By: A Confused Dad (and a Slightly Skeptical Mom)
Let’s be real here: Halloween is a strange holiday. It’s the one day of the year where we, as parents, willingly contradict everything we’ve ever taught our children about safety. We spend years telling our kids, “Don’t talk to strangers!” and “Definitely don’t take candy from them!” But come October 31st, we dress them up in costumes, hand them a bucket, and tell them to go door-to-door asking random people for candy. If that’s not weird parenting logic, I don’t know what is.
Now, as a dad, I admit I’m a little torn about the whole thing. On the one hand, I love seeing the kids excited, running around in costumes, and hyped up on sugar (though I’ll regret saying that when bedtime comes). On the other hand, it’s baffling how quickly we toss out the “stranger danger” rule in favor of celebrating a holiday where we encourage them to approach every stranger in the neighborhood.
The Irony of Stranger Danger
Halloween is like the ultimate parenting paradox. For 364 days of the year, we emphasize the importance of never talking to strangers. I’m out here giving lectures like, “If someone offers you candy, you run the other way, okay?” Then October 31st rolls around, and I’m like, “No, it’s cool. Go knock on the Smiths’ door and ask for Snickers. They have the king-sized bars.”
And don’t get me started on the “don’t eat things you’ve found on the ground” rule. Because, what’s the first thing kids do after they score a good haul of candy? They dump it all over the floor and sort it like they’re some kind of sugar-hungry pirates. And yes, I’m right there helping them divide up the loot because, as a parent, I have earned my candy tax. Plus, my OCD kicks in real hard with the candy organizing. Do not get me started!
Mom’s Take: The Safety Patrol
My wife, on the other hand, is the voice of reason when it comes to Halloween (as she is with most things). While I’m busy being distracted by which house has the best decorations, she’s inspecting the kids’ costumes to make sure they’re reflective enough, they can actually see through their masks, and that their capes won’t trip them up while they sprint to the next house.
She also does the thorough candy check. You know, because “some people are weird” and she doesn’t trust anything that’s not factory-sealed. So while I’m over here sneaking peanut butter cups from the kids’ stash, she’s sorting and tossing anything that looks remotely suspicious. I appreciate her vigilance, though—every team needs a safety officer.
Why We Keep Doing It
Despite all the contradictions, the truth is that Halloween is still one of my favorite holidays. There’s just something about the excitement in the air, the kids’ uncontainable joy as they run from house to house, and yes, even the strange tradition of collecting candy from strangers that makes it a memorable time.
Maybe it’s the nostalgia. I can remember being a kid, dressed up as Batman, roaming the neighborhood with a pillowcase full of candy, and feeling like the richest kid on the block. Or maybe it’s the fact that, as parents, we know the world isn’t always as scary as we make it out to be. We spend so much time teaching our kids to be cautious and smart, but on Halloween, we allow them just a little bit of freedom—wrapped in safety guidelines, of course.
At the end of the day, Halloween is about having fun, making memories, and celebrating the joy of childhood. So, yes, it’s a weird holiday, but maybe that’s what makes it so great. Besides, who doesn’t want to dress up like a superhero, eat an absurd amount of candy, and call it a good parenting night?
Conclusion: Embrace the Weirdness
Halloween might be filled with contradictions, but it’s one of those quirky holidays we all secretly love. So, as you send your kids out to knock on strangers’ doors and beg for candy, just remember: sometimes it’s okay to bend the rules—for one night, at least.
