It’s happening. My sweet son, who in previous years dressed up as adorable Pokémons or super heroes, wants a scary Halloween costume this year.
I suppose, it’s a right of passage signifying that he is now a mature young Tween who has sufficiently mastered his fears to be able to handle a frightening persona.
He’s following the same path as his older sister, who at about the same age asked to dress as a vampire. Hopefully, like big sister, this is something he just needs to try out. He may go back to happier costumes in the future - although it’s doubtful that he will ever copy his sister who followed up the vampire year with an American Doll costume (Kayla as Kit, Year 2004.)
Then, again, sometimes the scariest Halloween costumes aren’t always the supernatural monsters but the dangers lurking in your own home or the aging reveler. And, even the funny gag costumes can lead to frightening scenarios!
What will you do when your child asks to wear a scary costume? Or, has that happened already? How did you answer?
More Halloween Articles:
Jack O Lantern - Video and recipes all about this Halloween tradition.
Opting Out of Halloween Tradition - Our costumes, and Halloween themes, through the years.
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Liese4 10.17.08 at 9:35 am
Easy…..don’t do halloween.
We don’t and everyone thinks my kids are missing out, but then again we don’t do santa, the easter bunny or the tooth fairy either.
My kids can dress up any day they want too, except for Oct. 31st. They get candy whenever they want, not just on Oct. 31st, so no, they don’t feel left out.
Pamela Kramer 10.17.08 at 11:53 am
Great question and I’m not sure.
Oh geez Dad went as … nevermind.
I think we take it in stride. lol
Anne 10.17.08 at 11:58 am
Having 2 girls, I am much more concerned about the trashy costumes (scary isn’t a big issue in our house). I have to admit, I do not allow trashy costumes, but it is a different type of situation. I would probably let them go with scary costumes if they were old enough (the arbitrary cut-off in my mind is 3rd grade).
Krista 10.17.08 at 1:33 pm
Hi,
I read your article, and, while I myself don’t do Halloween, even though I have a daughter, I have posted on my site an interesting article about Halloween and children….
http://www.ghostvideosblog.com/ghost-stories/telling-ghost-stories-leading-children-to-the-occult
Now while your children aren’t necessarily what the article says, just the mere fact of what Halloween really means is enough for me to make an educated decision not to do it. Halloween stems from the Occult, and just the fact that Halloween is all about ghouls and demons, is enough to make me say “no way”.
But, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I understand that not everyone agrees with mine.
But seeing as your question was not necessarily a question of morals or ethics, I guess the real answer to your question is….
To get them not to dress as scary things, I just don’t do Halloween. I agree with the poster who stated that. Do some research on what it means first. I hope I am not sounding judgmental, because that is not my intent. I am just giving my honest opinion.
Sandra Foyt 10.17.08 at 6:55 pm
Well, these are some interesting responses. It never occurred to me to cancel Halloween; we enjoy it too much.
However, I appreciate these alternative viewpoints. It’s always good to consider other opinions.
Barbara 10.17.08 at 8:37 pm
Scary can be fun. Little draculas for example are so adorable.