Dd asked her age while trick or treating last night

[JustCallMeMommy]

I read a Facebook post this weekend that changed my opinion about teens ToTing. I have always said that if the teen is dressed in full costume, I'm all for it, but in the back of my mind, I kind of raised my eyebrows a bit. This person - around my age - said that when she was told she was now too old at 13, she went to a friend's party instead. A party with alcohol and make out games. Given that choice, I'm happy my DD still wants to ToT.

I really do like to see teens still being KIDS. My DD and her friend (13 and 12) went trick or treating this year, and I saw many kids her age or older. There was only one group that was strange - a group of kids that looked to be 18-20 with a toddler. When they first approached, I thought they were all just taking the kid around. I even took her hand to help her up the stairs because none of her party was walking her up (by then DD and her friend were handing out candy - they were sitting at the top of the stairs looking as creepy as they could). After I helped her up then back down, THEN they all came up for candy, too.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I think people who judge teens for trick-or-treating must lead sad little lives. They really need to lighten up!!

AMEN!!!!! I could care less what age comes to my door. Anyone and everyone is welcome. Costume or not. I can't even imagine putting a kid on the spot and quiz them about their age. There are definitely tall children that aren't teens for heaven sake. To be turned away for age is ludicrous. Teens could be doing a lot worse than having fun. Get a grip. Adulthood comes too soon.

 

[PrncessA]

My son (who is 10) said that a kid in his class said they were too old for Halloween. My son's response (while wearing his Batman costume) was "I'll never be to old for Halloween! I'm still going to trick-or-treat when I'm 47!" I guess his threshold for old is 47!

I don't care how old you are, if you are polite and festive you should be allowed to trick or treat!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I've always thought that once you hit 14, you should quit trick or treating but I let my kids decide on their own when to stop. I would hand out candy to anyone even the older teen and I sure wouldn't ask anyone their age.

This year I didn't have any older teens - just younger kids. I was thinking it was because it was Saturday and folks were going to malls, doing trunk or treat or having their own party.

 

[TAX GUY]

Here's what I did with the older kids that came....


When they said "trick or treat" and said "trick"..... every single one of them then did a "trick". Some were a simple twirl, another was a "ta da" type pose and others something else. Either way they would have gotten some candy from us but to see them participate with my foolishness without hesitation? Here, take a few.

 

[disneypofq05]

Growing up, I lived in a college town. We always had college students trick or treating. Older kids don't phase me in the least.

I am so glad you posted this. One of my favorite memories of college was going trick-or-treating. I was 20 years old the last time I went trick-or-treating. We would always put a lot of effort into our costumes and the local people were always so happy to see us. Some people even gave us more candy! We truly appreciated the candy we got and loved meeting new people. I still keep in contact with some of the people I met while trick-or-treating. It makes me sad to read some of the comments about a 16 and 18 year old who are having fun trick-or-treating.

I live in a college town and have many rentals in my neighborhood. We get college kids coming to our house and they are always dressed in costume and so polite. It never even crossed my mind to ask someone their age or to even think about how someone shouldn't be trick-or-treating because of their age.

 

[tzolkin]

I find it odd that many seem focused on the idea of an 18 year old being an "adult/man". I think if we were talking about anything else (getting married, having a baby, etc.) everyone would be referring to him as a "kid". My DD is a HS Senior, but she is only 16. I really don't notice any developmental differences between the 16, 17, or 18 year old seniors. It's not like once they turn 18 they magically transform into an adult and can no longer participate in the same activities as their peers.

I also don't see where it's "not normal" (that post seemed to imply something disturbing or perverse) about teenagers trick-or-treating. Maybe it's not common in your area/neighborhood, but it's certainly not outside the range of "normal" teenage behaviors. We had over 250 trick-or-treaters and plenty of them were teens. (Maybe a third?) Every one of them was polite, in costume, and enjoying their evening with friends or younger siblings.

 

[5kidsmommy]

All five of my kids went trick or treating this year. They went with a big group of kids from the neighborhood. The youngest was my youngest son who is 13 but he's autistic, not that it makes a difference. I know my teens weren't the only ones out as I handed out candy to lots of teens. It's a super fun night in my town. People really get into it and no one luckily cares how old kids are when they are out trick or treating. My oldest son is in college and just happened to be home due to a funeral. It was really nice to have him home and nice that he could have one last night of fun with his siblings and friends. Kids grow up way too fast and it's nice for them to hold on to a little bit of childhood, even if it's just for one night.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I never thought older teens trick or treating was a big deal either, until I moved into our current neighborhood. We live in a neighborhood of 600 houses with lots of kids. In addition to that, many kids who don't live in the neighborhood come here to trick or treat because it is considered a nice, safe neighborhood. Trick or Treating is nonstop from 6 pm until 9 pm, and quite a few teens are still out until 11 pm or even midnight, ringing doorbells as late as 11. I can tell you, as a mom of 2 little girls, I don't like people ringing my doorbell at 11 pm for candy. Granted, that is more an issue of behavior than of age, but still, the 12 and unders are not the ones who are out past 10 on their own.

There have been years when we could hear parades of teens going down the street yelling and screaming after 11. That is not so bad on a Saturday night like this year (and it was especially nice this year since it started raining at around 10:30 and everyone went home), but it is a bit annoying on week nights when everyone in my family has to get up early the next morning.

Also, we spend about $75 each year on candy for Halloween night, and each year, we run out. That is A LOT of candy. After you have seen your 150th trick or treating teen and thought of the kind of money you have spent so they can have candy, they don't seem as cute as they used to.

I love Halloween and this year we gave out candy to every person who arrived on our doorstep regardless of age (until we completely ran out), but I can see how some people think it is odd for teens to trick or treat. I think teens really use it as an excuse (at least in our neighborhood), to socialize and "party" in the street (which I also don't mind within reasonable hours. It is an awesome night, and in our neighborhood, it is one big party).

My neighbor is a high school football player who took his little sister trick or treating around the neighborhood. Now that was pretty cool.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I find it odd that many seem focused on the idea of an 18 year old being an "adult/man". I think if we were talking about anything else (getting married, having a baby, etc.) everyone would be referring to him as a "kid". My DD is a HS Senior, but she is only 16. I really don't notice any developmental differences between the 16, 17, or 18 year old seniors. It's not like once they turn 18 they magically transform into an adult and can no longer participate in the same activities as their peers.

I also don't see where it's "not normal" (that post seemed to imply something disturbing or perverse) about teenagers trick-or-treating. Maybe it's not common in your area/neighborhood, but it's certainly not outside the range of "normal" teenage behaviors. We had over 250 trick-or-treaters and plenty of them were teens. (Maybe a third?) Every one of them was polite, in costume, and enjoying their evening with friends or younger siblings.

To the bolded, give me a break. You are reading way too much into it.

 

[Planogirl]

In theory, if people can celebrate Halloween however they wish then that would include those who hand out candy. Ugh, I'm still glad that we go out.

 

[bdcp]

We didn't let our boys TOT after 7th grade, so age 13 and they were hardly upset by it. Most of the teens who are out TOT don't exactly put a lot of effort into it. DH handed out candy this year and he just rolled his eyes at the 14+ yr olds who could barely be bothered to wear any part of a costume. We have about 50 kids every year so that's not the issue to give candy to the older kids. Wearing a mask and regular clothes is not a costume lol. After age 13, our boys stayed home and handed out candy. The pp who said they were happier with their child going TOT than a party with alcohol, my question is, why is a 13 yr old going to a party where they don't know the parents or what is going on? Being afraid to ask someone how old they are, when it's obvious they are too old to be out TOT is um interesting. What is wrong with asking? My feeling is, my house and I don't have to answer the door if I don't want to nor do I owe anyone any candy.

I love how some defend 18 yr olds TOT, yet in other posts, you get the "they're old enough to go to war, they should be able to drink" so, which is it?

 

[Skywalker]

I think its a bit ridiculous for an 18 year old to go trick or treating, I really do. An 18-year-old taking out his siblings for Halloween is kind of sweet, but an 18-year-old taking around his 16-year-old girlfriend is a different thing lol.

I am also not a big fan of the "think of the worse things they could be doing" mentality. We all have "worse" things we could be doing at any given time, but that is hardly a justification for anything. I am sorry but it is one night, a night that children traditionally get candy, it is not going to change who they are. If they were into doing "worse things" they have been and will be doing those things anyway. People act as if being too old to trick or treat is going to change the trajectory of these teens lives, make them sexually active and launch them into a life of debauchery lol.

That said, I wouldn't deny them candy. But when the people who are taller than me, with stubble on their face and cigarettes hanging out of their mouths start trick or treating, that is when I start to call it a night.

 

[luvsJack]

All 18 year olds you know walk around with a cigarette hanging out of their mouth?

Some 18 year olds are still in high school, many are actually. They hang out with 16-17 year olds. Why is it such a big deal if they want to trick or treat?

What would you prefer they be doing?

 

[Pookles]

We (my sibs and I) bring our kids to our parents neighborhood where we still know most of the neighbors. Halloween is fun for all. My dad gave out beer and Bratwurst pops to the adults. Another neighbor has cocoa and schnapps if you like. Half the houses will ask mom and dad if they want candy, and most insist if you are in costume. My sibs and I always dress up, as do most neighbors. If teens come around with barely a costume on, we always give them candy, and then we give them crap for not putting in much effort.

I guess I just don't understand caring about this so much that you will begrudge someone a mini Snickers. And besides, it's TRICK or treat. Do you really want to chance not passing out candy to the 5 teen age boys that just showed up?

 

[arminnie]

I will be 70 next Halloween. I think I'll get a kick *** costume and go trick or treating.