They are high, they are low, they crash, they still beg for more candy...
Today's Give Me 5 for Friday is all about things that I have learned about this wonderful, joyous holiday called Halloween since I have become a parent.
Here we go:
1. Halloween is a pain in the ass...and the wallet.
Why? Well, I have learned that parents definitely stress over their childrens' costumes more than the kids do. The kids have no idea what we go through.
Child: I want to be Taylor Swift.
Mom: Really? UGH, how are you going to do that?
Child: Well, that's all I really want to be! PLEAAAASSSSSEEE?
Parent feverishly searches Internet to find a "pop star" dress, wig, microphone, guitar...$60 later. Then the kid doesn't want to wear half of the stuff while trick or treating.
Child: The wig is itchy. I don't want to carry the guitar.
Well, I want a damn refund.
2. It's just uncomfortable.
I don't know about you, but I don't really enjoy sending my kids knocking on the doors of complete strangers to get their hands on a piece of free candy. It's awkward.
3. It's not the same as it was "back in the day".
Back when I was a kid, you just made a costume out of stuff around the house. I think I was a "hobo" 3 different years. Or a witch or clown. And if you were really lucky, you could get one of those plastic costumes and masks. They were sweet.
Then you could eat as much candy as you wanted until you puked in the street. Right? Did that ever happen to you? Just eat it up...as much as your little heart desired. There was no judgement from other parents or no "just one piece tonight" rules. The "just one piece a day" rule will make the candy last about 2 months. NO THANKS!
4. The kids love it.
As much of a pain in the ass as it may be, the kids just LOVE it. This leads me to #5...
5. You will do it all again next year.
Since the kids love it so, you will do the whole song and dance again year after year...for as many years as your kids will allow you to be a part of this holiday with them Because one day the kids won't want to go trick or treating with their parents...then they won't want to go at all. They won't dress up and believe that they do, in fact, look just like Taylor Swift or a princess or a real cowgirl. They will be too big for all of this nonsense and you might just wish that you could take your little ones around for Halloween just one more time.
So until next year...
Crying. Omg. The Princess has been 'that' age for 2 Halloweens now. *sniffle* It's so weird. It was always a pain in the ass. Now, I miss it. Smooches, Cyn A.D.D. Music Mamma
ReplyDeleteI keep telling myself, next year, we'll do things a little different. If it rains, we wont go out. If the kids cry over a costume, I wont go to the ends of the earth to get them what they want.. Well, maybe next year I guess. I agree with everything on that list, even though I don't want to think about them being too big to go with their parent's trick or treating..
ReplyDeleteOne of mine is already getting the *aren't you too old for this* look. He is only 14 as of yesterday, and all his friends went. But, he is 6'1" tall, and looks like he could be 17 with his budding facial hair. So I get it. But, right now his 3 year old brother is the reason we all still go as a family and we love the family time. What can you do?
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to create cool costumes for my kids, and they wanted those crappy plastic ones from K-Mart. Ugh. Sometimes I won. But I remember how exciting it was when I was little; having to make it through a family dinner before we could go trick-or-treating just added to the anticipation. No matter what they wear, they will remember the feeling, and that you were there with them. And I say...let 'em eat the candy! The more they gobble, the sooner it's gone!
ReplyDeleteI'm a nerdy halloween lover... there, I've admitted it! Of course, we've really only had 2 where the kids are at all aware of what's going on, so I may switch sides sooner or later!
ReplyDeletewww.dirtyrottenparenting.com
This was llovely to read
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