swamp
Community Leader
Don't be a fool. Call me!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,326
|
Post by swamp on Oct 9, 2012 11:34:26 GMT -5
A spin off from another thread on EE.
Do you take your kids trick or treating? Do you think it's dangerous? If you don't take them, what do you do instead?
I take mine.
We go in the neighborhood where my friend grew up, they give away bags of chips, full size candy bars, juice bags, and cans of soda.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: May 2, 2024 4:00:15 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2012 11:36:11 GMT -5
yes I think it is dangerous, but I like to live on the edge so I take my kids trick or treating.
|
|
NomoreDramaQ1015
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
Posts: 47,255
|
Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Oct 9, 2012 11:36:53 GMT -5
Yes we take her and no I don't think it is dangerous. Since she is only two DH and I plan on eating most of the candy. ;D
We stick to our neighborhood right now. Then we're going to take her down to DH's parents and hit up some of his relatives.
As she gets older we'll branch out and take her further.
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,409
|
Post by thyme4change on Oct 9, 2012 11:37:26 GMT -5
We trick or treat in our neighborhood. We know a lot of neighbors. It is a giant party. People pour out into the street, we usually sit with the closest neighbors while the other parent walks with the kids, or our kids go out with another family. It is awesome fun. I guess I live in a "better" neighborhood.
|
|
❤ mollymouser ❤
Senior Associate
Sarcasm is my Superpower
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 16:09:58 GMT -5
Posts: 12,857
Today's Mood: Gen X ... so I'm sarcastic and annoyed
Location: Central California
Favorite Drink: Diet Mountain Dew
|
Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Oct 9, 2012 11:40:44 GMT -5
I think that trick or treating could be reasonably classed as "potentially" dangerous, depending on a myriad of factors: crime rate in one's community, where one chooses to take their children door-to-door, the age of one's children, the amount of parental supervision during the trick or treating process, as well as the candy-sorting process, etc. Our local news ran a story a few days ago about the number of children struck by cars last Halloween (which, in all fairness, was a risk I hadn't particularly thought about until the news story.)
As for very small children, I always wonder if it's hard to explain to them the general safety rule of "don't take candy from strangers" while dressing them up and taking them door-to-door to .... "take candy from strangers."
And as for churches and similar groups who organize "trunk of treats" (where children go from car to car in a designated parking lot, taking candy from strangers who keep it in the trunk of their car) ... all that does, really, is eliminate the need to walk around the block and get some exercise while begging for free sugar.
But, hey, if you've got a safe neighborhood, you're going to supervise your children, and you're find with loading them up with candy, etc. from people you don't know very well ... have fun! ;D
|
|
happyhoix
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Oct 7, 2011 7:22:42 GMT -5
Posts: 20,896
|
Post by happyhoix on Oct 9, 2012 11:40:48 GMT -5
I saw a study a few years back that examined all the stories of kids getting razors in their carmal apples and popcorn balls, and they found no actual cases of this type of thing happening, only urban myths.
I didn't let DS have anything that wasn't pre-packaged, however, unless someone I knew well made it, but I don't think people are trying to kill off kids through Halloween treats.
I was always more worried about DS getting hit by a car in the dark. I always went with him and we always stopped by nine, when most of the rest of the trick or treaters went home. We live in a rural area so we have a lot of trick or trunk events in church parking lots just for this reason.
|
|
swamp
Community Leader
Don't be a fool. Call me!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,326
|
Post by swamp on Oct 9, 2012 11:44:10 GMT -5
We have a problem with Trick or Treating with DS. He wants to go in everyone's house and look around.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: May 2, 2024 4:00:15 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2012 11:49:08 GMT -5
As for very small children, I always wonder if it's hard to explain to them the general safety rule of "don't take candy from strangers" while dressing them up and taking them door-to-door to .... "take candy from strangers." Never too early to start teaching that every rule has an exception! ;D This is what we used to do before my parents moved to FL. All of their kids would bring the grandkids over for dinner and TOT in our old neighborhood. It was fun catching up with my childhood friends' parents. Now we TOT in our neighborhood, but DD's "not BF's" parents invited us to TOT with them in their neighborhood (they live in the most expensive neighborhood in WNY). I can only imagine what kind of booty they are going to end up with....
|
|
❤ mollymouser ❤
Senior Associate
Sarcasm is my Superpower
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 16:09:58 GMT -5
Posts: 12,857
Today's Mood: Gen X ... so I'm sarcastic and annoyed
Location: Central California
Favorite Drink: Diet Mountain Dew
|
Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Oct 9, 2012 11:52:06 GMT -5
We have a problem with Trick or Treating with DS. He wants to go in everyone's house and look around. Dress him in costume and take him to some Open Houses
|
|
Phoenix84
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 17, 2011 21:42:35 GMT -5
Posts: 10,056
|
Post by Phoenix84 on Oct 9, 2012 11:55:44 GMT -5
I don't have kids, but I think like most things, it's not dangerous if you're smart about it.
|
|
Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626
|
Post by Wisconsin Beth on Oct 9, 2012 12:04:00 GMT -5
I don't see the point in taking the little ones ToTing, so we didn't. We'd take them to the grandparents houses. Now that they're 3 and 4.5, we got real costumes for them this year and the current plan is that we'll take them ToTing at my sister's. They do the night time ToTing and it's a close neighborhood. I don't feel safe letting them go to very many houses in our neighborhood. And most of the people don't do Halloween. So the kids will help us hand out candy at home and do the "real" one at my sister's. Plus, my sister's kids will enjoy taking them around their neighborhood. They're 12, 14 and 16. ;D
|
|
alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
Posts: 8,118
|
Post by alabamagal on Oct 9, 2012 12:13:57 GMT -5
I never worried about the tainted candy or child molesters out on Halloween. But I took my kids out until they were 10 or 11, mainly because our streets have limited street lights and no sidewalks. I always fear people getting hit by cars (even adults out walking for exercise at night).
The last year I took my kids out, they were maybe 10, 9 and 7, I asked them if they knew how to get back to our house, and one of them had no clue (although he is directionally challengerd!)
|
|
raeoflyte
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 15:43:53 GMT -5
Posts: 14,738
|
Post by raeoflyte on Oct 9, 2012 12:18:22 GMT -5
This is the first year we're doing real trick or treating with ds. In past years we go to my grandparents assisted living, and take him room to room. The assisted living provides the candy, so there isn't stress around that part either--unless they're also trying to off the old people too.
This year we're going with friends in their neighborhood, and will hit up family as well.
|
|
giramomma
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 11:25:27 GMT -5
Posts: 21,329
|
Post by giramomma on Oct 9, 2012 12:23:38 GMT -5
We take the kids out.
I went once as a kid, before I was school aged. My parents thought it was too dangerous. When I was older, I got a couple of bucks or a cassette instead.
DH and I have a giggle every time we go to a parade. Our kids run into the street to take candy from strangers or pick up candy from the street and then proceed to eat it. We enjoy being inconsistent with our parenting sometimes.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: May 2, 2024 4:00:15 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2012 12:26:43 GMT -5
I always took the kids. They age out at about 10+ or so anyway. I probably would let my kids trick or treat to about age 12. So, if they were going with friends around the neighborhood i might let them or maybe not because they might be more inclined to mischief.
|
|
jeffreymo
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 21, 2011 12:32:17 GMT -5
Posts: 968
|
Post by jeffreymo on Oct 9, 2012 12:40:52 GMT -5
I don't think it's dangerous. We take our son to our immediate neighbors, and then to my SIL where he hits their neighborhood with his cousins. We always have one of us walking with him.
|
|
swasat
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 13, 2011 9:34:28 GMT -5
Posts: 3,735
|
Post by swasat on Oct 9, 2012 12:44:33 GMT -5
We take the kids ToT. Since the DS turned 3. DD joined too once she turned 3. But then I live in a well off neighborhood that has TONS of children.
The kids always love it and I love dressing them up.
IMHO, there are too many other dangers in the world to worry about ToT. If the kids are accompanied by parents and the neighborhood is relatively safe, I don't see any issue with the ToT.
|
|
bean29
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 22:26:57 GMT -5
Posts: 9,934
|
Post by bean29 on Oct 9, 2012 13:24:58 GMT -5
When my kids were small, I took them to the Milwaukee County Zoo. The kids wear costumes, they have a costume parade and give out prizes. I think the top prize was a bike.
The Zoological society gave out treats in every building and the kids made a surprisingly good haul.
As they got older we let them go ToT in the neighborhood. The kids do really well in my neighborhood. Last year it rained. Any kids that actually came to the door did very well b/c hardly anyone was out.
|
|
Phoenix84
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 17, 2011 21:42:35 GMT -5
Posts: 10,056
|
Post by Phoenix84 on Oct 9, 2012 14:42:38 GMT -5
I never trick or treated past age 12. I don't understand why teenagers do it. After age 12 I would rather stay up late and watch a Friday the 13th marathon and eat all my sister's candy.
|
|
Angel!
Senior Associate
Politics Admin
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:44:08 GMT -5
Posts: 10,722
|
Post by Angel! on Oct 9, 2012 15:32:03 GMT -5
I don't think trick or treating is really dangerous. My neighborhood kind of sucks because it is a fairly low income area. On average it seems only every 3rd or 4th house even has their lights on & there aren't many ToTers.
Last year we went to a neighborhood near downtown that I heard about that apparently half the city goes to. It was absolutely packed & hard to navigate because there were so many people. It was really fun though because they go all out with massive decorations & costumes at each house & you don't even have to ring doorbells because there are so many ToTers that the homeowners just sit outside. Talking to some of the people that live there, each house gives out several hundred dollars worth of candy.
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,409
|
Post by thyme4change on Oct 9, 2012 15:34:48 GMT -5
ummm - free candy?!
|
|
zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,866
|
Post by zibazinski on Oct 9, 2012 18:22:48 GMT -5
Yes, I eat too many snickers!
|
|
Peace Of Mind
Senior Associate
[font color="#8f2520"]~ Drinks Well With Others ~[/font]
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:53:02 GMT -5
Posts: 15,554
Location: Paradise
|
Post by Peace Of Mind on Oct 9, 2012 18:44:43 GMT -5
It must be in some areas because we get people from other neighborhoods all the time. They even admit it! We must give better candy and their neighborhoods are fine. ;D
|
|
Colleenz
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 8:56:39 GMT -5
Posts: 3,983
|
Post by Colleenz on Oct 9, 2012 19:05:09 GMT -5
It might be dangerous, or it might build up the constitution. I make sure DS eats he razor blades. I don't want him to suffer from anemia. Seriously WTF need to search for the other thread. Has it really come to kiddos should not trick or treat The biggest danger here is the 25 pounds of candy fat we carry...
|
|
Malarky
Junior Associate
Truth and snark are equal opportunity here.
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 21:00:51 GMT -5
Posts: 5,313
|
Post by Malarky on Oct 9, 2012 19:16:17 GMT -5
Last year we went to a neighborhood near downtown that I heard about that apparently half the city goes to. It was absolutely packed & hard to navigate because there were so many people. It was really fun though because they go all out with massive decorations & costumes at each house & you don't even have to ring doorbells because there are so many ToTers that the homeowners just sit outside. Talking to some of the people that live there, each house gives out several hundred dollars worth of candy. That would be like my neighborhood. We really get into it. Maybe not several hundred dollars worth of candy, but usually a couple of hundred kids. ;D
|
|
spartan7886
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 7, 2011 14:04:22 GMT -5
Posts: 788
|
Post by spartan7886 on Oct 9, 2012 19:27:10 GMT -5
I never trick or treated past age 12. I don't understand why teenagers do it. After age 12 I would rather stay up late and watch a Friday the 13th marathon and eat all my sister's candy. I did Trick or Treat for UNICEF in high school. Mainly I just liked to dress up. You ask for the change and you get candy too, which you just have to make sure your candy bag is hidden so they don't think you're being greedy. Then again, I've always gotten a lot of pleasure out of the simple things. I got to be a kid again for a couple hours.
|
|
swamp
Community Leader
Don't be a fool. Call me!
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 16:03:22 GMT -5
Posts: 45,326
|
Post by swamp on Oct 9, 2012 19:42:02 GMT -5
The rule at our house is mom gets the Reese's peanut butter cups.
|
|
lynnerself
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 3, 2011 11:42:29 GMT -5
Posts: 4,166
|
Post by lynnerself on Oct 9, 2012 20:07:39 GMT -5
The rule at our house is mom gets the Reese's peanut butter cups. We buy several bags of candy even though we average about 10-12 kids a year. (Don't want to run out you know). Some how the Almond Joys never make it to Halloween.
|
|
kgb18
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 8:15:23 GMT -5
Posts: 4,904
|
Post by kgb18 on Oct 10, 2012 9:58:34 GMT -5
I think the most dangerous part of ToT in our neighborhood are the jackasses who insist on speeding through the neighborhood even though there are all kinds of people on the street. I'm amazed we haven't had a tragedy yet. Usually the neighbors shout at the speeders.
DD is still very small so we just take her to a few houses on our street. Last year was the first year she went. It was a cold, rainy night and she had enough after about 7 houses, which was fine with me.
We get a ton of kids at our house. Last year, I think because of the weather, we probably only had about 60 kids. Years past when the weather was nice we got upwards of 100.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Oct 10, 2012 11:06:52 GMT -5
When DS was over 2 he did his first TOT in my parents neighborhood (where I grew up) we obviously went with him. After that we did the mall for a few years (nice and indoors) the stores all had an employee in the doorway handing out candy. In CA it was nice because the weather was much better for TOTing (no snowsuits over your costume) but we always just did our neighborhood and went with him.
Back in Minnesota again- DS is 14 and he stopped going a couple of years ago. My nieces and nephews all come over and DS will take them to a handful of neighbors and they hit up a couple of relatives or friend's houses and then head home.
It's hit of miss in Minnesota- some years it's 60 degrees and decent and other years it's freezing and snowing out. Hard to plan it much in advance.
I think we get around 40 or so trick or treaters that come to our house.
ETA- when DS takes his little cousins a few adults still go with, we wait on the sidewalk and DS takes them up to the door. Usually the neighbors give DS candy for helping the little kids treat or treat.
|
|