Managing The Halloween Homework Blues

Dear Dr. Linda, 

It happens every year, and I never seem to know what to do. 

Some of my boys’ teachers schedule homework for the evening the kids go trick or treating. I think it’s not a good idea, but I can hardly tell the teachers what to do. Year after year, it ends up being an unpleasant argument at our house, and kind of ruins Halloween. Do you have any tips to make this easier on our family? 

-Halloween Mom

Dear Halloween Mom,

Yes, I agree with you. I wish teachers wouldn’t give homework on trick or treat night. 

But since some teachers do give homework that night, kids, with their parents’ help, need to figure out how to manage homework and Halloween.  

Using these guidelines should help:

• Homework should be done before going out trick or treating. If your boys are too excited to do their best job, let it go. One night of not the very best homework isn’t the end of the world. 

• For older children, keep track of long-term assignments. For example, if one of your sons has a week to do his book report, which is due the day after Halloween, remind him that he needs to get it done the day before Halloween.

• If your kids are willing, skip trick or treating and throw a neighborhood Halloween costume party on a Friday or Saturday night close to Halloween. These parties can be loads of fun, don’t interfere with homework and are safer. 

• When you attend PTA meetings, you can politely bring up the issue of homework on trick or treat night. Ask the teachers if they would be willing to skip homework assignments on Halloween. 

And now that we’re on the subject of Halloween, I’d like to remind my readers of some important safety rules for trick or treating. 

Young children should go trick or treating when it’s still light and always with a parent or older sibling. Children, no matter what their age, should never go trick or treating alone. It’s always best to confine trick or treating to your own neighborhood where you and the children know people. Children should be reminded not to talk to adults or teens whom they don’t know, whether the person is wearing a costume or not. 

Costumes need to be easy to walk in and not so long that a child can trip and fall. It’s best to use face paint or other decorations instead of masks. It’s too hard to see in all directions when kids wear masks at night and are crossing busy streets. Have the children or at least one child in the group carry a fun Halloween flashlight. They’re inexpensive, fun and help light the way. Avoid wearing any kind of fancy slippers or “high heels” that go with their costume. It’s too easy to fall. Sneakers may not match the costume but they’re a lot safer. 

Once home, kids need to throw out any candy that isn’t wrapped. I know this sounds mean, and I’m not suggesting that they’ve gotten something that’s been poisoned. That’s highly unlikely. But this is flu and cold season: unwrapped goodies have been touched by hands that may carry germs.

Wishing you and your kids a fun, safe and healthy Halloween.

-Dr. Linda

If you have a question to ask Dr. Linda about your child or a school-related situation, she can be reached at Linda@stronglearning.com or visit drlindasblog.com.