Don't Be Tricked by the Treats

Some people have conflicting feelings about this time of year. And I say we are each conflicted by different things. But like it or not, the “Halloween holiday” does bring about many temptations not just to our kids, but to us as adults too.

This week alone, my son will have a party at school, attend “Spooktacular” at the Zoo, “Trunk or Treat” at church and then a little walk around the neighborhood Saturday night.

He will be bombarded with candy at every turn. And I don't know where the cliché came from, but I've tried to take candy away from a baby—and there's nothing easy about it!

There are two lines of thinking in combating the temptations that accompany the candy-season. First, try alternatives to giving candy. When trick-or-treaters show up at your door, treat them to little individual containers of play dough or cheap toys (the dollar store variety packs that come several in a package).

Or some people give apples or raisins. I even heard the suggestion, believe it or not, of giving school supplies. Those treats probably won't make you the most popular house on the block but they can rid your mind of any guilt that you are contaminating the stomachs of our children. If you do give out candy at your house, be sure to get rid of the leftovers immediately to rid your home of the temptation.

Once you have resolved how you will handle the candy issue when it comes to children who visit your home, then you have to consider how to handle the candy your own children receive.

Now, unless you have a hardcore mandate against any sweets in your house, chances are your kids are going to get their hands on some candy at some point during the next week.

Now would be a great time to enforce the “all things in moderation” philosophy.

As a matter of safety if nothing else, children shouldn't be allowed to dive into their loot without parental supervision. So use that logic as a segue to rationing out candy portions.

You may want to try providing your kids with only a small bag to collect candy and make the rule that when the bag is full the collection time has come to an end.

Or consider allowing your kids to keep only a portion of their favorites and have a two piece a day limit for a set period of time. I have even heard of some who allow their children to keep a little and donate the rest to an organization like a battered women's shelter or child abuse center.

Candy is going to be a reality, especially during this time of year. And as long as you employ the tactics of moderation, safety and good dental health you should be able to—with a fairly clear conscience—say you weren't tricked by the treats this season.

I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to e-mail me at AskJulieHadden@Guideposts.com.

-----

Watch Julie in the New Healthy You videos!

• Print This Post
• Email This Post
• Log in to Save this Article