3 minute read
Trick-or-treat tips
Parenting with Confidence
Halloween tips and tricks
When trick-or-treating at night, don’t forget to bring a flashlight, head lamp or glow sticks with you so drivers can better see your child and you.
Have some safe, spooky fun this October
October in New York is all about fresh, cooler air, apple picking with the family, and making beautiful memories. We also have pumpkin picking, decorating, baking, and gatherings with family and friends. Whether you are Team Apple or Team Pumpkin Spice, it’s all so nice.
October also means celebrating Halloween. It has looked and felt a lot different with COVID. My personal advice is that every family has to assess what they feel comfortable with and what they don’t feel with comfortable with. As parents, we have been weighing pros and cons since we first found out about COVID. We have all had to pivot and shift. How you have handled COVID versus how your next door neighbor has handled may be different. We all have to be kind to ourselves and do what feels right for us and our families. We have to give ourselves grace, along with our family and friends who have different reasoning for their own actions.
However you have handled these times, we are all in this together. Our communities, our children, us as parents and individuals, are all
by Quoida Lauzon
being impacted in some way. At the end of the day, we all want to do our best to stay healthy and keep our children healthy and safe.
Trick-or-treating is so much fun for children, but as parents and caregivers it’s our job to keep them safe.
I wanted to share with you some safety tips and different creative ideas for your family during this Halloween season.
For trick-or-treaters
• Place strips of reflective tape on the front and back of costumes. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight, head lamp or glow sticks with you so drivers can better see your child and you.
• Make sure your child’s costume fits well and that they are not tripping on any material. Be sure the footwear fits well to prevent falling and injuries.
• Put your child’s name, address and your phone number on the inside of their costume.
• You should have your child wait until they are home and you have looked at all pieces of candy to make sure the candy hasn’t been tampered with before allowing your child to eat any.
• Bring some hand sanitizer or wipes.
For homeowners
• Turn on outdoor lights and make sure there is plenty of light. • Clear walkways to prevent any falls.
• It’s recommended that you swap out real candles in your pumpkins and add battery-operated ones instead.
• Many children do have allergies, so consider giving treats other than sweets. You could hand out small toys, stickers, pencils, and other fun non-food items.
• Use a teal colored pumpkin or a sign in your yard/ window letting families know that you have allergyfriendly treats.
Some families like to go to local shopping centers so they can avoid the cold weather and navigating the streets when it’s dark, or they just feel safer in a more controlled area for their children.
Some families that don’t feel comfortable taking their kids out to big shopping centers or door-to-door in the neighborhood have done a candy hide-and-seek with their kids and close friends and family. You hide several pieces of candy outside or inside and have the kids go on a candy hunt. You can also set up a piñata for the family.
Whatever you decide to do, be safe, be mindful, be kind, and keep it fun and creative. Celebrate and make sure it’s still memorable for your kids.
Quoida Lauzon is a Capital District mom and a Registered Nurse who specializes in maternal and infant health, breastfeeding and childbirth education. She teaches classes and coaches new mothers in their pregnancy and “fourth trimester” journey and believes women should thrive, not just survive, motherhood. Connect with her on social media @nurse.q.lauzon or visit nurseq.com.
Your child’s costume and footwear should fit well and not present any tripping hazards. Halloween is a great time to make lasting memories with your family.
