Should your teenager go trick-or-treating?
October 20, 2011 by Scott Mayes
Trick-or-treating. It’s coming. Better get ready.
One thing that parents always seem to have an opinion about is “what to accept” in that bag — what kind of candy are you willing to let Johnny eat? This is usually a wrapped vs. unwrapped debate.
But, here’s another Halloween query:
How old should your kids be when they stop going out?
In our house – our boys are ages 16, 11 and 1 – the likely scenario is one who doesn’t want to go, one who does and one who wants some more milk and will head out if “that’s what big brother is doing.”
So, how old is too old?
Like anything else, you should know your kids and their friends.
If your teenager is heading out to torment smaller children, that’s not going to end well.
If your 16 year-old wants to go out (without adults), you should ask yourself two questions:
1) Do you trust your kid?
2) Do you trust those he’s going out with?
If this combination of people has led to trouble in the past, the answer is a pretty easy one.
Now, what will he dress up as? That’s another topic for another day, but if he’s willing to embarrass himself, who are you to stand in the way?
Enjoy the night – and good luck getting your sugared-up angels to bed!
• An editor by day, Scott Mayes is also dad to Matthew, Micah and Nathan. He’s a high school parent, a youth football dad and changes diapers. He’s experienced many things as a parent, but is absolutely clueless about raising daughters.
Filed under Dadventures
I totally agree with this article…parents should know their kiddo’s best intentions, regardless of their age. Yet, coming from a home who passes out around $100 worth of candy every Holloween, I have one suggestion.
I don’t think it is a matter of age, it is a matter of their investment.
Any child that is at that age where they might be “questionable” for trick or treating, should follow the first rule. You have to have a costume. Yes, a REAL one.
Just wearing a mask isn’t necessarily a costume. Nor is putting a hat and a hoodie on. It’s frustrating as a parent when you see kids just out for the sugar fix and could care less about their presentation.
I believe the candy should be the reward for their efforts in creativity and imagination. It doesn’t need to break your bank, go to the thrift store, use things from home, glue something, grab mom’s old makeup box; make your kiddo something fun and exciting!
Yes, I might be that parent that gives one kiddo seven pieces of candy because they are “too cute,” but I think…that’s just the way the tootsie rolls.
Thanks for your post Andrea. The “must have a costume” is a good requirement. Over the years, I have seen my fair share of people in “street clothes” who think they deserve candy because it’s Oct. 31. I say, if you’re too cool for the spirit of Halloween, you’re not getting my candy!