Halloween: Should you confiscate the candy?

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Oct 28th 2007 11:14AM

There are about a billion articles floating around on how to make sure you or your kids don't OD on Halloween candy, including this one, which suggests that you let your kids have a couple of treats, but them give away the rest to your co-workers or the local soup kitchen. Or, just throw them out.

What do you think of this idea? I understand that sugar isn't good for kids and they should be taught moderation when it comes to treats, but I don't think it's fair for mom or dad to take away all the treats that the kids braved the cold and the neighbourhood dogs to collect. The message there is that they shouldn't bother working for something they want because it will just get taken away (though that's a good lesson to prepare them for taxes later on in life.) Plus, it ruins all the fun.

Here's a trick that my parents used -- they kept our Halloween candy and let us choose a few pieces for our lunch every day until it was gone, which was sometime around Christmas. It still allowed us to feel like the candy was ours, but it kept us from bingeing (except when we found where they hid the candy -- bwahahaha!) And I turned out ok, so I can honestly say that if you allow your kids to actually eat their Halloween candy, it won't ruin their lives.

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Comments (5)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Judy 10-28-2007 @ 12:46PM

When I hear how much money some people spend on Halloween candy, and then think how ridiculous that is because it's basically spending all this money to trade around candy, and then that people are throwing it away, what a freakin' waste!!!

No, don't throw it out. Give them a lesson - if they eat too much, they'll feel like crap, and they'll be less likely to do it again (and a one time binge on candy will not cause serious harm). And then teach moderation - one or two pieces a day.

Zach 10-28-2007 @ 5:01PM

It's all about moderation. Get a "small" amount of candy and eat at Halloween time, then stop the candy eating within a few days after. The one event during the year will not hurt you as long as you go back to a better plan afterward.
http://www.physzique.com

abby 10-28-2007 @ 11:21PM

We dont even give out candy if we can avoid it. Past years have been things like bubbles, play dough, rubber rats/bugs/skeletons, bouncy balls, etc. This year its matchbox cars. We don't usually get more than about 50 or so kids, so it doesn't break the bank. If you think about it and plan ahead, you have time to budget stuff out. I think I spent about $25 on halloween this year.

Jessica 10-29-2007 @ 12:27AM

I totally agree with your philosophy... I would feel so gypped as a kid if my parents had taken away all the candy I had worked so hard to obtain! I understand both sides, but I think rationing (like your parents did) is the way to go. Or how about using some of the candy to bake cookies with your kids for the whole family to enjoy, or to share with a neighbor?