Vegetarian Advice: Vegetarian Kids & Hallowe'en

Question: Should vegetarian kids go trick-or-treating?

Our vegetarian family recently moved. I hear there's a lot of trick-or-treaters on halloween in this neighborhood. When we lived in the city, our two kids, age 6 and 8, would go to a kids party or community event. They have never been trick or treating, and are eager to try. I don't want them to start, because all that sugar is so bad for them, and I really don't think trick or treating is safe.

But I feel like it's such a tradition here, my new neighbors will think I'm unfriendly if I don't give out treats. My husband says we should just go do something for the evening, and not worry what the neighbours think. That would be okay, but I don't want to drive into town, and there's nothing going on here that I can find. I'd appreciate some advice. - D.I.

Savvy Vegetarian Advice

Dear D.I.,

This doesn't have a lot to do with being vegetarian, but it's typical of the split in thinking among all parents about halloween.

Are you certain there's no halloween alternative? Most towns these days have something. If you haven't already, check with the local paper, the public library, or Chamber of Commerce.

You're right about the candy, and the danger in trick-or-treating, not to mention the commercial hype. Apart from that, halloween is a lot of fun for kids. They love the scary stuff, the costumes, and the treats.

If your kids have been used to celebrating halloween, but there are no parties or events for them to go to, then have a party yourself, and invite all their classmates, and the kids in the neighborhood. There are probably enough parents who feel the same as you, who would send their kids to your party, and even help you put it on. Contact other parents by knocking on doors and getting your kids classmates phone numbers from class lists.

One thing about a party at home, it's obvious you are home. You probably even have a porch light on, and the trick-or-treaters will come. It would be un-neighborly to ignore them, so have a bowl of healthy candy at the door, and give it out. Next halloween, word will be out about your lame treats, and they'll probably skip your house.

Next year, when you have more time, you could get together with other parents and organize something through your kids' school, or the local community or rec center.

One last thought. As a vegetarian, you're aware of how much diet affects health, and probably are strict about what your kids eat. However, although you can influence them, you can never control them completely. As they get older, they'll have equally strong influences from their peer group.

You might think about letting them experience trick or treating a time or two, in your company. You can make a deal with them about the candy - my kids got to eat all they wanted for a day, then the rest was confiscated and tossed. Of course, it's a mighty test for the parents willpower, one that we always failed, sugar addicts that we are. (Must have been all that halloween candy in our childhood.)

Let me know how halloween turns out - Judith Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian

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