Halloween Safety Tips for your Tween
Is your tween begging to trick-or-treat alone with her friends for Halloween? It’s a rite of passage for tweens to go trick-or-treating on their own, and eventually, they’ll ask. Are you ready to let her go with a group of friends? If this is the year, be prepared with some of these tips:
Start early: If your neighborhood doesn’t have a set time for trick-or-treating, let the group start early and give them a specific route to take before it gets dark. Then, later, when the sun goes down and the bigger kids come out, take over as their chaperone. They don’t like that idea? Fine. No more candy after dark.
Costume check: Do a costume check before the group heads out. Make sure no one is dressed provocatively or too mature for their age. If you’re not comfortable with another girl’s costume, and you feel she may become a target by some older kids, don’t let her go out on her own. Also, make sure the girls are dressed for the weather. If it’s cold, grab gloves, scarves, hats and even coats. They’ll complain at first, but they’ll be thankful once they realize they’ll be able to stay out longer and score more loot!
Supplies: If you’re OK with the group heading out together a bit later, have them bring some extra supplies. They’ll need a flashlight or two, and make sure at least one of them carries a cell phone that’s completely charged. Let them know you’ll be checking in on them often.
Candy check: Tell them they are not to eat any candy en route. When they get home, they can sort and trade to their heart’s content after you inspect all the candy to make sure it’s not been tampered with and that it’s safe to eat (and also so you can confiscate the Junior Mints and Tootsie Rolls!).
Be respectful: Remind your tweens that this is a holiday and they are going to people’s homes. If there is not a light on, they should skip the house. Tell them to be polite, smile, show off their costumes, and if they’re asked about their costumes, they should tell the neighbors about what they chose to wear. Remind them not to take more candy than offered, and to always say thank you!
About the Author:
Stephanie Elliot, in no particular order, is a wife, writer, blogger, book reviewer, editor and mother to three kids, two who have already been tweens, and one who is right smack in the middle of his tween-ness. Her oldest son is almost driving and her daughter survived her tween years so Stephanie must be doing something right. Find out more at http://stephanieelliot.com
