Kids and Thankyou on Halloween

[disneymom3]

So, most of the year, my kids are pretty polite. They always say please and thank you to the cookie lady at Target. They are pretty good about it with mom and dad, etc. Just your basic nice kids. But last year, the two older ones did not say Thank you automatically at several houses on Halloween.

I know when I am giving out candy, I really like to hear thankyou so I am working on a system to encourage them to remember. On the Halloween candy rule thread someone mentioned having them go back to say thank you if they forget. That is an idea. I told my kids this year that if they remember on their own, there will be a reward. (I haven't figured out what this reward will be.)

So, any other ideas out there? In all the excitement of seeing what the next house has etc, how do you also keep the manners going?

 

[inaminute]

I reminded them right then and there. I do the same with my grandson. A quick "What do you say?" works every time.

 

[Mermaid02]

My son is very good at saying his "thank yous" he says it automatically.

 

[Alice's Mom]

My daughter is Princess Leia this year so I taught her to say "Thank you and may the force be with you" I know she'll remember since it goes with her costume!

I like to hear thank you too, but I know kids can get caught up in the moment, especially if there is a big crowd at the door, so I don't get too upset over it.

Your target has a cookie lady??

 

[EthansMom]

DH will be taking the kids, but I've already reminded him to have DS4 say "Thank You" at all stops. We'll also discuss it with DS again right before they go out.

If I was with DS and he forgot to say "Thank You" at one or two houses, I wouldn't be too upset, but I would probably remind him that he's supposed to say "Thank You" anytime someone gives him something and he should try harder next Halloween.

Likewise at Christmas, we have DS stop after opening each present from the Grandparents and say "Thank You" for each gift. My nephews just rip through their gifts and show no acknowledgement for them at all.

 

[skiwee1]

My DD will not say thank you at Halloween or if she does it will be so low you can't hear her. She freezes up when asked to talk to strangers. Even ones that give her candy! She looks like a deer in headlights when asked to say thank you. She doesn't even say trick or treat.

 

[mommaU4]

On the Halloween candy rule thread someone mentioned having them go back to say thank you if they forget. That is an idea. I told my kids this year that if they remember on their own, there will be a reward. (I haven't figured out what this reward will be.)

Hi there! I'm the one who said I'll send my kids back up there to say thank-you if they forget. I've just seen so many rude kids, and for some reason it's usually the older ones who should know better. They run up there pushing their way past the younger kids, practically demand the candy, and run off to the next house, no thank-you, no nothing.

I understand in the excitement of free candy manners will be forgotten by some kids, mine are no exception. Or if your child is very young, or very shy, that's also slightly different. Mine are not shy and they are not that young. They know to say thank-you because we practice it before hand in a fun way. And when they forget, notice I said when not if, we are usually standing right there to say "What did you forget?".

It's not a big deal. Saying thanks doesn't take away from their fun, and I don't beat them if they forget or anything. But I think since people went out of their way to spend money on the candy they deserve a thanks. Of course, I also make my kids write thank-you cards for b-day presents too. Just the way I was raised...

 

[Figment22]

I think my kids are pretty good about saying thank you at each house. What bothers me is when kids ring your doorbell and then just stand there at the door. Hey, you've got to say "Trick or Treat" to get the treat,no???

 

[disneymom3]

Hi there! I'm the one who said I'll send my kids back up there to say thank-you if they forget. I've just seen so many rude kids, and for some reason it's usually the older ones who should know better. They run up there pushing their way past the younger kids, practically demand the candy, and run off to the next house, no thank-you, no nothing.

I understand in the excitement of free candy manners will be forgotten by some kids, mine are no exception. Or if your child is very young, or very shy, that's also slightly different. Mine are not shy and they are not that young. They know to say thank-you because we practice it before hand in a fun way. And when they forget, notice I said when not if, we are usually standing right there to say "What did you forget?".

It's not a big deal. Saying thanks doesn't take away from their fun, and I don't beat them if they forget or anything. But I think since people went out of their way to spend money on the candy they deserve a thanks. Of course, I also make my kids write thank-you cards for b-day presents too. Just the way I was raised...

You don't think beating them is a good response then? Kidding

My boys are only 3 and 5 so not a big surprise if they forget and not the end of the world either. I am just looking for some fun ways to help them remember, because yes, I worry about my kids being those dreaded ones who shove their way through and run to the next stop without a word. Not gonna happen, but ya know......

Love the May the Force be with you line. I will have to see if I can come up with something to go with a skeleton and a batman.

 

[jekajekalynn]

My ds3 gets really quiet trick or treating , so I have to remind him to say thank you.

Here's one of my pet peeves.. Someone mentioned older kids being rude and pushing the little guys.

What is up with teens trick or treating????! lol

I'm not talking about 12 year olds and what not , I'm talking about kids in highschool trick or treating along with preschoolers! Maybe it's just my own peeve... lol

 

[Tigger&Belle]

What is up with teens trick or treating????! lol

I'm not talking about 12 year olds and what not , I'm talking about kids in highschool trick or treating along with preschoolers! Maybe it's just my own peeve... lol

I don't have any problem with teens trick or treating as long as they dress up.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Maybe a good punishment would be to eat the piece of candy that came from the house where they forgot to say thank you. Bet they'd catch on REAL fast.

 

[disneymom3]

Maybe a good punishment would be to eat the piece of candy that came from the house where they forgot to say thank you. Bet they'd catch on REAL fast.

Tigger&Belle--I could swear you are my long lost sister! First, the idea of the poll for giving away the good or not so good candy, now this! I wouldn't really do it, but it made my LOL!!


.....Still chuckling......

 

[marlasmom]

Oh don't send them back please. I get tired having to get up to open the door.

 

[mommaU4]

Oh don't send them back please. I get tired having to get up to open the door.

Alot of people must be because more and more I see houses where they have a bowl of candy just sitting out on a table with a note saying to take one.
I guess that solves the getting up, the saying trick-or-treat, and the saying thank-you right there!