When I was growing up, my sister and I went trick or treating alone, from house to house, all around our neighborhood or town (depending on where we lived at the time). We received packaged candies, apples, and homemade treats such as brownies or cookies. Mom and Dad never checked our candy or treats for "tampering" nor did they limit how much we ate. (They believed a stomach ache cured all children of overeating candy. It did.)
Then the fear mongering began. Suddenly, only psychopathic child haters gave out homemade treats or fresh fruit. Parents needed to accompany children of all ages trick or treating, since children somehow magically lost the ability to do this alone. Packaged candy needs to carefully examined by a responsible adult to ensure the candy isn't poisoned.
Where did our common sense go? How did it get to be so bad?
This year, I am going to rebel against the fear mongering, against the insanity of it all. This year, I am going to make homemade chocolate chip cookies and hand them out in sandwich bags as treats. I may even include my phone number, so that concerned parents can call and ask me questions.
Why am I doing this?
Because someone has to. Someone needs to point out the wrongness of this situation. And it might as well be me. The only question I have is, how many people are willing to join me? Will you give out homemade treats or fresh fruit this year? If the answer is "yes", please leave me a comment and I'll cheer you on. If the answer is "no", I'd like to know why.
Then the fear mongering began. Suddenly, only psychopathic child haters gave out homemade treats or fresh fruit. Parents needed to accompany children of all ages trick or treating, since children somehow magically lost the ability to do this alone. Packaged candy needs to carefully examined by a responsible adult to ensure the candy isn't poisoned.
Where did our common sense go? How did it get to be so bad?
This year, I am going to rebel against the fear mongering, against the insanity of it all. This year, I am going to make homemade chocolate chip cookies and hand them out in sandwich bags as treats. I may even include my phone number, so that concerned parents can call and ask me questions.
Why am I doing this?
Because someone has to. Someone needs to point out the wrongness of this situation. And it might as well be me. The only question I have is, how many people are willing to join me? Will you give out homemade treats or fresh fruit this year? If the answer is "yes", please leave me a comment and I'll cheer you on. If the answer is "no", I'd like to know why.
Nope, but it's because we never get anyone coming to our door so why bother. We usually go elsewhere for Halloween.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, Julie? That's just sad, especially considering that there are kids in your neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you come to our neighborhood this year? Your kids can get free cookies. :-D
We won't be at home, or I would do this--already making tasty treats for the Halloween party we're going to in lieu of trick or treating.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for doing this and attempting to reverse the fear trend! I hope it's a huge success and people will follow your example!
ReplyDeleteWe don't hand out anything at all because we live out in the country and nobody has ever come to our house in the past 13 years we've lived here. ;) The 5 kids within a couple of miles' radius would have to walk the entire evening to get very little goodies. LOL!
I love me some Lenore Skenazy.
ReplyDeleteI am 100% behind you on this! I can remember my neighbor who would buy TONS of Girl Scout cookies from me in Feb, then freeze them, bag them and hand them out at halloween, usually with some stickers or pencils. My parents never questioned it, and that was one of my favorite treats. Mrs. M's house was always the first one we'd hit.
ReplyDeleteI'd be making homemades if it weren't for being 8 months preggo and on bedrest! You go, girl!
Marika, I hope you have fun at your Halloween party.
ReplyDeleteTeresa - I forgot how far out in the middle of nowhere you live!
Melissa - Yes, I do love me some Lenore Skenazy.
Christy G. - Thanks for the support! I hope the local Moms feel the same way. Also, congratulations on the pregnancy!
We have very limited kids in our neighborhood less than 10 I am sure and most are new. We don't have street lights which I am sure also contributes.
ReplyDelete