Thursday
Oct212010
A Scary Thought: Sugar-Free Halloween
Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 12:20PM
These days, we rarely indulge in fast food, try to buy organic broccoli, don't put "Hostess Ding Dongs" on the grocery list and in general try to 
not keep a constant stream of M&Ms flowing into the lunchboxes. I often offer my kids cantaloupe for dessert, buy the super-lean hamburger meat and use whole-wheat bread for sandwiches (even though I really want that buttery, white-flour Kaiser roll).
So please ... I beg of you: Allow my children and I to enjoy our Halloween candy in peace. I promise I won't eat 13 Hershey's miniatures in one sitting. I will send my kids immediately to their toothbrushes post-Laffy Taffy and make sure they spend extra time on their molars. Fear mongers of the world, please stop frightening the world's mothers into foisting pencils and temporary tattoos into those adorable pumpkin-shaped trick-or-treat buckets in lieu of Smarties and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Kids (or perhaps their parents) work really hard on those costumes; give them a "treat" and skip the "sneak them a high-fiber snack" trick.
As it is, we've gotten good about making sure our kids are prepared for the more realistic and immediate dangers of trick-or-treating:
Dark sidewalks and busy streets. We've equipped them with glow sticks; high-beam, megawatt LED flashlights; reflectors on their backs, fronts and shoes; GPS tracking systems and a helicopter that flies overhead to shine a spotlight on their path.
But is candy really more evil than that gruesome Jason costume or scarier than the 12-year-old girl dressed like a trampy Brittney Spears? No, I don't think so.
I know, I know. Childhood obesity is a serious problem in this country, and I can't argue with the statistics. But it's not Halloween that led to the major health epidemic. Bad eating habits start at home, and we have to begin with the basics of serving fruits and vegetables, limiting candy and promoting active play. I was, in fact, horrified the day I found out my son had recently traded his healthy, well-balanced lunch for the chocolate sandwich in his friend's bag. Not casting aspersions, knowing that it can be difficult to pack a perfect lunch every day for my two kids. But a chocolate sandwich? (Perhaps that's a kid who should be limited to apples for Halloween.)
As parents, we all must confront several fears and dangers and worries when it comes to our kids. But on Oct. 31, I'm going to throw caution aside and allow my kids to eat some candy. And if I catch you putting a sticker – or heaven forbid, a granola bar – into the trick-or-trick bags, I will be forced to haunt you.
not keep a constant stream of M&Ms flowing into the lunchboxes. I often offer my kids cantaloupe for dessert, buy the super-lean hamburger meat and use whole-wheat bread for sandwiches (even though I really want that buttery, white-flour Kaiser roll).So please ... I beg of you: Allow my children and I to enjoy our Halloween candy in peace. I promise I won't eat 13 Hershey's miniatures in one sitting. I will send my kids immediately to their toothbrushes post-Laffy Taffy and make sure they spend extra time on their molars. Fear mongers of the world, please stop frightening the world's mothers into foisting pencils and temporary tattoos into those adorable pumpkin-shaped trick-or-treat buckets in lieu of Smarties and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Kids (or perhaps their parents) work really hard on those costumes; give them a "treat" and skip the "sneak them a high-fiber snack" trick.
As it is, we've gotten good about making sure our kids are prepared for the more realistic and immediate dangers of trick-or-treating:
Dark sidewalks and busy streets. We've equipped them with glow sticks; high-beam, megawatt LED flashlights; reflectors on their backs, fronts and shoes; GPS tracking systems and a helicopter that flies overhead to shine a spotlight on their path.But is candy really more evil than that gruesome Jason costume or scarier than the 12-year-old girl dressed like a trampy Brittney Spears? No, I don't think so.
I know, I know. Childhood obesity is a serious problem in this country, and I can't argue with the statistics. But it's not Halloween that led to the major health epidemic. Bad eating habits start at home, and we have to begin with the basics of serving fruits and vegetables, limiting candy and promoting active play. I was, in fact, horrified the day I found out my son had recently traded his healthy, well-balanced lunch for the chocolate sandwich in his friend's bag. Not casting aspersions, knowing that it can be difficult to pack a perfect lunch every day for my two kids. But a chocolate sandwich? (Perhaps that's a kid who should be limited to apples for Halloween.)
As parents, we all must confront several fears and dangers and worries when it comes to our kids. But on Oct. 31, I'm going to throw caution aside and allow my kids to eat some candy. And if I catch you putting a sticker – or heaven forbid, a granola bar – into the trick-or-trick bags, I will be forced to haunt you.
tagged Halloween, kids' health, parenting in Kid Management, Mom Stuff
Halloween, kids' health, parenting in Kid Management, Mom Stuff
Reader Comments (2)
This year, I intend to hand out one of the healthiest and tastiest possible treats: BACON. Cue horrified shrieks from the grain-eating zombies!
It's sad that all some people want children to be able to eat and drink are tofu, salad and water. What is so bad about kids having candy, chips and pop from time to time? I'm not saying every day, but a little won't kill them.
I'm surprised Halloween is even still allowed in today's politically correct, over-protective society.