Is it just me / or are others just taken back at some of the Halloween threads.

[got2save2]

Ok maybe I'm living a VERY Sheltered lifestyle, But I so taken back at some of the threads/ replies about Halloween, to be honest I'm a little shocked at some of them.

People giving the crappy candy to children not dressed up, people not giving candy or just 1 piece to children with 2 bags, People upset over non neighborhood kids TOT'ing in there area. WOWZA, All this over 1 NIGHT ??

I guess it might be because I know for myself this is US, we live on a Major Highway, homes are VERY VERY spaced apart and should I ever one Halloween take my kids TOT'ing, I too would have to go elsewhere. Also my kids will not wear Makeup NOR any kind of mask, never have never will. My 7 yo son that has Autism may or may not wear anything other than his reg clothing, same for my 5 yo. At time my 7 yo may not go to the cars at the church because there's something scary the owner has placed around the car's trunk ( But if his brother or sisters should tell the owner could you please added a few pieces of candy my little brother is too scared to come close, would they also think or giving them their *Crappy* candy for him ?

Would this line of think be for us too ??.
Guess I have never thought people did this or even so much as thought this way.
Guess we learn something new everyday, and this sure has taught me something, Don't take my kids out TOT'ing.
BTW, Last time I took one of my children TOT'ing my now 26 yo was 10. My last 4 children have never ever been, we always go to the firehouse or the church.

[allinaugust]

Originally Posted by got2save2

People upset over non neighborhood kids TOT'ing in there area. WOWZA, All this over 1 NIGHT ??

The poster has the benefit of knowing the full details of their post, so I think that could contribute to your opinion of the things said. I can only speak for the comment that I made, in regards to non-neighborhood children T or T'ing in my neighborhood. Not that I owe you , or anyone else an explanation, but, here's one anyway.

We lived in military housing and anyone who has lived in military housing will tell you,it is a bazillion kids. EVERY house litterally has 2 to 3 kids, so, we are seriously talking about a LOT of kids to begin with. It was not uncommon for us to go thru 20 bags of candy, and at $2 a bag, that's $40 right there. And, that is IF I got the candy for $2 a bag. So, yes, I had a problem with kids that were not from our neighborhood coming to T or T there.

Maybe I could have scaled back and only bought 5 bags of candy...but, then, maybe I would be chastised for not having enuf candy???

[Itscoldinhere]

We give out candy to whoever comes to the door. The last several years, it is been mostly older kids. Many are not dressed up. I could care less if they dress up or not. I give whoever comes to our house candy.

I buy miniature candy bars. Most stores have the bags on sale for $1.88 to $2.00/bag. I have some $1 off two bags coupons. I have bought 12 bags of candy bars. Anything left over will be eaten here in the house.

[got2save2]

guess i still dint understand, how is one to know whether or not the extra children are from different neighborhoods if as you said, there's tons of children to start with. maybe they have family visiting them or maybe they are throwing a party on Halloween night. maybe they live in a bad neighborhood and afraid to accept candy from people thats shady ? or its just really a bad neighborhood and very unsafe for kids and parents alike to be walking at night, ( we have 2 neighborhoods here that you wouldn't catch the people walking during the daylight never mind night time. / who's to know, But why get upset ? I can understand not wanting to but more than one can afford too buy, so why not just buy what you can afford and hand out till its gone. why get upset over it after all it's not a year around deal its only 1 night enjoy it and don't become upset. Thats all I'm saying. its a FUN NIGHT for all including the ones handing out the candy

BTW, You owe me NOTHING if you chose to reply thats fine , if you chose not too thats fine also.

[allinaugust]

Originally Posted by got2save2

guess i still dint understand, how is one to know whether or not the extra children are from different neighborhoods if as you said, there's tons of children to start with. maybe they have family visiting them or maybe they are throwing a party on Halloween night. maybe they live in a bad neighborhood and afraid to accept candy from people thats shady ? or its just really a bad neighborhood and very unsafe for kids and parents alike to be walking at night, ( we have 2 neighborhoods here that you wouldn't catch the people walking during the daylight never mind night time. / who's to know, But why get upset ? I can understand not wanting to but more than one can afford too buy, so why not just buy what you can afford and hand out till its gone. why get upset over it after all it's not a year around deal its only 1 night enjoy it and don't become upset. Thats all I'm saying. its a FUN NIGHT for all including the ones handing out the candy

BTW, You owe me NOTHING if you chose to reply thats fine , if you chose not too thats fine also.

We were in Hawaii at the time, and you can tell the "locals". They clearly did NOT live in housing. And, when they are coming by the truck load......if you lived in there, there is no need...it's all within walking distance. Honestly, you may have had to live there and been in the situation to understand it.

[got2save2]

Originally Posted by Itscoldinhere

We give out candy to whoever comes to the door. The last several years, it is been mostly older kids. Many are not dressed up. I could care less if they dress up or not. I give whoever comes to our house candy.

I buy miniature candy bars. Most stores have the bags on sale for $1.88 to $2.00/bag. I have some $1 off two bags coupons. I have bought 12 bags of candy bars. Anything left over will be eaten here in the house.

HEHE, I love the bags after Halloween sales, save some of your coupons and get a better deal on the candy, you can always stuff Christmas stocking with the extra candy We don't get TOT'ers here there's only 8 children with 4 being mine. in the 8 years we have owned this home we have never had 1 come to the door ( cant blame them living on a major highway sucks at times) But I saw on sale at a few places the really big bags of candy some had 300 candy bars( think it was Sam's) for 9.99 a bag. would LOVE to buy a bag but Geshh thats alot of candy to be eaten here LOL.

[BeachRatz]

I guess I will point out that I personally said, non-costumed teens get the cruddy stuff. Little ones, they get the good stuff that we are passing out. I would never question someone with no costume. I understand about little ones not liking costumes...we have shed many parts and pieces before the night was over and I am sure there are some little ones that freak as the costume is going on. Mine have always worn costumes because it is just part of the holiday for us. Being married on Halloween and having my reception be in costume, we like them, we wear them and our kids are not adverse to them. We decorate our yard, we take the time to make sure our yard is safe for little vistors and while my dh stays home to pass out candy I also pass stuff out of the wagon that we take when we go out TOTing.

Our neighborhood is inundated with children who live across a main street from us. Their neighborhood is not safe for TOTing so we welcome those kids and are glad to see them at our house. Our neighborhood is not riddled with prostitutes, drug dealers and guns so we are glad that those parents have taken the time to get the kids out and into a safer place.

PS...your son would be welcome to TOT at our house and if we realized he was freaked by the decor we would meet him at the street. We pass our candy out in the yard and we understand that some little ones do not want to approach with the decorations but we want them to know we are glad they came by.

[got2save2]

Originally Posted by allinaugust

We were in Hawaii at the time, and you can tell the "locals". They clearly did NOT live in housing. And, when they are coming by the truck load......if you lived in there, there is no need...it's all within walking distance. Honestly, you may have had to live there and been in the situation to understand it.

Gotta ya

[got2save2]

Originally Posted by BeachRatz

I guess I will point out that I personally said, non-costumed teens get the cruddy stuff. Little ones, they get the good stuff that we are passing out. I would never question someone with no costume. I understand about little ones not liking costumes...we have shed many parts and pieces before the night was over and I am sure there are some little ones that freak as the costume is going on. Mine have always worn costumes because it is just part of the holiday for us. Being married on Halloween and having my reception be in costume, we like them, we wear them and our kids are not adverse to them. We decorate our yard, we take the time to make sure our yard is safe for little vistors and while my dh stays home to pass out candy I also pass stuff out of the wagon that we take when we go out TOTing.

Our neighborhood is inundated with children who live across a main street from us. Their neighborhood is not safe for TOTing so we welcome those kids and are glad to see them at our house. Our neighborhood is not riddled with prostitutes, drug dealers and guns so we are glad that those parents have taken the time to get the kids out and into a safer place.

PS...your son would be welcome to TOT at our house and if we realized he was freaked by the decor we would meet him at the street. We pass our candy out in the yard and we understand that some little ones do not want to approach with the decorations but we want them to know we are glad they came by.

Thanks Beach thats really sweet for you to do this. Yes my 7 yo and 5 yo freak out over the scary stuff at Halloween. year before Last while at the firehouse party, the place they take the kids to go TOT some JERK chased the firetruck with a chainsaw ( the kids on the firetruck were all under 10 years old mostly between the ages of 2 and 6 ) my 5 yo and 7 yo were riding it with me, they nearly JUMPED off the truck, my 7 yo son totally freaked out over that and now he refuses to go near the truck forget about riding it now. a lot of the parents complained about that and the chief of the fire department requested they don't do anything like that again ( last year they didn't chase nor have anyone coming out dressed all scary to hand out candy ). While in Wal-Mart a few weeks back my 5 yo went with us tio shop, there stood near the isle where i needed to buy a table cloth ( not thinking about the scary things on the Halloween isle ) we passed this display with a head that talked, it started talking and making scary noises my 5 yo let out the loudest blood curling scream you wouldn't have wanted to be in ear shot of her LOL.. needless to say I had to hold her in the cart till we go out of there, LOL. ( Not funny, but she screamed so loud it freaked everyone out and the people around us all froze in their tracks to see what she was screaming about.

[HollyCochran]

AllinAugust, I can totally relate to what you are talking about. We are another Military family that gets inundated with car/van loads of kids in our Military Housing area when it comes time for Halloween, it's like we're a captive audience. The first year we were here, we had over 300 TOT's come to the door and being in Alaska, candy is not cheap at all, no matter how early you start buying it. Let's just say, I know for a fact they weren't all Military kids either since we only have 60 housing units here.

I won't be handing out candy this year, but there are a couple of kids that I made special bags for and will hand them out that day before all the hub-bub starts. Too many rude comments from a few military parents and people from in town last year about how chintzy/cheap the candy was (I handed out the full size blow-pops and suckers with the tootsie roll in the center....up here it costs about $15.99 for a box of 90 if I buy them in the bulk (Costco) section of the local grocery store).

[bellermom]

Here's what I posted in the other thread about Halloween.;0 Also there are kids out there that there parents can't afford costumes so I wouldn't penalize anyone little one that didn't have a costume.

We go to my parents house every year for Halloween. Where we live there are alot of seniors and they don't do TOT so we have for the last 9yrs we have left. I remember taking my 1yr old out trick or treating. I was so excited for his 1st TOT even though he couldn't eat the candy. We just enjoyed starting a tradition. From then on we have always taken and dressed up our kids for TOT'ing even if they were babies.

My ods son plans on taking his baby brother (6month) TOT'ing this year. He is so excited! By some of your answers maybe I shouldn't be letting him go TOT'ing with his brothers I really don't care what kind of candy the baby gets, I just get warm fuzzy feelings when my ds's want to take their new baby brother TOT'ing

Halloween is about one night, honesty who cares who comes to your house to get candy.

[CocoaDiva43]

Did you guy miss the .16 cent a bag at Target Last week...
$2.00 Target Coupon
$1.00 MFC
3/$5.00
They came to be .16 bags (Yummy)

[happy2behere]

What freaked me out one year is I was passing out candy to little kids and then all of the sudden I see a man's hairy arm I looked up real quick and it was a guy that had down syndrome soooooo let's just say I hooked him up and the kids that were with him of course.

I hope he had fun. I was just scared it was a creepy guy at first or something KWIM?

[mackeeg]

[quote=BeachRatz;2901037]I guess I will point out that I personally said, non-costumed teens get the cruddy stuff. QUOTE]

Yep that was me too. the teens (15-17)with no costumes with be getting Whoppers this year instead of Kit Kats and other candys. Here they will came to the door and just stick out there bag and not say and word. I will just stand there waiting and THEY look at me like I'M the one that is NUTS They finally realize to say TOT
The babies in the strollers get DUMDUMs or something with a stick so thier mamas can hold on to the stick and the babies can get the flavor.

[lisacb]

[quote=mackeeg;2901125]

Originally Posted by BeachRatz

I guess I will point out that I personally said, non-costumed teens get the cruddy stuff. QUOTE]

Yep that was me too. the teens (15-17)with no costumes with be getting Whoppers this year instead of Kit Kats and other candys. Here they will came to the door and just stick out there bag and not say and word. I will just stand there waiting and THEY look at me like I'M the one that is NUTS They finally realize to say TOT
The babies in the strollers get DUMDUMs or something with a stick so thier mamas can hold on to the stick and the babies can get the flavor.

Funny - everyone's taste is different - the Whoppers would be my pick over Kit Kats!!

We used to always do chocolate - my favorite - but DH & DDs started complaining - they like fruity stuff - starburst, suckers, gummy stuff and those nasty DOTS! So, now I buy both.

Lisa

[1boymom]

We get maybe 15 kids.

And we are some of those evil people who, in the past, went to a different neighborhood to TOT.

Our street has only about 15 houses on it, and they are very spread out (yes, we have a yard!! ) and only about 4 houses do the TOT thing. We would be walking around the neighborhood FOREVER to get candy for our son! We do the next door neighbor, and the 2 directly across the street from us. Most people in this neighborhood do other activities on Halloween and are not home (ourselves included).

This year, however, our son wants to TOT at the local mall, plus enter the costume contest. So he will be doing that instead of the neighborhood TOT.

We don't need all of that candy anyway. I normally end up throwing it out in Mid-November or DH takes it to work. Plus, I looked for his Halloween bucket and found a Charms bubblegum lollipop next to it, so that just reinforces it.


We buy 3 bags of chocolate candy. Which I have already opened, LOL. And each child gets 2-3 pieces of candy. No matter what their age/costume. If they say that they are TOT for a sibling I will give 2 pieces - 1 piece for each child.

Our neighbor across the street works at night, and last year he put a large bowl of candy on his front porch with a note : "Take one or two or three, but don't be greedy".

With the small amount of children in this area that TOT, we went there at 7pm when we got back from TOT and there was nothing in the bowl. We were shocked. And I bet you anything that it was the teenage kids that took it (They have since moved, and we will TOT there as soon as my son is home from school, just to ensure he gets his piece of candy!)

[genichols]

I'll admit that I have a hard time understanding why moms take babies out TOT'ing. Babies can't eat candy, so who eats the candy? Mom and the rest of the family!! IMHO, that's just greed. Usually these same moms are the ones that don't give out candy at their home either.

[mabear74]

Originally Posted by genichols

I'll admit that I have a hard time understanding why moms take babies out TOT'ing. Babies can't eat candy, so who eats the candy? Mom and the rest of the family!! IMHO, that's just greed. Usually these same moms are the ones that don't give out candy at their home either.

My oldest never went Trick or Treating as a baby, but all her sibling have, but 2 and under they never collected candy.....The siblings all went since I was taking DD.

[bellermom]

Originally Posted by mabear74

My oldest never went Trick or Treating as a baby, but all her sibling have, but 2 and under they never collected candy.....The siblings all went since I was taking DD.

I did take my oldest ds Tot'ing as stated when he was 1yr but I should have also said that our whole family when which includes kids 12yr and younger. So this is our tradition. Pooh on people that say I am greedy to take my LO TOT. Both my ods's are excited to take their brother out this year. This is a big thing to them. I am not expecting candy for him just for my ods's to have fun with their new brother.

There has been lots of adjustment having a new baby. Mds has felt a little left out so if he is excited about taking his new baby TOT'ing then I am all for it. I have to say that usually my children when they weren't old enough for candy but went TOT'ing we didn't go to the doors to ask for candy. DH or I usually held the LO in costume and 9 times out of 10 the people called us over to give him candy. LOL

I obviously don't give candy out personally in our neighborhood because there is mostly seniors and any kids that are in our park go elsewhere. But when we go to my parents house my dad or mom stay back to hand out candy at their house. They go all out. They have the only house on their block that is decorated fully. They go all out. They even dress up for Halloween. Usually it is my dad that goes with us since my mom doesn't like the rain and it usually rains.

I think if people have so many negative opinions on who should get candy and who shouldn't get candy then maybe they need to keep their light off. I think that these are probably the same people that are scrooges around Christmas too Halloween is about the children at least that is what I believed. We have so much fun dressing up, going to grandma's & grandpa's for dinner, TOT'ing with all the cousins. Coming back getting hot chocolate, separating/trading candy (all the kids do it) and then heading home to try to get them to bed.

[allinaugust]

Originally Posted by genichols

I'll admit that I have a hard time understanding why moms take babies out TOT'ing. Babies can't eat candy, so who eats the candy? Mom and the rest of the family!! IMHO, that's just greed. Usually these same moms are the ones that don't give out candy at their home either.

Mine didn't T or T until they could walk and hold their goody pumpkin. They were only 2 months old at Halloween, so I carried them in the snuggly when going with the older one(s). No candy for the baby in the snuggly. Even when they were old enuf to walk and carry their pumpkin, they'd only hit a few houses before they were ready to go back home.

To those of you who go outside of your n'hood to T or T, I don't think most people have a problem with a few kids, but, my instance was CAR LOADS and VAN LOADS, no kidding. IMO, it's like living in a gated community. Would you think of going to a gated community to T or T if you don't live there???

We lived in an area one year where people generally did not give out candy, so we went to the mall.

[Ambrianna]

Originally Posted by 1boymom

We get maybe 15 kids.

And we are some of those evil people who, in the past, went to a different neighborhood to TOT.

Our street has only about 15 houses on it, and they are very spread out (yes, we have a yard!! ) and only about 4 houses do the TOT thing. We would be walking around the neighborhood FOREVER to get candy for our son! We do the next door neighbor, and the 2 directly across the street from us. Most people in this neighborhood do other activities on Halloween and are not home (ourselves included).

There's different sides to every situation.

When I was in my teens, we had vans of kids come from a trailer park nearby? Why? Because they heard folks in our neighborhood gave out GOOD candy. These kids would come in with regular clothes and masks. They'd hit all the houses, go back to the van, change shirts , switch masks with each other and do it all again.

The trailer park they came from was TWICE the size of my neighborhood and I'd say my neighborhood had 100-150 houses. And yes, people there gave out candy too. Just not the kind THEY wanted. It got to the point that the kids that were from OUR neighborhood weren't getting candy because people were running out of candy and turning off their lights.

I understand why the OP might feel "shocked" at some responses, but I would bet in most cases that response is based on an experience. What was going on in our neighborhood had NOTHING to do with the spirit of Halloween, It had NOTHING to do with giving out some extra candy. It had ALL to do with greediness.

After a year or two of that, people started catching on and the local police positioned themselves at the 2 entrances to the neighborhood. The vans were turned away and thankfully, this stopped. I could never imagine as a parent, driving a van load of kids to another neighborhood and let them change shirts/masks again and again for the sole purpose of seeing how much loot they could get and to heck with the kids that actually lived there.

1boymom, your situation was totally different and I certainly wouldn't label you as "evil" - but there are situations as what my neighborhood dealt with, that it is justifiable to get angry over.

[chaos]

Thank you Ambriana for explaining things. I too have experienced what you describe and am just tired of being told I am negative or not thinking of the kids or just wrong because I express a desire not to be treated as a doormat by greedy people.

[mataje]

I wish kids would come to our neighborhood for TOT.but it is on a busy street and no lights and no sidewalks....WE do not even TOT in our neighborhood anymore,because very people give out candy.and walking 2 miles to get 3 candy,not very fun...
so we load up our van,ok ,3 kids and go to a friend's house and TOT with them ....

[Duchess]

Here, living in a semi remote area AND in the bottom of a long driveway AND in a "valley" of sorts, we never have kids here. I don't think they even know there's a house down here..LOL!

Kinda sad because hubby love halloween...

[mackeeg]

[quote=lisacb;2901172]

Originally Posted by mackeeg

Funny - everyone's taste is different - the Whoppers would be my pick over Kit Kats!!

We used to always do chocolate - my favorite - but DH & DDs started complaining - they like fruity stuff - starburst, suckers, gummy stuff and those nasty DOTS! So, now I buy both.

Lisa

The beginning of OP's post make me laugh this morning when I read it, I figured my crappy candy would be somebodys favorite! Just not my kids

[got2save2]

Originally Posted by Ambrianna

There's different sides to every situation.

When I was in my teens, we had vans of kids come from a trailer park nearby? Why? Because they heard folks in our neighborhood gave out GOOD candy. These kids would come in with regular clothes and masks. They'd hit all the houses, go back to the van, change shirts , switch masks with each other and do it all again.

The trailer park they came from was TWICE the size of my neighborhood and I'd say my neighborhood had 100-150 houses. And yes, people there gave out candy too. Just not the kind THEY wanted. It got to the point that the kids that were from OUR neighborhood weren't getting candy because people were running out of candy and turning off their lights.

I understand why the OP might feel "shocked" at some responses, but I would bet in most cases that response is based on an experience. What was going on in our neighborhood had NOTHING to do with the spirit of Halloween, It had NOTHING to do with giving out some extra candy. It had ALL to do with greediness.

After a year or two of that, people started catching on and the local police positioned themselves at the 2 entrances to the neighborhood. The vans were turned away and thankfully, this stopped. I could never imagine as a parent, driving a van load of kids to another neighborhood and let them change shirts/masks again and again for the sole purpose of seeing how much loot they could get and to heck with the kids that actually lived there.

1boymom, your situation was totally different and I certainly wouldn't label you as "evil" - but there are situations as what my neighborhood dealt with, that it is justifiable to get angry over.

In a case as this yes I would understand feeling that way. I would never have thought of ANYONE allowing their children or Friends of their children doing this, thats wrong on every level. So Yes I would understand it. I took the post(s) as meaning that ANYONE going to other's neighborhoods to TOT was unwelcome and frowned upon. thats why I didn't understand it.
As far as the crappy candy hand outs, I have to say I still don't get that at all. No matter if they are teens or children, Not everyone likes to dress up , wear makeup, mask, etc etc, But if they want to enjoy getting treats they have to TOT in order to get them dressed up or not. ( KWIM).. So I'm still having a hard time understanding this.

Babies not old enough to walk let alone TOT, Hmm I can't say I did this myself, I think the 1st time I ever took one of mine out they were walking and talking enough to say Trick or Treat to the person. I know for a fact i never pushed one in a stroller or carried one, So I believe they were all walking and talking. I didn't do alot of TOT'ing with my kids when they were younger, If we did it was my grandfather's neighborhood we went to, because we always went to his home for Halloween. He loved to see people dressed up. So I don't know *really* how I feel about this one. Part says its wrong others part says whats the big deal..

Teens trick or treating, I really can't say I have a huge problem with this as they are still kids even most adults are little kids in adult bodies, I don't think I would limit or not give to a teen all because that is what they are. Heck some adults like candy even more so than a kid LOL.

Thanks for replying everyone, I'm understanding so of this and some I'm still trying to figure out.

[Ambrianna]

Originally Posted by got2save2

Not everyone likes to dress up , wear makeup, mask, etc etc, But if they want to enjoy getting treats they have to TOT in order to get them dressed up or not. ( KWIM).. So I'm still having a hard time understanding this.

But isn't this a big part of what Halloween is about?

(I'm not talking about children who might be autistic and have a very bad problem with costumes/make-up, although I've never heard of this before.)

Maybe it's a difference in parts of the country but in all my years this is THE first I've heard of kids who don't want to dress up, wear make-up, masks, etc. Every year I TOT'ed, this was HUGE. Plans were made at least 3 - 4 months in advance as to who wanted to be what. (And of course, no one could EVER be the same as someone else in a class! LOL!!) If a costume couldn't be bought or afforded, it was made, and kids pitched in and helped each other. The fun in scaring, mystifying and fooling the neighbors (yeah, most knew who we were anyways, but we all played along) all to get a treat! It was pure joy from start to finish.

My sisters and brother are considerably younger than me and I TOT'ed with them. I'd dress up myself and take them around while my Mom stayed and handed out candy (Dad was a volunteer Fireman and worked their doing every year). EVERY kid was dressed up as something/someone. In the 80's and early 90's when I visited north - all the same.

I guess I grew up with that EFFORT should to be put forth into this event and "costuming" was the effort of the children. The word "community" comes to mind. It's like a big play and each has his own part in it. The kids had a part and the neighbors had a part. Kids dressed up - neighbors gave candy. It was a real give and take event.

It was a FUN type of scared and we were proud of whatever we chose or made to be. We didn't expect to show up in street clothes and just be handed candy for that. Take away the EFFORT into Halloween and it's about the equivalent of showing up on someone's doorstep, holding out a bag and saying "Gimme". There's fun, planning, ceremony, "funwork" that goes into Halloween/TOT'ing. Take that all away and it's not "TOT'ing" it's more like "expecting".

I guess to some it might be crazy to put all that into it, but I can tell you we had the BEST times around Halloween in our neighborhood (except for those couple years with the "van visitors") and everyone was great.

[mailady]

[quote=Ambrianna;2901324]There's different sides to every situation.
After a year or two of that, people started catching on and the local police positioned themselves at the 2 entrances to the neighborhood. The vans were turned away and thankfully, this stopped. I could never imagine as a parent, driving a van load of kids to another neighborhood and let them change shirts/masks again and again for the sole purpose of seeing how much loot they could get and to heck with the kids that actually lived there.


On what grounds could the police turn these people away? Was it a gated community?

[Ambrianna]

Originally Posted by mailady

On what grounds could the police turn these people away? Was it a gated community?

No idea and no, it wasn't a gated community. Tresspassing, maybe? I don't know.

[got2save2]

Originally Posted by Ambrianna

But isn't this a big part of what Halloween is about?
(I'm not talking about children who might be autistic and have a very bad problem with costumes/make-up, although I've never heard of this before.)

You have never heard of a child being scared of scary looking people ? then you truly never been around a child with *real to life fears of scary things* My 7 year old and 5 year old freak out on things like this, no matter how many time we have told them it's not real, in their little minds its just as real as what they are looking at. Heck even my 8 year old will see something whether on TV or in real life and ask is that really a person or can they really do that ... So to some children and even adults fears can play a huge roll into things that they view as being real or could be real. I have fears myself, as silly as they might be to others, I can PROMISE you I will NOT go into my attic with out my husband checking it out 1st and giving me a clearing to come up and I'm 42 years old, Any attic or basement totally freaks me out and I feel as I can't breathe. Maybe I have read your response wrong when you say you have never heard of this.

[Ambrianna]

Originally Posted by got2save2

You have never heard of a child being scared of scary looking people ? then you truly never been around a child with *real to life fears of scary things* My 7 year old and 5 year old freak out on things like this, no matter how many time we have told them it's not real, in their little minds its just as real as what they are looking at. Heck even my 8 year old will see something whether on TV or in real life and ask is that really a person or can they really do that ... So to some children and even adults fears can play a huge roll into things that they view as being real or could be real. I have fears myself, as silly as they might be to others, I can PROMISE you I will NOT go into my attic with out my husband checking it out 1st and giving me a clearing to come up and I'm 42 years old, Any attic or basement totally freaks me out and I feel as I can't breathe. Maybe I have read your response wrong when you say you have never heard of this.

I don't think you misread. I honestly have not heard of this as all my classes/neighborhood friends were SOOO psyched about Halloween. I never knew one single person or heard of any person that was afraid.

You mentioned in your first post about taking them TOT'ing. If they're that afraid - and Halloween I think at least, is supposed to be "fun" scary not "scary" scary, but if they can't discern between the two - why not having something special at your house just for them? Instead of going out? I don't know if I'm misreading your post, but it seems to me that your kids are REALLY afraid, I wouldn't understand taking them out.

[Ambrianna]

Hehe, the more I think about all the fun me and my friends had, the more I'm getting excited for Wednesday and to see all the kiddies that come by!

I think we get about 30 or 40, more than we used to get, but not as many as I wish would come by. They all dress up around here and they're soooo cute, I love seeing all the costumes. Some of the little ones are so absolutely adorable and of course the parents love it when I gush over them!

[donnaquilt]

Our T & T was this past Sunday afternoon. I guess we are considered a decent neighborhood because we get the people pulling up in vans -- big time. Honestly, we had 250 - 300 trick or treaters. It gets expensive. I know most of the kids in a 3 block radius and we simply have no where near that many kids. I spent about 30 dollars on bags of candy that were on sale. I give it out until its gone, and then I shut the light off. We have a 3 hour trick or treat time in our city. Most of the kids come in the first hour and a half.

I don't really care if they are from the neighborhood or not, but when you get that many kids -- WOW!

I didn't know about the Target candy sale for 16 cents. How cool!!

[snoopy24]

Well we go either threw my grandmas neighborhood or my moms I tried TOTINg here when we first moved in & my oldest was 5 but we had to walk about a mile up & down hills with no sidewalks to find 1 house with a light on so we never ever did it again. And like I stated in another post its usually so cold on halloween night we have snowsuits on over the costumes so you may not notice we are dressed up they dont do tons of makeup though & usually no masks they do however love coloring thier hair for halloween but because its so dark you may not see that either. All I can say is if you are gonna be cranky dont turn your light on its that simple.

[got2save2]

Originally Posted by Ambrianna

I don't think you misread. I honestly have not heard of this as all my classes/neighborhood friends were SOOO psyched about Halloween. I never knew one single person or heard of any person that was afraid.

You mentioned in your first post about taking them TOT'ing. If they're that afraid - and Halloween I think at least, is supposed to be "fun" scary not "scary" scary, but if they can't discern between the two - why not having something special at your house just for them? Instead of going out? I don't know if I'm misreading your post, but it seems to me that your kids are REALLY afraid, I wouldn't understand taking them out.

My Children don't go Trick or Treating, Last time I took one of my 7 children out my 26 year was 10 years old. None of the last 4 children have ever been to a house, we go to the firehouse or the church to which there's not many it any scary costumes there. but when my 7 yo sees s1 with a scary outfit on he does freak out and will not for the life of him go near them. same with my 5 yo. and Of course with the church everyone is asked NOT to dress in scary costumes, but *friendly* ones for the better part people do this, but as with anything/ party you do have the ones that dress like Jason, Freddie, etc, etc.
Being our 7 yo son has Autism he doesn;t walk anywhere with out hubby or I beside him so we can pretty much direct him away from anyone scary looking people, None of the workers at either party dress in anything spooky looking esp at the firehouse, they all wear their normal uniforms, as far as the church they dress funny looking or from the bible.

[allinaugust]

Just curious....to those who T or T "elsewhere" , do you bring candy to pass out to the kids along your route??

[snoopy24]

No we dont bring candy to pass out but like I said we go to my moms neighborhood & my mom passes out tons does that count & if we go to the other neighborhood my grandma is passing it out does any of that count??? BTW we are probably so well known in those areas no one notices we dont really live thier.

[Colegirl]

well I give everyone candy, more to the ones that sing or do something for it though!!! I don't like it when they come in open their bag and don't say not even one word (if they are dressed like a mime, fine) But i always had to sing or atleast say "trick or treat". And as far as how many kids Let me just say you can't pull out of the driveway on halloween here without running someone over! But whatever thats the fun of it, right?

[ballmom]

Good grief! I never even thought about half of this crap!! My baby is 13 months old, and I got very excited about getting his little "monkey" costume! I really just plan on taking him around to a few houses, then maybe somewhere to eat. But it never occured to me that any of that would be frowned upon! We live in a good neighborhood, and I love seeing all the different kids and costumes come around. I know a ton of people pour in here from other areas, but I have no idea why, nor will I waste anytime trying to figure it out. It's a fun night! Period! I remember enjoying getting the wits scared out of us when somebody would scare us as we were t or t! Maybe I'm the weird one, but I am looking forward to all things Halloween!!! Happy Haunting!!!

[cjs216]

I agree with ya, ballmom. I take it as a sign that life is overall going pretty well for folks and that's good news! Let the Halloween FUN begin!

cj/

[rebeccarr]

Originally Posted by got2save2

You have never heard of a child being scared of scary looking people ? then you truly never been around a child with *real to life fears of scary things* My 7 year old and 5 year old freak out on things like this, no matter how many time we have told them it's not real, in their little minds its just as real as what they are looking at. Heck even my 8 year old will see something whether on TV or in real life and ask is that really a person or can they really do that ... So to some children and even adults fears can play a huge roll into things that they view as being real or could be real. I have fears myself, as silly as they might be to others, I can PROMISE you I will NOT go into my attic with out my husband checking it out 1st and giving me a clearing to come up and I'm 42 years old, Any attic or basement totally freaks me out and I feel as I can't breathe. Maybe I have read your response wrong when you say you have never heard of this.

Do you think that maybe they are sensing your fears? Since you are scared to go in the attic and basement, maybe they think there are monsters up/down there?

I also don't see where this pertains to a child dressing up or not. There are many costumes that are non-threatening.

Rebecca

[skeevylorrie]

I didn't read everything word for word, but special needs kids (Autism and such) need to be treated with kid gloves at times and really have some major fears. Here's an easier way of thinking of it........ My dd is deathly afraid of certain bugs. Most kids when they see them will maybe give a little scream and run away while my dd will scream bloody murder and freeze in her tracks, shake, and it sounds like someone is murdering her.

Trick or Treating and Halloween is a very social event. I can tell you Halloween parties, gatherings and trick or treating can be very hard with an Autistic child. Mine was always sooooo excited to go out and celebrate, but had a hard time when doing it when she was younger. I hate labeling kids, but one year I put a name tag on her that said Hello my name is A and I am Autistic. The year before, people would ask her to say trick or treat clearer/louder and such. The worst part was when they would stick out the bowl of candy and she would take 5 years and would look at every piece of candy. I had so many people thank us for putting the little name tag on her and it really helped things go smoother and my dd had a great time with minimal stress.

Just thought I'd add some food for thought to this discussion and try to explain our experiences with Autism and Halloween. Not sure how much applies to the OP, but.....

[rebeccarr]

Skeevy, thanks for your input, but you may be giving away your identity.

Rebecca

[skeevylorrie]

that's okay It was not created to deceive!

[cjs216]

I personally don't think that we can make every holiday or every activity friendly to every child that might be potentially afflicted with a physical, mental, neurological condition or ailment or friendly to every possible cultural or religious belief. Everyone has the choice to opt out of things. As much as we would like it to untrue, life is just not fair. If a child is afraid of Halloween decor or trick or treating.....then don't go.

Flamethrowers - LAUNCH!

cj/

[Polve]

Originally Posted by cjs216

I personally don't think that we can make every holiday or every activity friendly to every child that might be potentially afflicted with a physical, mental, neurological condition or ailment or friendly to every possible cultural or religious belief. Everyone has the choice to opt out of things. As much as we would like it to untrue, life is just not fair. If a child is afraid of Halloween decor or trick or treating.....then don't go.

Flamethrowers - LAUNCH!

cj/

I agree......exception being...... I feel that when people are passing out candy that they don't require the child to say Trick or Treat or yell or whatever. If you ask them and they don't respond just drop the candy in the bag and move on...don't keep asking.

I don't understand the parents say that their kid with autism can't wear a costume....my 6 yr old son who is autistic has always worn a costume. There are tons of options out there that don't require bulky pieces, mask, make-up, wings or whatever.

[AMulquin]

Yes, I was a little taken aback by some of the comments. However, having read thru some replies I now understand some peoples concerns a little more.

[Ambrianna]

Originally Posted by cjs216

I personally don't think that we can make every holiday or every activity friendly to every child that might be potentially afflicted with a physical, mental, neurological condition or ailment or friendly to every possible cultural or religious belief. Everyone has the choice to opt out of things. As much as we would like it to untrue, life is just not fair. If a child is afraid of Halloween decor or trick or treating.....then don't go.

Flamethrowers - LAUNCH!

cj/

I agree somewhat. I think it's good that efforts are made, but there are ALWAYS going to be some that it just can't be 100%. That's how life is for everyone.

Originally Posted by Polve

I don't understand the parents say that their kid with autism can't wear a costume....my 6 yr old son who is autistic has always worn a costume. There are tons of options out there that don't require bulky pieces, mask, make-up, wings or whatever.

Maybe it depends on the level of autism? I haven't read much on it, but I thought I have read in the past there are varying degrees, from severe to so mild it can be misdiagnosed.

[Polve]

Originally Posted by Ambrianna

Maybe it depends on the level of autism? I haven't read much on it, but I thought I have read in the past there are varying degrees, from severe to so mild it can be misdiagnosed.

There is a spectrum, however, there are tons of costumes that are just everyday clothes. No matter how severe the autism, you can't tell me that parents allow there children to treat or treat naked

[mazzymay]

Originally Posted by allinaugust

Just curious....to those who T or T "elsewhere" , do you bring candy to pass out to the kids along your route??

We trick or treat in my MIL's neighborhood. There are tons of kids in vans being driven around. We don't pass out any candy to the kids along the way. MIL hands candy every year.

This year it'll just be my 5 year old. The baby is too little (15 months) and the oldest is "too old" (13).

[got2save2]

Never said Halloween should ALL be kid friendly( didnt post that never said that ), Said my kids DONT like scary looking thngs it scares them. All part of being a person with FEARS of the UNKNOWN.

Never said him having Autism was the reason he didnt dress up, Said he will NOT wear a mask nor make up , same with my 5 yo, Some kids like it other's dont, sure if we picked a little deeper into a lot of members fears we could ALL find something they like that someone else didnt.

Never said we didnt take them out on Halloween or * Opt* out of doing it, Said we have never been to a house to TOT, had NOTHING to do with my son, had more to do with where we live and the homes being so spaced apart.

And I sure as hell never said noone didnt have a right to dress as they pleased, Said we try to avoid places and people that looked scary to them.

Now this is cleared up,

Happy Halloween to everyone.