Many parents dread Halloween and the abundance of sweets and headaches that comes with it. Not headaches from eating too many candies ourselves but headaches caused by kids eating so much candy and the frustration over how to and how not to dole it all out.
Some parents stand firmly behind the belief it's better to get it over with all at once. Let your kid's indulge to their heart's content. Other believe in doling out the sweets out a little at a time. Still others feel it's best to select only a few special treats and throw away (or give mom and dad) the rest.
When my kids were really young, I right or wrong, negotiated a deal with them. I allowed them to select a dozen small treats and they traded the rest for a plush bean bag animal. Both sides were happy. It worked for a few years but the older they became, the tougher the negotiations were and I threw up my hands and just let them enjoy all their candy.
I came to the realization that the candy wasn't the monster I thought it was. I decided the real concern came not with the candy itself but with the risk of cavities it presented.
Instead of negotiating a limited candy deal with my kids and more sweets for the freezer (which by the way, usually stayed there until next Halloween - except the chocolate of course), I just make sure they brush really well after they indulge in their treats.
I've also found setting a 'candy time" works great and for my family it has been one of the best ways to offset the effects of the sugar on my kid's teeth. My children now have a eat sweets/brush habit instead of munching away all day and waiting until bedtime to deal with the sugar bath in their mouths.
Published by Sherrie Le Masurier on October 30, 2005 06:26 PM
