Halloween candy, parenting

Candy, candy candy!!!
What to do with it when Halloween night is over and the kids are waiting to become "goodie monsters".... Are you just imagining the whines, the sugar highs, the resulting lows??? Yow! Who said this holiday was fun!? 

But wait!! It certainly can be for you and your kids.
When Chad and Scott were very little, Dad and Mom (that's me) would take turns going house to house with the boys and staying home to pass out the candy. When the buzzer rang at 8PM we settled on the floor in the living room with all the loot. We told the boys that we would pay them for any candy they didn't want.
           Pennies when they were small, turning into nickels, then dimes, and finally quarters for handfuls of candy as they grew older. Does that sound weird?? Maybe so, but they only kept about half the treats. The rest went to organizations that took the candy for others who might need it. The money the boys received was divided in half....half in the bank, half to keep for a treat. Lots of underlying lessons being taught in a non-threatening manner; that's always the fun way to do it.
        For the following days: Rules for eating the goods!!  One  (either candy or chips) for lunch and one for dinner. That's it!! Don't back down if they try to break you down...if you hold your ground, next time will be easier.  You...that's you, not them...could decide to give them an extra treat if they have done something nice. But!!!
not if they ask and not as a bribe.  That's what makes the treat extra special!
       If you have questions or comments for us at any time as we're learning how to weave our way through blogging please send us a comment or an email.


Happy Halloween!
D and C

Halloween Tips

Hi Everyone!!

Welcome to our new blog: SassyKids at Childhood Myths!    I am Diane, mother of 2 adult sons, and a teacher forever! My older son Chad, also a teacher, will join in now and then with his viewpoint also. Our hope is that you will find an occasional tip or technique to help you make your parenting more joyful and fulfilling for both you and your children.

Week 1, Tip #1:      ...here goes:)

Enjoy Halloween with your kids!!!

From going to that pumpkin patch:

Pick a kid-friendly one that encourages kids to touch and sit on the pumpkins---they will remember  and want to go to the same place year after year. Starting family traditions with tons of interaction leads to great memories. As the kids grow older, what you do at that pumpkin patch may change to include cider and donuts, corn mazes, hay rides, and even haunted houses.

To carving that pumpkin:

Get messy!!! Kids love the chance to decide for themselves whether to help get the "guts" out of the pumpkins. One of my boys was always ready to dive in, and the other one dug with a big spoon...at least when they were still little!

Let them use the kid-friendly pumpkin carvers. They love them!! They can use markers first to draw whatever face they want...scary, funny, happy...their choice. If you need a choice make sure you grab your own pumpkin!! Please, please use this as fun time for your family!

And also the costumes:

Using stuff you have at home and repurposing to make a costume was always my plan...I don't sew(yuck), and I didn't want to spend $ on one time use costumes. But using jackets, scarves, capes, pajamas, etc.---that was great fun that the kids could help with. And then make-up was always the added key!!











Next week: tips on what to do with all that candy:)


Have fun,
D and C