It’s that time of year again. Trick-or-treating. But this year is a little different. Your child wants to go out without you. Your first instinct is to issue a definite “NO”. But, think it through. You know your child. You’ve been trick-or-treating for years leading up to this point. You know how they handle situations and react to things. But, if you’re still not sure, just ease up on the supervision a little. Let them stay in a group and walk behind them at the street or sidewalk as they go to the door. You and other parents can hang back and socialize while the children go from door to door. If you child is younger, say ages 9-11, ease up a little more each year until you know they can handle it.
But, what do you do when your child suddenly asks to go alone? Here are some things to consider when your child wants to trick-or-treat without adult supervision.
What is their maturity level?
We’re not just talking a certain age here. Maturity and developmental levels are different for each child. Twelve is a good starting age to start considering these requests. Consider this about your child: do they follow the rules? Can they follow directions? Are they trustworthy?
Know your neighborhood
This is another big factor in your decision-making process. What is your neighborhood like? Is it urban with a lot of foot and vehicle traffic? Is it an area where everyone looks out for everyone else? Is it a single subdivision or neighborhood? Does your neighborhood have a lot of trick-or-treating traffic, medium or just a few?
Time of day
Are your children going out while it’s still light outside? Or do they want to go out when it’s dark? Will there be other family groups around at the same time? You know your trick-or-treat area the best if you’ve been going out year after year. You know how long it takes to complete the route. This way, you know when is the right time to start and end the route.
Friends and other participants
Do you know the friends they’ll be trick-or-treating with? Have they been to your house and have you interacted with them before? Knowing who is going in the group can make a big difference in your decision.
If you don’t know the others in the group, request to hang out behind them or follow them in the car. While they might want to go with just one friend, larger groups have more visibility and are easier for cars to avoid. Larger groups are also better for deterring any would-be troublemakers.
The risks of children trick-or-treating without parental supervision.
Strangers, aggressive adults or other teenagers
Everyone is aware that Halloween can be a risky time for children trick-or-treating. But is your child responsible enough not to talk to strangers in cars offering a lift, or someone inviting them into their house for drinks or treats? Or even just offering drinks? What about recognizing when someone says something that doesn’t sound right or is fishy? What about if there is another group of teenagers wanting to make trouble?
Traffic
There is always more traffic and the danger of pedestrian accidents during Halloween. Put emphasis on street crossings and the need to be careful at each crosswalk.
How do parents prepare their children for trick-or-treating alone?
Plan ahead
Create a travel plan with your child before they head out to trick-or-treat. You can either draw it out at home or take a ride around the areas where they’ll be walking. It’s a good idea to make a practice run. And don’t forget to plan on where and when they’ll meet. No one should be left alone for showing up late.
RELATED: Making Spooky Season Safe for All Kids—No Tricks, Just Treats
Check in points
You might want to designate a “pit stop” at someone’s house you trust in case of a tricky situation or bathroom emergency. And adding stops at certain neighbors’ houses as a “check in” time is also a good idea.
Keep constant contact
Having your child take a cell phone with them is a no-brainer these days. To ensure more safety, come up with a safe word that you and your child agree on for emergencies. And using a tracking program is also a good idea.
Flashlight
Carrying a flashlight or glow sticks is a great idea. Even better, try to attach something glowing to their costume. You might want to try some reflective tape on a costume. Putting the tape on the buckets and sacks is also an option will increase visibility.
Other Cautions
- Remind them that they need to go to houses that have lights on.
- Only accept treats from doorways and porches only.
- Remind your children to not go into anyone’s house for any reason.
- Bathroom stops should require a return home.
- Your child needs to eat the majority of their candy at home.
- Every child needs to know how to identify themselves.
Knowing when it’s okay for your child to trick-or-treat alone is a decision that each family needs to make because of their individual circumstances. It is crucial that all parents sit down with their child and discuss rules and possible scenarios of what could happen and how to handle them. Remember, if you’re not comfortable with your child trick-or-treating alone, go along, but hang back. Learning independence is important but so is safety.
