Devastating News



I just received some devastating news. My son informed me he is not going trick-or-treating this year! It was bad enough when my daughter stopped.

I’m having déjà vu. This reminds me of how I felt when my daughter was 2-1/2 years old and I learned that naptimes didn’t last forever. Ridiculously, it had never occurred to me that my child would actually grow older and not require that down time any more—regardless of the fact that mommy still needed it! This move away from trick-or-treating is affecting me the very same way, and it’s devastating on several counts.

First, I wanted my final season! I’d already anticipated this would be his last year for trick-or-treating because he’s 15 years old. And I personally think it’s weird when driver’s licensed teens sporting five o’clock shadow, park at the end of my driveway, ring my doorbell and mumble trick or treat in deep manly voices while expectantly holding out their candy-stuffed pillow case towards me.

Second, I’m sad because this signals the end of an era. I’ve already had to deal with the mental reality that both of my babies are in high school, now THIS! When did they change from giggling toddlers to mature, composed teens able to have intelligent conversations with me about art, authors, politics, and religion?

But worst of all, more devastating than my previous two points, is the fact that there won't be bags of candy for me to raid anymore! Wah! Just like naptimes, mommy still needs this; I look forward to it every year! The kids returning from their trick-or-treating excursions with their huge hauls. Dumping out their overloaded bags, ooohing and aaaahing over them late into Halloween night. The next day, they would each pack a few treats for their lunches, leaving their bags trustingly on the kitchen countertop. They headed off to school, completely unaware that I foraged through those bags on a daily basis—snarfing up their Take 5s, Baby Ruths, Whopper packets, and Butterfingers.

But no more. Sigh.

Well, fine! I guess I’ll just have to take this into consideration when I shop for the Halloween candy I pass out to our neighborhood kiddies. Sure my husband may be suspicious as to why there are SO MANY MORE bags of candy than usual waiting for disbursement. He may doubt me when I claim that I’ve noticed more kids running around the neighborhood lately. But hey, he’ll ultimately be grateful for my foresight because I’ve busted him foraging through the kids’ bags before too!

Yup, we’ve moved on from the Candy Zone, and we’re now entering the Par-TAY Zone. Instead of trick or treating, both kids will be attending Halloween parties this year. I must admit, we’ve hosted a couple of murder-mystery parties for my daughter’s friends and they’re a blast! (We’ve used this site for all our party materials; check it out if you’re interested: Dinner and a Murder Mystery Games.) My son will be attending a scary-movie-night party. Not my bag, but he’s really looking forward to it.

As always, there are positives and negatives to every stage in our children’s lives. I know they’ll have a lot of fun hanging out with their friends. I need to just get over it, I guess. Maybe I’ll drown my sorrows in some chocolate. Pass me a Kit Kat, will ya’?

Image by Rochelle et. al.

16 comments:

Rieshy said...

I have to admit my first thought when I read the second sentence was the lack of ready candy- then I laughed when further down your post you mentioned it too.

Susan R. Mills said...

I've got two down, one to go. I figure since the youngest is eleven, I have a few more years. The best part about him still trick-or-treating is that he is alergic to peanuts, so that's half the candy right there, and guess who gets it. Yep--ME!

Hayley Hewitt said...

We have not yet started the trick or treating. Even though my oldest is 5 years old he is easily scared (sensitive soul) so maybe next year. My youngest also has the peanut allergy so I guess thats going to be a bit hard on him. Will have to maybe take his nut free treats and I get the others.

2Wired2Tired said...

We are just entering the trick-or-treat phase, but are very close to the end of naptime phase and I fear it!

Those murder mystery dinner party games are a riot. We did that for a small bachelor/bachelorette party we had. I've alays wanted to do another one.

Unknown said...

Another rite of passage. Sigh!

I kind of went through Halloween candy withdrawal several years ago, as my son is 20. Before shopping for Halloween candy, my husband always asks that I buy candy that we don't like, so that we don't eat more than the trick-or-treaters. The "kind of" explanation: I still buy Mounds, Snicker's, Kit Kat bars, Reese's Peanut Butter cups (but should be concerned about food allergies), Twix bars, Nestle Crunch, etc. I can't resist. Getting a sugar rush just thinking about it.

Lisa Beth said...

What?!?!? Nap time isn't forever? What will I do?
Parties? AHHHH!!! I don't even want to think about my kids at parties. Please don't talk like this. You are scaring me.....

Molly said...

bummer! My kids are still little, so I'm in the stage where I buy the candy I like, in case we have leftovers after Halloween.

Annette Piper said...

I'm going through a similar thing at the moment. My eldest is 11 and is vainly holding onto Santa at Christmas, purely I think as he knows he'll get an extra present! He sorted out the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy a few years ago although the girls at age 8 are still firm believers in the lot LOL.

Michelle Zhang said...

He's not trick-or-treating?? Such a scandal...I mean, it's hard for me to imagine NOT running from house to house, raiding the poor hosts of their candy. It's not about "childish acts"--it's all fun! I really wish that you were MY mom. My truly foreign parents do not believe in the concept of Halloween. Yes, they let me go gallivanting off into the night, but do I have a partner to chow down candy bars? Do I have the pleasure to share my darling chocolate wonders? (Okay, I do, my sister, but hey, she doesn't count.) Geesh..the world is messed up.

Name: Holly Bowne said...

Look at the bright side, Michelle. At least your loving parents are not secretly chowing down on your "darling chocolate wonders" without your knowledge. Have a happy Halloween!

mylittlepatchofsunshine said...

This is my 2yo's first year going to more than just a couple neighbor's homes, so I'll have three bags to rustle through next week! I know it'll happen way too soon that mine are done with the door to door.

Name: Holly Bowne said...

Lucky you, Melanie! Enjoy it all while you can! :)

Laura said...

My daughter is now 13 & I fear she doesn't want to go trick or treating either. She always gave me the stuff she didn't like, but I usually loved.

I have an award for you on my blog/

Unknown said...

We are celebrating our second Halloween and my husband can't wait for the candy bag.

PropellerHeadMom said...

When I pick my 3 yr old up from pre-school/daycare he proudly shows me his daily report card and points out "No Nap". Little stinker! I am not a big fan of Halloween...but my boys are! I am sort of the Scrooge of Halloween
:-)

Foursons said...

Oh no! How can they give up trick or treating?! And I love your line about how they so trustingly leave their stash on the counter. Bawahahahaha