Halloween is obviously a time for scaring and all things spooky, but not every child reacts to this holiday the same way. For many children, they simply become too afraid at seeing zombies and witches walking along once per year and spend Halloween in a state of panic. If you want to keep the fright to a minimum this Halloween, then these 5 tips are for you.
Stay Close
While some communities are comfortable enough to let their children go trick or treating without the parents, this model is not suited for every child. Even if your neighborhood is completely safe, that is not going to keep your child’s fears at bay.
For many children, the most alarming aspect of Halloween is being surrounded by monsters without their parents. Even among trusted friends, that can be terrifying for a child. To solve this, consider tagging along for trick or treating this Halloween.
While you will not need to hold your child’s hand all night, it will set them at ease to have you nearby on Halloween. Just trail behind your child and their friends and they will have a much happier Halloween.
Use Scary Costumes
While it may sound counter-intuitive, a scary costume can be a great way to keep your child feeling safe this Halloween. By letting your child select a scary costume, they will get to see the fun of Halloween and pretending to be something that goes bump in the night. This will not only help them relax, but will also allow them to relate more to the other children and overall have a much more enjoyable Halloween.
Dress Up With Your Child
Dressing up with a timid child on Halloween may seem counterproductive, but consider the implications. There are no adults that a child will trust more than their parents, so what better way to show them that people in costumes are friendly than by dressing up?
By seeing you in a costume, your child will be able to understand that the children that are dressed up are just as nice as anyone else. It is probably a good idea to avoid anything too gory for this tactic.
Highlight Traditions
For some people Halloween is all about scary movies. However, if you have young children this may not be the route you want to take your holiday. Instead of focusing on the spooks and scares of Halloween, consider starting and highlighting fun family traditions each year. It may be a tradition to eat a certain type of food before going trick-or-treating, or watching a more mild holiday themed movie. By focusing your child’s attention on positive Halloween traditions, it can help them focus on the fun aspects of the night.
Make Real-Life Comparisons
Another facet of a child’s fear of Halloween is often a simple lack of understanding. Try comparing the costumes on Halloween to your child’s favorite team mascot and stress that they are both just a person in a costume. If your child does not have a favorite team mascot, show them some pictures of mascots for sale and explain that this is just a grown-up in a costume.
This will show your child that costumes are nothing to be afraid of, and even adults wear them sometimes. Your child will feel much more comfortable with this knowledge.
Many children look forward to Halloween for months, and there is no reason that your child should not do the same. Use these tips to make sure that this October 31st, your child is ready to have a great night without the fright.
