Misplaced in Mommydom

Take Back the Treats


With Halloween comes hysteria over cavities, obesity and sugar highs. These are valid concerns, but why is Halloween doomed to take the rap for what are actually long-term, everyday issues? There’s soda in school cafeterias, alluring movie character toys tucked into fast food restaurant kiddie meal packs, and three-mile high frosting peaks on cakes at weekly birthday parties. And, while soccer is fast becoming the new national pastime for the under 12 set, the Game Boy lives on.

But back to Halloween. Probably, like most American kids, your children paraded through the neighborhood, dressed as bumblebees, miniature firefighters and satin-swathed, tiara-topped princesses. They knocked on doors, smiling shyly and reciting “Twick aw Tweat” with relish. From one house to the next, they made their way, faithfully posing and perhaps even preening, with encouragement from retirees reminiscing about when their now adult children were tots. They are rewarded handsomely for their efforts with candy, candy and more candy, as well as some packs of raisins, a granola bar and even a stray apple. (Bummer.) And you want to confiscate the fruits of their labors? Throw the results of their hard work in the garbage? For shame. We’re kidding, of course. But your kids are going to take some convincing to part with their stash. What’s a mom to do?

First, remember that you’re in charge. Remember when you couldn’t wait to grow up so you could make the rules? Well, now’s the time. Second, set rules, and consequences for disobeying the rules, ahead of time, so your kids know what to expect. This should help keep Halloween night bingeing under control. Third, determine and discuss the after plan.

Some suggestions:

How many treats will they be allowed per day? And when? After dinner or before breakfast? (They wish.) Must they earn their treats by eating their veggies or cleaning the playroom, or is candy their divine right? Stick to your plan. Don’t let them wear you down. And finally, set a date to end the sugar madness. Come Thanksgiving, whatever’s left goes out with the turkey.

When you arrive home, have each child dump their loot and discard the sweets they don’t like. Okay, that’s two or three less treats. Hmmm. Next, ask them to divide the loot in half. They get to keep half and the other half goes to charity. Find a charity, ship it to American troops overseas, dump it in the disposal. Whatever. Now for the trickery. How can you eliminate the massive pile that’s left? You could allow your kids to use candy as currency. Maybe your child forgoes a daily dose for an extra story at bedtime one night, or an extra half hour of television on a rainy afternoon. Or, kids could trade in their whole batch for a trip to a toy store for a non-edible treat. I’ve also heard of dentists around the country that buy candy for $1 per pound. My kids let my husband buy some of their stash, but not until talking him up from 10 cents apiece to 25. Five bucks for a bowl of Almond Joys and Kit Katx. It could be worse.

However you decide to deal with the onslaught of sugar this Halloween, remember, you can use similar tactics to train, trick, convince, cajole or bribe your kids to eat more healthily year round.