Question about Trick or Treating

[NMAmy]

I had two older teenagers come trick or treating last year and they just made my night. It was a boy and a girl about 17 or so and they were dressed as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. It was obvious that they'd spent a lot of time on their costumes and they looked fabulous!

I don't see any harm in it at all--kids grow up so quickly, let them enjoy themselves. DD is 15 and isn't going trick or treating this year because she's grounded--but she did ask if she could go. And I'd have let her if she hadn't been grounded.

 

[golfgal]

I will give anyone that shows up in a costume candy. I don't care how old they are. Trick or Treating is FUN. I was kind of bummed when my kids were old enough to go out without me! Who cares how old they are as long as they are behaving. Now if you show up at my house and you are over 21, you might get a beer instead of candy .

 

[mom2boys]

As long as they are behaving don't let it get your shorts in a bunch.

 

[C.Ann]

I never had a problem with that until last year - when one of them asked me if I had any cigarettes.. Ummmmm...if you're old enough to be smoking, then you're waaaaaaaaaaaaay too old to be trick or treating!!

 

[iwantahemi]

We had a few college age ladies come trick or treating at our house last year. Myself and my then 18 mth old answered the door and conversated with them about how cute my DD was. The wife then came to the door proceeded to give them some candy and shut the door in their face. She later told me they were dressed in playboy bunny outfits. I never even noticed the whole time we were standing there.

 

[EthansMom]

We had a few groups of teenagers come TandT last year, mostly without costumes. I really have nothing agains the kids that are older and in costumes, that say "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You". The kids that don't wear costumes are a bit annoying, but I can handle it. However, last year, one of the groups that went through toilet-papered the neighborhood, egged several mailboxes and broke a few of the neighbors mailboxes and street lights (ones at the end of long driveways).

This year, I have made up treat bags: more candy/treats for the younger kids and less candy/treats for the older kids. The treat bags are even opaque, so no one knows what is in them until they open the bags!

Regarding young children going Trick or Treating: My 19 month old daughter will be going out with DH and DS4. She LOVES candy! (Yes, I'm a terrible parent.) I'm sure DD will have a blast dressing up as Minnie Mouse and riding the wagon around the neighborhood with her big brother. After the kids get home, we'll let DD have a couple of small candies to eat before bed (DS will have more to eat). Both kids will brush their teeth as usual before bed.

Yes, DD will likely get some candy that she won't be able to eat and that she will have to trade with DS or that DH or I will eat. But I don't consider that to be any different than the trading I used to have to do with my brother because he was allergic to chocolate.

Now, I wouldn't give candy to an infant -- no teeth and can't walk = no candy. But, my DD can walk and has 12 teeth and she would throw a (very loud) fit if DS got candy and she didn't.

Happy Halloween!