Don't be a thief this Halloween

When I was a kid, one of the most enjoyable parts of Halloween was coming back home and sorting through my loot with my dad. As an adult, I now know he was inspecting them for safety. But, as a kid, it was all about sorting them into categories and counting them. One of the categories we created was called "Dad's" -- because my dad always claimed his fair share of my Halloween candy. I never minded ... in fact, I was usually the first to start the Dad pile.

It turns out my dad isn't alone; 90% of parents admit to helping themselves to their kids' Halloween treats. While a few small treats isn't bad -- it's a holiday, after all -- you (and your kids) shouldn't overindulge. Here are some tricks to keep the treats to a minimum:

• Set a one-day rule. If you and your kids have enough willpower not to go too crazy, leave the treats in the open and set no limits for one whole day. After that day, put the treats away and limit it to one or two pieces a day.
• The baggie system. Ration the treats out to a small number in a baggie for each day.
• Favorites only. Have your kids (and you, if they're willing to share) pick their favorites. Get the rest of the candy out of the house.
  
• Buy back. If your child is a bit more possessive of their Halloween stash, offer to buy back some of the candy. That way, you're reducing the overall sugar intake and giving them some holiday spending money.