How old is too old...

[PatsGirl]

to trick or treat? I stopped allowing my son to go out on Halloween when he entered middle school, I think the year he turned 11. Actually, it was the year he didn't want to make/buy a costume, just wanted to throw on a mask and terrorize the neighborhood kids I think He was and still is allowed to attend a Halloween party if he is invited.

Just took my DD8 to the neighbors home and noticed her 15 year old was not home -- asked her if he was still at FB practice. No, he and the rest of the boys in the neighborhood are out t or t. Told her to let them know I did not have candy for kids their age and they should be ashamed of themselves. IMHO I don't think they'll go to anyone's door.

Dont' get me wrong. These are not bad kids, they are really nice boys but what are their parents' thinking? Or is it me? I think we are just looking for trouble if we let teenagers run the streets on Halloween, not to mention that half the fun they want is probably scaring the little kids! Not that I mind a little scare but...

I'm leaving now to pick up DS15 from his FB game. Let's hope this doesn't turn into another debate this year, lol.

Brenda

 

[JennyMominRI]

to trick or treat? I stopped allowing my son to go out on Halloween when he entered middle school, I think the year he turned 11. Actually, it was the year he didn't want to make/buy a costume, just wanted to throw on a mask and terrorize the neighborhood kids I think He was and still is allowed to attend a Halloween party if he is invited.

Just took my DD8 to the neighbors home and noticed her 15 year old was not home -- asked her if he was still at FB practice. No, he and the rest of the boys in the neighborhood are out t or t. Told her to let them know I did not have candy for kids their age and they should be ashamed of themselves. IMHO I don't think they'll go to anyone's door.

Dont' get me wrong. These are not bad kids, they are really nice boys but what are their parents' thinking? Or is it me? I think we are just looking for trouble if we let teenagers run the streets on Halloween, not to mention that half the fun they want is probably scaring the little kids! Not that I mind a little scare but...

I'm leaving now to pick up DS15 from his FB game. Let's hope this doesn't turn into another debate this year, lol.

Brenda

My DD is 13 and knows this is her last year..I hesitated about even letting her ToT this year

 

[DVCLiz]

I think this is so silly. If kids 18 and under want to come to my house for a two hour period once a year and ask for candy, I'm going to give it to them. I don't make rules about who can and can't come to my house on Halloween, and I don't pass judgement on high school kids who still want the candy. It's just not a big deal to me. And I don't think it's anything their parents need to be ashamed of, either.

 

[Free4Life11]

My parents said 13 or 14, but I managed to extend it to 15 or 16 I think.

When I was a kid my friend and I made maps of our route! We covered so much ground...LOL! Got a buttload of candy too.

 

[cepmom]

I don't have a problem with teenagers trick or treating...as long as they actually make an effort to put on some sort of costume. I just had a group of teens come to my door ~ some had costumes, but quite a few didn't.

It's fun to trick or treat...why make them grow up that much faster?

 

[PatsGirl]

Well, it looks like I might have stopped him a little young but keep em coming, I'm really curious about this and want to be able to show him the results tonight when we get home from FB (that is of course, if nearly everyone sides with me ).

 

[JennyMominRI]

to trick or treat? I stopped allowing my son to go out on Halloween when he entered middle school, I think the year he turned 11. Actually, it was the year he didn't want to make/buy a costume, just wanted to throw on a mask and terrorize the neighborhood kids I think He was and still is allowed to attend a Halloween party if he is invited.


Brenda

actually looking at your profile, I wonder if a regional thing...i too lived in new England and when I was a kid in the 70's and 80's it seems like we all stopped at around age 13.. When I moved to California it seemed strange to me to see older kids trick or treating.
I was north of Boston for 4 years.. I lived in Peabody from 80-84

 

[DVCLiz]

My daughter, 11 and just started middle school this year, just left with her big sister, dressed in her Sleeping Beauty costume I bought her two weeks ago for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party. If I'd arbitrarily told her, "No more trick or treating after fifth grade" I wouldn't have been able to live with myself, and she would have been devastated. Why stop one of the few innocent childhood pleasures so soon??? I just don't get it.

 

[janette]

We get some older ones, usually later. My 11yo DD is going and my 14yo is handing our candy here with a friend (their idea). My 14yo DD is pretty tall and I told her it was just as well since she's probably taller than most of the adults at the houses

It's one of those things they'll give up on their own when they are ready.

 

[Karel]

My daughter, who turns 12 in two weeks, just left for her big 'first trick or treating night without adult following her'. Here, sixth grade is still elementary school.

My 13 and 14 yo are also out with friends in a mother approved costume.

As long as they make an effort to put a costume on , I wont deny them the opportunity to have fun with friends trick or treating. Everyone deserves a few years with out mom or dad trailing behind.

And no, I dont think scaring younger kids will be a part of it. It's sad that you think all teenagers will cause trouble. My kids know I expect them to behave.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think this is so silly. If kids 18 and under want to come to my house for a two hour period once a year and ask for candy, I'm going to give it to them. I don't make rules about who can and can't come to my house on Halloween, and I don't pass judgement on high school kids who still want the candy. It's just not a big deal to me. And I don't think it's anything their parents need to be ashamed of, either.

I agree with you. I don't even care if they dress up. As long as they are polite and they usually are.

 

[Donna]

I think this is so silly. If kids 18 and under want to come to my house for a two hour period once a year and ask for candy, I'm going to give it to them. I don't make rules about who can and can't come to my house on Halloween, and I don't pass judgement on high school kids who still want the candy. It's just not a big deal to me. And I don't think it's anything their parents need to be ashamed of, either.

I have to agree with you. Kids grow up too fast as it is, let them have their fun, as long as they're not hurting anybody or getting into trouble (vandalizing). I would never tell my son he's too old to go! It would break my heart if he DIDN'T want to go! We've had the older gang knocking and some weren't even dressed up that much, we just laughed, they laughed and they got their candy and walked away and YES...they DID say thank you!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I really don't care. I think I trick or treated junior year of high school.

 

[Blondy876]

We actually have an age cutoff that the city chooses. In my town it is under 18. In the town over it's 16 and in another nearby town it's 13. I have to agree that if the kids are polite that is all I really care about. Sure it would be nice if they put some effort into it but whatever. I had a kid here, he must have been 12 or 13 and he was dressed in jeans and a nice shirt and was very polite. He had a sticker on the middle of his shirt that he had written "cop guy" on What a costume.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

This comes up on these boards every year.
My 15 year old is out tonight. The neighbors expect to see him and he and two of his friends are walking around with a group of younger kids.

As far as I'm concerned, if you want to knock on my door tonight and say the words "Trick or Treat," I'll hand you a pack of M&M's. I don't care if you are 38 years old--- I have M&Ms that must be out of my house or before they go into my stomache!!!!

I've only had 3 groups so far tonight, the weather is pretty crappy. I don't think I've had anybody under the age of 10 yet.

 

[phorsenuf]

Oh for goodness sakes, why can't kids be kids and YES 15 is still a kid!

My 15 year old is out with his 13 year old brother and their friends. They are dressed up and having FUN!

What's the big deal......

 

[tar heel]

I expect the teens to show some effort in costume, but I'll give them candy regardless. Around here, most kids trick or treat through middle school and a few push it further. I've actually never heard of anyone who wasn't against trick or treating in general cutting it off as young as 11. That's before puberty for most boys!

 

[Pam]

I think this is so silly. If kids 18 and under want to come to my house for a two hour period once a year and ask for candy, I'm going to give it to them. I don't make rules about who can and can't come to my house on Halloween, and I don't pass judgement on high school kids who still want the candy. It's just not a big deal to me. And I don't think it's anything their parents need to be ashamed of, either.

God Bless ya! That's my thoughts as well.

My 17 yr. old son just left an hour ago to go to the town parade. He was one of the Blues Brothers and had about $50.00 in his costume (suit from Goodwill, etc.) He called me from his cell and said he was a finalist for best costume - he had the shades, hat, even had a briefcase cuffed to his hand.

He and his other friends decided at the last minute to skip trick-or-treating and were heading out to the Haunted House. When he does t-or-t, he usually gives the candy away to the little kids walking up and down the streets.

It's not always about the candy, folks. It's about being creative and making a costume and socializing with your friends and just having fun on a brisk autumn evening.

 

[bcvprincesses]

I don't care how old they are what bothers me is the ones that are smoking and come up to the door.

 

[PatsGirl]

Well, it looks like I'm in the minority here, almost alone but that's okay, it has to happen to all of us at some time.

Just one note though, I do not believe all teenagers will cause trouble... I just choose to not let my son be possibly pressured into something he simply cannot do if he is not out on the street tonight, and yes, my children are well aware of my expectations as well but that doesn't always stop them, and sometimes my err on the side of caution saves their butts (or so I like to think).

FWIW, my son and I just got home and he asked if he could stay up late tonight to watch a horror movie with the neighbor boy, so I guess he's not too upset. I know where he is and I know I'll rest better than if he were out with the other boys tricking