Now that we’ve let them have fun taking for the night, how do we get their attention back?
There is an argument to be made that Halloween might be the most distracting holiday of the year. It normally occurs on a school night. Everyone is pretending to be something they aren’t (and none of those costumes are “successful student”). And, of course, the abundance of candy.
Depending on the candy supply and the age of the child, the Halloween hangover can last a week or more. Here are some ways to get your child refocused sooner.
Candy management
Parenting during Halloween is all about candy management. Just because they “earned” their stash of sugar doesn’t mean that you can’t still control the output. In fact, use the candy as a source of positive reinforcement when they do something well over the next week. Every chore deserves a trip to the candy jar. So does complete and correct homework. Of course, if they’re just sneaking pieces behind your back it undermines the system, so make sure you’re keeping tabs on the candy receptacle.
Quickly return the house to normal
It’s hard not to stay excited about a holiday if you’re still surrounded by skeletons, pumpkins, and ghosts. And it’s even harder if you’re trying to do your homework in a graveyard. For the people who really pull out all the stops, it can be hard to say goodbye to Halloween. But they must, and quickly. The sooner the house returns to normal, so too does your child’s focus. And then refrain from decorating for Thanksgiving until school is nearly out for the break.
Turn Halloween into a learning experience
Scary movies and costumes are great, but there is real historical significance to the day formerly known as All Hallows Eve. The History Channel used to do a really good job of showing documentaries to that effect, but they have since abandoned that strategy for Swamp People. You can still find plenty of materials on YouTube or through other online portals. You don’t necessarily want to give the kids any added homework. Just foster some curiosity about the holiday and its roots.
Give something back
Let’s be honest: Halloween is all about taking. Yet there are plenty of children around town who don’t get to dress up, go trick-or-treating, or receive candy. Plenty of shelters and charities would love some help, not only with donations but also helping to facilitate whatever they have planned for Halloween. Seeing children less fortunate than themselves can really help to work out any selfishness in your own children. It might also help them app