Anyone else dealing with this?

[Tikitoi]

I have a 9 year old who is afraid of Halloween, that she doesnt even want to go Trick or Treating. I really dont mind that she wont go TOT but the fact that she doesnt want to be bothered with going to stores now, UNTIL halloween is over is what is bothering me. I thought most kids were past this at this age. Scary movie commercials on TV, forget it. I have to change the channel. There was a time she did go TOT but it seems now that she got older maybe she realizes, "hey this stuff is pretty scary". And of course when I ask her about the Haunted Mansion at the World she is saying NO WAY, which I wont make her do it. But we did do it the last time she went and she didnt say nothing then. That is why I am thinking that she is thinking now that she is older, "hey this stuff is pretty scary". Any ideas?

 

[AKLRULZ]

Halloween has become Horrorween - when I was a kid in the late 70s it was all about goblins, ghosts and skeletons. Now it's about severed body parts, murder and Friday the 13th. It's no wonder she is afraid.

I guess all you can do is reassure her. I wish I had better advice.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I am scared of hieghts now when I was not before. Now being age 42.

Mikeeee

 

[disneydiva06]

My 6 year old DS is terrified of all things halloween. Poor kid doesn't even want to go to Wal Mart or Target anymore, for fear of going into the halloween section.

This all coming from a kid who hated the Haunted Mansion, but LOVED Dinosaur.

 

[Tikitoi]

Halloween has become Horrorween - when I was a kid in the late 70s it was all about goblins, ghosts and skeletons. Now it's about severed body parts, murder and Friday the 13th. It's no wonder she is afraid.

I guess all you can do is reassure her. I wish I had better advice.

You are absolutely right! Thank you for that!

 

[emily1982]

I used to be really frightened when i was around young, but as i grew older and saw the more fun side i was okay. Halloween isn't as big over here, particualry trick/treating as people are aware of how it can scare the older folks in the community and i dont even answer the door.
If you'd like her to join in, how about inviting her to have a couple of friends over and have a small celebration, you could choose a more friendly theme and have games etc or a dvd night.

 

[Tikitoi]

I am scared of hieghts now when I was not before. Now being age 42.

Mikeeee

Yep, sounds just like her, too! I will probably just end up letting her have her own little party on her terms. Thanks.

 

[luvflorida]

I don't blame her for being scared. There is a lot of scary stuff out there! I like the cute side of Halloween, (the little kids in costumes, friendly jack-o-lanterns, candy corn, roasting pumpkin seeds, sweet little plush pumpkins and black kitties, and It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown), not the scary side, i.e., bloodied masks, dismembered limbs, scary soundtracks, and haunted houses.

My youngest is 16 and she isn't fond of the scary, gross aspect of Halloween either. She hates seeing anyone in a mask and she'll avoid the Halloween section of stores, also. And forget the haunted houses and hayrides!

I've always been terrified of the haunted hayrides, (the ones that are geared toward older kids and adults and have real people in gorey costumes), because my imagination gets the best of me. I have this one thought that keeps me from going in haunted houses or on hayrides. What would prevent someone from donning a costume and hiding somewhere and going after someone with a real weapon. Probably never happen, but the thought is enough to keep me away. It can all just be a little too real.

Sorry, I realize I'm not really giving you any constructive advice! Just wanted you to know that I understand your daughter's fear!

 

[Tikitoi]

Sorry, I realize I'm not really giving you any constructive advice! Just wanted you to know that I understand your daughter's fear! [/QUOTE]
That's OK, its just good to know that it's really just not her. Because I feel weird sometimes, explaining this to other parents who have children that are her age and they dont feel the way she does. So, Thank You.

 

[Hillbeans]

I'm glad i'm not the only one who goes through this. For some reason, my son DOES NOT like to dress up in any kind of costume, and will only pacify me by wearing a non-costume costume - like a football jersey - which he wants to wear again this year.

He also doesn't want to go into the halloween store because of the scary masks and monsters.

He's 5 though, and loved the Trick-or-Treating part of Halloween last year, but he does not like seeing anyone in a mask or anyone making scary ghost noises. I'm hoping I can convince him to wear a costume this year, but it'll have to be one without any kind of hat or mask.

It's kind of disappointing for someone like me who loves Halloween, but oh well - what can you do.

 

[disykat]

I have always disliked Halloween. I remember dreading it even as a young child. By 3rd grade, I was done with it. Our school had a costume parade and I remember refusing to participate. I used to get sick on Halloween. Even though I've done Halloween at work and with my kids, I would prefer not to go in stores at this time of year because of all the decorations. For me, it's not really fear, it's more of about being uncomfortable.

When you dislike something other people enjoy, you feel like an outcast. As an adult, it's easier for me to focus on the parts of Halloween I do enjoy. I don't take it personally anymore or feel weird because I don't like it - but as a kid it was tough. I like pumpkins, so I cook pumpkin stuff, carve pumpkins, etc. I hate dressing in costumes, but now I can enjoy little children being excited about their costumes and keep my opinions to myself about everyone else and let them enjoy something they obviously enjoy.

I don't like the colors orange and black, I don't like spiders or bats, I could do without the scary/creepy/gory stuff, I don't like to dress in costume, I just don't like it. Having to pretend you are enjoying something you can't stand, or face constant questions about why you don't like it, gets really old.

I'd give her a pass on Halloween. If it's supposed to be fun, why force it on someone who doesn't like it? I wouldn't try to overanalyse it, just chock it up to something she doesn't enjoy and let it go.

I admit, I wouldn't even have clicked on this thread if it said Halloween in the title. I'm already amazed at how many Halloween threads there are and it's over a month away!