy, that might be more fun for him. Also, your 7 year old might have more fun if he doesn't have to trick-or-treat with a scared/crying little brother. As far as his age, my youngest son was 8 months old when I took him trick-or-treating last year & he's 20 months old this year. I had him practice at home getting dressed up & coming to me with his trick-or-treat bag & I gave him candy & said "trick-or-treat" and he loved it. Then, I took him trick-or-treating in his stroller to my older son's school carnival & he had no problem seeing all the costumes & going up to strangers- he was just thrilled to be eating candy.

C. : )

He's so little that he won't even remember--or care--whether he trick-or-treated or not. At this point in his life, it would be more you than for him. I'd agree; stay home and pass out candy.

Dear M.,

Maybe it would be better this year to have him give out treats as people come to the door in their costumes. Tell him beforehand what they will be like - get the newspaper that has ads for costumes in it and point them out, so that he can sort of get an idea of what they will be wearing. With you and Dad right there with him he will really love the evening.

Good luck, C. N.

I recommend that you think about some of the other possibilities for Halloween and then decide which one works best with you son’s personality. For instance, my daughter just turned 17 months. She’s “reserved” around strangers, but she loves observing activity and isn’t frightened by noise and crowds (especially if she is being held by one of us). We went to a Halloween party with her last night and she LOVED her costume and ours, but she did not want to interact with other people, even friends she knows well, when she saw them in costume. I don’t think she would do well Trick or Treating. Of course, she doesn’t have enough language skill for me to explain Halloween and I’m hesitant to teach her to run up to doors and take candy from complete strangers anyway! We have decided to go to one of the local community Halloween events with trick or treating booths, games, and contests. We’re meeting other friends, eating dinner there, and having adult fun and kid fun. This way, we can all have fun and I can take a lot of pictures of her so she “remembers” it later. As an added bonus, I won’t have to take her in and out of her car seat all night! There might be enough going on at a community center, down town, church, or school near you to entertain your 7 year old as well.