Ok, so it is Halloween. It is the time of year where people let their kids go from house to house and hit people up for candy. I don’t like Halloween or many of the things that go along with it. Kids are kids however and feel like they are missing something if you dont provide an alternative to Halloween. They want candy…they like dressing up…and they like the idea of going out unsupervised. We don’t live in an Andy Griffin type of society anymore and unsupervised activities can lead to horrible situations.
We usually do something different with our kids and have a fall harvest celebration. If the weather is decent we will have a campfire and maybe we do something like put up a pinata with a minimum of candy to tickle their fancy; but, not enough to be obscene about how much candy they end up consuming. It is a good idea to have some games planned and invite their friends. Be prepared for loud and boisterous fun…but that is ok…they are supposed to be having a good time.
My main concern about this time of year is safety and spiritual well-being. Some Halloween revelers take things to a level glorifying evil and gore. I don’t like all of the gore, the frightening costumes, the evil that seems to be celebrated by some. Most of all, i don’t like how vulnerable the kids are to violence, to kidnapping, or to many of the other dangers that go along with the so called “holiday”. I think it is a good time to remind parents to keep your kids close…minimize the danger that they are exposed to.
When it comes to costumes…make sure that they have some kind of reflective quality so that they can be seen in the low lighting conditions. Have them carry a lighting device or a glow stick. Go over reminders of safe street crossings and appropriate approaches to people’s homes and property. There are some people who do not watch out for little ones crossing streets and sidewalks. Then there are those who don’t appreciate kids and teens prancing across their lawns “begging for candy”.
Every year we hear of parties that have gone wrong and someone is killed or injured in a fight or in a case of over-reaction to a misunderstanding. We hear about kids who go about doing destructive pranks and then their are the occasional people with emotional/anger/substance abuse issues who react violently. We hear about teens horsing around and accidents happening where another in the crowd is injured or killed because things get out of control. There are incidents of bullying or gang activity. There are rapes…and kidnappings; children become lost or missing in communities; they are at risk for predators at this time of year especially when it is acceptable to be walking the streets with masks on and in disquise. Large cities often have issues with “devil’s night” fires and looting. These things can be minimized if parents take steps to insure that they know where their kids are and what they are doing…as well as who they are with.
It is wise to go out with your children if you are going to allow them to go trick or treating. Don’t let them out of your site. You really don’t know who to trust and who your child/teen will be meeting up with. It seems weekly that there are reports of missing and or exploited children…noone wants their child to be one of them. We have heard too any news stories recently about children who have been violated or murdered to just let them go off and wish them a good time. Parenting responsibilities don’t end just because your kids may be able to go off with a crowd.
Even teens…God bless them can get caught up in situations that either are not in their best interest or that can endanger them. Your teens probably won’t verbalize their appreciation if you take a protective stance about their activities…however, no one ever promised that parenting would win you any popularity contest, now did they? Create an alternative environment for them to get together with their friends; but, still be supervised and protected. Law enforcement officers will appreciate the help because they can’t be everywhere at once.
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