Have you ever seen a tiny, teal pumpkin on a neighbor’s front porch? Did you know that it represents a home that offers safe, allergy-friendly Halloween options for trick-or-treaters with food allergies?
In years past, our front porch would glow with jack-o-lanterns of various sizes and mysterious faces, and among them, you could find a teal pumpkin tucked nicely in. Our house would be prepped with every kind of candy bar, lollipop, and sour gummies. But we also had a separate bowl overflowing with bouncy balls, stickers, charm bracelets, and small rubber duckies. We had treats for all children to enjoy, even kids who have nut allergies like my daughter, Ryley.
When my kids were younger, they couldn’t wait to pick the perfect Halloween costume and go door-to-door, cheerfully exclaiming, “Trick-or-Treat”. As the night went on, their excitement would build knowing that once they returned home, they would get to dump their candy haul in the middle of the living room to see what treats they had collected.
Instinctively, and without me reminding them, they would separate the candy into two piles, one with nuts and one that was nut-free. Then happily exchange among each other so that my daughter, who’s highly allergic to all nuts, could have a safe candy stash too.
In the feature article, “A More Meaningful Halloween: Teaching Empathy And Compassion Through Costumes and Candy”, the author reminds us to consider ways to keep this year’s Halloween kind and inclusive for all trick-or-treaters. Some kids may not always say ‘thank you’ as you drop treats in their candy bags.
Or, you may get a few that did not dress up or even appear to be older than the average kids. Kindness and how you treat these kids can go a long way on Halloween night.
Maybe those not-so-polite ones could just be a little shy, or nervous in the dark and among the spooky yard decorations, or have an unseen special need. Also, those “older kids” might just be really tall for their age, or maybe just wanted one more year to just be a kid.
As for our own children, remind them to use their manners while on each neighbor’s front porch and to help out other trick-or-treaters that may appear shy or being left out in the group’s fun.
In all the hustle of such a fun night, kindness and empathy for others can be the highlight of the evening. Encourage your children to think about others around them this Halloween season. They are not just little mummies, princesses, or superheroes. They are little people too.
Enjoy this festive time of year with your family. There are pumpkin patches and farms to visit and costumes to create. Let’s all add in some extra kindness toward others and maybe even put a teal pumpkin on your porch this year, too.
Happy Fall Y’all!
