Should a child stop trick-or-treating at 12, 13, 14?? I have definitely heard the deep voice of a teenage boy behind a fright mask. Or the high-pitched voices of a group of girl friends out trick-or-treating. I have wondered why these kids are still out on what is very much a night for preschool and elementary school children.
When should a child stop? Should the child make his or her own choice or should a parent step in to let the child know that it is time to hang up the pillowcase?
My daughter is 12. She is mature for 12 and on other occasions quite young for her age. For the last 2 years she has been on the fence about trick-or-treating. Two years ago she waited until the 11th hour to go out. I was not pleased to walk her around the neighborhood at 8:55 p.m., but at least it was her own decision. This year she wants a costume, but again is undecided about going out. I want her to go out as she still seems so young.
She is not a candylover at all, so the mounds of Hershey bars are not a draw to her. I am the recipient of her loot…score for mom. At her age Halloween night is about walking around with friends while a parent tags along two or three paces behind.
She is 12 and on the cusp of “teenagehood.” I can see her going out at 12, 13, and perhaps 14. As her mother I need to let her make her own decisions.
Wow. This is hard. I can’t wait to hear what she decides! I am most excited about going trick or treating at a senior citizen home this year. They are opening it up the Monday for Halloween. I think it will be such a blessing for the seniors and the children : ). Kaishon keeps changing his idea about the costume. I have NO idea what will win out in the end. No idea at all!
My rule growing up was 8th grade was the cut-off. Maybe it’s just the way that I was raised, but that makes sense to me. Too old in high school, and truth be told, junior high is towing the line, but I’m okay with my kids going until 8th grade.