Does every single thing have to change? I'm not sure I'm on board with all this change that seems to go on with every little thing we've ever done with kids. Have Y'all noticed that the kids don't change? It's the 'rules' for raising them that do. Thank goodness kids survive no matter how many ridiculous rules we imposed on them.
It's ok to trust your maternal instincts.
How in the world did any of us raise kids without the internet? It seems some young moms these days depend on the internet to tell them how to raise their little ones or to tell others how to raise theirs. What's a young mom to do when they receive conflicting information? Whatever happened to trusting your gut instinct? Your maternal instincts? It really is ok to do that. When you are a student of your children, you do get to know them and understand them. It's almost like being a mind reader. And you come to realize that mind readers are just people who truly understand people. So why are we making all these changes and freaking out over every little thing?
Mom-to-mom Facebook groups can be a good thing.
If there's a serious problem, I've seen moms go to mom Facebook pages before calling a physician. Goodness. I hope it really is the same thing that 500 other moms report (and nearly all 500 things are different) instead of something serious. Of course, there are those moms who will post the suggestion to have the little one checked out by the pediatrician. These groups are not a bad thing at all. They are fantastic for finding fun activities and great restaurants. They're good for recommendations for doctors, dentists, vets, etc. These moms will tell you who they like and why. But I draw the line at diagnosing or telling someone how they should be doing something. Or mom shaming. I hate that.
There's a new Halloween trend in these parts.
What's this have to do with Halloween? There's a new trend here for celebrating Halloween. Instead of trick-or-treating kids are going to trunk-or-treating sites, trick-or-treating at the mall, stay in the backyard and have a scavenger hunt, just play games, take it to the kitchen and bake goodies, have a Halloween pinata in the yard, play photo booth, go to a carnival or, better yet, have a DIY carnival, host a costume party, watch Halloween movies, and for goodness sakes why carve a pumpkin when we can paint one instead.
The ideas sound like fun but no trick-or-treating?
I'm not saying these are bad ideas. They sound like fun! Big fun! But why are we moving away from trick-or-treating?
We took part in many of those ideas along with trick-or-treating. Those activities were part of the build-up to the big event---TRICK-OR-TREATING.
Yes, I get that some people don't want to participate in Halloween and I completely understand these folks and those who live too far out in the boonies and don't want to drive to the houses of strangers. I'm talking about people who do enjoy participating in Halloween but are turning away from trick-or-treating. I'm not sure I understand the why behind it. Is it a safety issue? Aren't they only going to the houses of people they know?
The neighbors went to great lengths to make Halloween fun.
My girls had such fun trick-or-treating when they were growing up! There were people in the neighborhood who set up scary scenes in their yards and garages and my girls couldn't wait to get to those houses. I always laughed (and appreciated it) when the wives would stop their husbands from
being too scary if the approaching children were too little. There was one house where you knew the man was going to jump out you just never knew when or from where. It was HILARIOUS!
We'll still have trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood. Until we don't. I guess, when it comes down to it, kids won't miss what they don't even know. But trick-or-treating is such fun! I hate to see it go.
Do the kids still trick-or-treat in your area? Did you when you were growing up? Did your kiddos?
Happy Haunting, Y'all!
and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! 😁💓
Along with handmade felt flowers!
This one is already in the shop!
I personally have always resisted group think, so the raising kids by consensus doesn't appeal to me. We rarely get a Trick or Treater out here in the middle of nowhere, but I'm always prepared just in case a brave soul comes up the long driveway to our house on top of the hill. As a kid, we walked at least a couple miles out in the country to cover four or five farms if we were lucky. But they all were generous treaters.
ReplyDeleteWe have always LOVED trick-or-treating. I think doing it out in the country would be fantastic! I imagine all the spooky stories you could tell while walking from farm to farm! Though I probably would have been too scared and not lasted very long. LOL
DeleteWe still trick or treat in our neighborhood and it is A BIG DEAL!! We have a contest for best decorations with several categories - scariest, seasonal, and something else. I've purchased 1200 pieces of candy and I will run out by 8:00. We've even invited friends over to sit on our big porch and watch! Some of the parents even have bags!! LOVE it!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat! I'm glad some people are still doing it. Our neighborhood used to be like yours but our numbers get smaller every year. :( Have a great time!
DeleteWe quit handing out candy years ago in our old neighborhood. Older kids came and spoiled it for us. In our new home, kids don't come around so we are happy about that. Trunk or Treating goes on at all the churches around here and makes for a safer venue for the kids.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. We have older kids, too but they are so funny and not trouble at all. They wait until later and only knock if the light is on and they will take what's left so we aren't stuffing our faces with candy until Thanksgiving. LOL We've never had to worry about safety here so I'm curious as to why they're trending towards other activities instead of incorporating all of them. We used to do it all. Maybe we were Halloween over achievers. LOL
Delete"...going to the houses of people they know" - this is part of the problem. Too many people don't know their neighbors very well. Luckily we have a neighbor with young kids so we are expect a good number of trick-or-treaters coming to the door. We also know most of them.
ReplyDeleteOh, I enjoyed your post and the idea of discussing this "cultural" change. I put a link to your post in my post today.
I can't imagine not knowing my neighbors. A lot of us have lived here for decades and we always make sure we get to know the new families. It sounds like your neighborhood has it together. We have a lot of kids in the neighborhood but only two houses on our street bother with Halloween so not that many wander down our road. I love it when they do, though! I'm glad you enjoyed the post! Thanks for sharing. It'll be interesting to read what others think about this shift.
DeleteYou know I am glad there wasn't internet and face book and all of that jazz when I was raising the kids. I have to talk my girls off the ledge so often after they have been reading those things. I think our life was easier. My Mom thought my life was crazy though. I don't even know about the Halloween changes. Nice thoughts Pam.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Same here. I have no idea why they feel the need to read all those things. Just trust your instincts. They'll kick in and everyone will be just fine. The way our town has changed, the trick-or-treat stuff is probably the young moms. We are called Mount Plastic now instead of Mount Pleasant.
DeleteAs far as I know we still do door to door trick or treating tonight. Since I don't follow any local news or news at all I hope it hasn't changed. That was always the best part of Halloween. Of course little kids growing up with the trunk or treat probably won't know the difference.
ReplyDeleteWe still have it but the push is on for a change to it. I guess you're right about the trunk-or-treaters.
DeleteHi, I'm Laura, from Portland Oregon! Just found your blog tonight and I'm loving it! I can't wait to read all of your past posts! (can you say that three times? Past posts, past posts, psstpo posooo uh, never mind)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love the old days of trick or treating also. But not tonight. My daughter called just now to tell me that my two grandsons were told by their trick or treating buddies that Santa, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy are all fake and don't exist! My poor little darlings came home traumatized. So, I'm afraid I'll have to be a big grinch about the dangers of trick or treating! Especially if your grand kids go trick or treating with kids who have a big mouth! LOL. I hope you can visit my blog some time! I've been away from it for a while, due to some life stuff, but I'm about to jump in again!
You are so sweet! Thank you so much! OMGosh, I cannot believe they told your grandsons that. It seems so mean to me. I remember my cousin telling me all about Santa and I was so upset! I really don't think I've forgiven him yet. LOL How did your daughter handle it? I would love to visit your blog! Thank you so much for visiting mine! It's so nice to meet a new friend. :)
DeleteI have noticed the same thing. This year people were trick or treating before it got dark. I think it may be a safety issue.Is this a symptom of our society? I think so. Everytime I watch the news there seems to be more and more violence and I think people are reacting to that. Very sad.
ReplyDeleteYou may have a point there. And I agree, it is sad.
DeleteI hear you about the internet and new mums - how did we survive our parenting days??? We don't really celebrate Halloween in Australia but I agree with your question about why we need to change things. Tradition is important and I think it gives younger ones a link with the past. The world is definitely not moving in the right direction in many areas of our lives. Thanks for sharing with us at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty and have a great week.
ReplyDeleteHow indeed. LOL YES! That was my point. You're quite right about the direction of the world. Connecting with tradition lets the kids know there was a less chaotic time for sure. Thank you!
DeleteCongrats Pam! Your post is Featured at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty that goes live later on tonight. See here: https://grammysgrid.com/blogging-grandmothers-link-party-22/
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks! I'll check it out for sure!
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