While there are many treats that come with Halloween, here are a few tricks to get you through the season with your baby or young child.
1. Go Basic with the Costume
Choose costumes made out of clothing they would typically wear. A jacket with ears on the hood, can turn into a bear costume with a little imagination. Avoid costumes with too many pieces, you’re going to spend the entire time trying to convince your little one to keep it all on if you do.
2. Save the Memory with a Portrait
Have the perfect costume? Be sure to save the memory with a portrait. Trimmer Photography will be at Om Baby’s Halloween Party on October 31st from 3:30-5:30pm snapping photos of all the adorable little witches and pumpkins. Be sure to stop by to get your Halloween keepsake that you’ll love for years to come.
3. Trick or Treating Alternatives
Traditional Trick or Treating may not be appropriate for babies and tots, so here are some ideas of alternatives that you might consider: Trick or treat for charity ( you may want to let your neighbors know in advance that you’ll be collecting donations), visit an assisted living facility to brighten their day with your baby in costume, visit your local harvest festival in costume for some seasonal fun, surprise the grandparents with a costumed visit, hang out at home and pass out candy to the trick or treaters (but beware of kids with scary costumes) or Om Baby’s Halloween Party is geared specifically for the littlest ghosts and goblins and is a good time for all.
4. Provide an Emotional Safety Net
For the youngest trick or treaters, it may be difficult to separate fantasy from reality. Around the age of 3, they may begin to understand pretend play. So before Halloween night, let your child try out their costume by wearing it. Rehearse saying “trick or treat” if you plan to take them out. Reinforce that everyone else is also pretending just as they are. Discuss reality vs fantasy. Be sure to allow them to express their fears and concerns and provide reassurance. Stifling their anxiety by telling them not to be afraid will invalidate their concerns and fears. Be sure to let them know that you care by listening and reassuring them that as the parent, it’s your job to protect them. If the child is upset by the idea of wearing a costume, then don’t do it. All children develop at different paces and it’s important to respect where your child is in this moment. If they want to give it a try, be sure to go trick or treating early before their older peers in scary costumes venture out.
5. Avoid Halloween Stores With Your Young Child
Beware that stopping at your local Halloween shop to pick out the cutest costume is like going to a haunted house with your toddler. Closing their eyes while they pass the gorey decorations may not be enough. Skip it and shop at Good Will, Salvation Army or Community Aid. They have lots of 2nd hand costumes & decorations at reasonable prices, without the fear factor.
6. Curb the Candy
Be sure to give your little ones a healthy meal before you head out the door. Not only will it keep them from getting cranky, but it will keep them from begging for candy, at least out of legitimate hunger. Feeling festive, try some healthy Halloween snacks such as banana ghosts or tangerine pumpkins. Not sure what I’m referring to, Pinterest has your answer.
After the night is through, you might be amazed at how much candy your child has accumulated from such a short time trick-or-treating. Be sure to do your safety check of all the candy, and miraculously a few might go missing (especially that whole chocolate candy bar your neighbor packed into your child’s bag). Other options to pare down the treats without adding pounds for you, might be to visit one of the many Halloween candy buy back programs. Boscov’s does a candy exchange program or check with your local dentist to see if they participate in the Halloween Candy BuyBack or ship it to Operation Gratitude which includes Halloween Candy in care packages for the military.
Most important of all, enjoy the season and enjoy watching your little one experience the fun of the holiday. Let us know if you have any tips that we’ve left out on Om Baby Center's website.
