Many years ago it was more of a treat to have junk on Halloween because it was not common for kids to have sooo much junk on a regular basis. Today however is a different story. I am writing this on my laptop as I sit on a field where kids football games surround me. I see kids drinking on processed, sugar filled juices while a tote full of Oreos awaits them upon completion. Sports teams and coaches are supposed to promote health, strength and be great examples of human anatomy. Kids have ample amounts of candy daily from their homes to schools and all the way around to churches. So how is Halloween their day for a treat? Oh maybe the life-long sugar binge that is being developed with the help of parents wouldn't be complete without it's own special day to gather by the ton. So what is a parent to do on such a day that is not interested in participating in the normal festivities(for whatever reasons), while not seeming like the Halloween Grinch to the child?
Well I can think of 3 things:1.Some churches have come up with great alternatives that they have put in the place. However you may have to volunteer with foods/snacks if you want healthy alternatives to junk. 2.You can host a party in your home that consists of healthy foods/snacks like bananas on a stick that they can dip in peanut butter with an orange food coloring and games like bobbing for apples. 3.If you do plan on letting your child do activities that include junk you can let them pick 7 pieces out if they are 7 years old for example and discard the rest. Soooooo parents....what do you think? What do you do and why? Am I on point or over exaggerating? Would you be upset knowing that a parent through the candy away that you spent your hard earned money on? Do you want to do away with Halloween?
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I would not be offended at all if a parent chose to throw away the Halloween treats I bought to pass out. With that being said, I do allow Ashley to participate in Halloween more for the fun of dressing up and having fun than for the candy. A great alternative to keeping the candy they collect is to sell it to a local dentist. Several dentists in the area have this program and it's fantastic! I agree with letting them pick out some of their favorites and either selling the rest back to the dentist or throwing the rest out. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are not over exaggerating on this one. Don't throw your candy out though. You can take it to one of the many dentists in the area that are "buying back" the candy. Most of them are then mailing it to our troops in Iran and Iraq. My children were happy to find other things in their bags this year - they loved the little play dough and games they received. They really don't like that many types of candy anyway. I usually take the candy they don't like to work (for the adults not the students) because I don't want it around the house.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of having a halloween party at your house. That way you can still dress up and celebrate without all of the junk.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas and alternatives. Gonna use those for next year. I try and give away my son's candy to the late trick or treaters. It got rid of most of it!!
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