2020's Halloween plans looked different because of the precautions we took to stay safe from the virus; we wore masks, stayed away from busy streets with crowded sidewalks, and used a lot of hand sanitizer. Many people chose not to go out at all and found creative ways to celebrate at home. This year, 80% of people surveyed by the National Confectioners Association say they will take their kids trick-or-treating. Because my kids aren’t vaccinated and the health crisis is not over, we’ll continue to use extra caution when we go out again this year. But and especially because of the unusual circumstances that changed Halloween last year, I’ve embraced the chaos and debauchery of Halloween evening, and here’s why you should, too.
Halloween is the epitome of kid joy, and not just little kid joy. Let the big kids and teenagers have fun, too. Adulthood comes way too fast, so don’t judge the bigger trick-or-treaters who are still soaking up a night of fun with their friends. There are a lot worse things a teen could be doing than asking for full-size Snickers.
The day is about costumes, parties, treats, and collecting pounds of free candy. Halloween is imagination and desire turned into real-life dreams come true. Kids — especially the little ones — know the day is for and about them, so let’s get out of their way and away from the usual routine on Halloween. It might help if you first remember what it was like when you were a kid who set out for trick-or-treating.
I got the “Don’t eat anything that’s been opened” and “Watch out for cars” speech and then ran off into the night to hit up as many houses as possible. None of the best stuff was ever already open, so I ate a piece of candy for every few I put into my pillow case. Sorting out the empty wrappers was as much of the process as counting and sorting the unopened bounty at the end of the night. Once the organizing was settled, trading with my sibling began, and the candy eating continued. But almost as good as trick-or-treating was talking about our haul with friends the next day. Halloween was epic.
My kids are 10 and 8, so they don’t go out alone yet, but I’m excited by their excitement and shove many of my parenting rules aside for the night. We don’t sit for dinner because they’re too excited to sit for anything, and the last thing I want to deal with is a child who can’t stop tipping their chair and dropping food on the floor. Once a kid has on their costume, I try to get them to eat at least a slice of pizza or a few bites of macaroni and cheese, and then we’re off.
I know the next two or three hours are going to be loud and fast and full of sugar, which means I also know we’re not going to stay with our usually strict bedtime schedule — the one I stick to despite causing my own anxiety at times. Two of my three kids are sensitive to changes in their sleep habits and become walking nightmares if they stay up too late or don’t get enough sleep. But on nights like Halloween, my kids take on a sense of authority and silly righteousness when they know bedtime will be later than normal. Their smug cuteness makes up for the likelihood of a meltdown or grumpy start to the next morning. But it’s Halloween, d*mn it, and candy needs to be had, and piles need to be made on the kitchen floor when we get home.
Halloween is a great excuse to give your kids a “yes day” situation and lets you off the hook of some parental duties, too. It’s our responsibility to give kids boundaries and help them make good decisions, but it’s important to have fun with them, too. Letting our kids go bonkers means we can loosen the reins. Our kids love to see us be silly, and a night of breaking the rules usually turns out to be better than we think it will be. When there isn’t the push and pull of what is expected to happen, good connections happen, and the best memories are made.
Oh, there will likely be a meltdown, a fight, or the need to stop and eat “real” food because Sour Patch Kids just won’t cure a hangry child. Expecting one or all of these occurrences makes it so much easier when they happen. And when they do happen, be thankful Halloween is a holiday that doesn’t involve wrapping presents, hiding eggs, or making a huge meal. Halloween is the easiest special day of the year for parents and guardians because there’s little planning involved and requires little emotional energy. We don’t have to make magic on Halloween; we just need to embrace it.
Routines will be reestablished, meals will be more balanced again, and sleep will be made up. But the memories of epic Halloweens will last forever. Let the kids go wild; the temporary pain of an exhausted and sugared-up kid is worth it.
