Anyone else dreading Halloween???

I don't mind the holiday at all... I think it's kinda fun actually... but it's the candy... I still struggle with my desire for carbs.

Obviously it is easy not to bring trigger foods into the house... I won't give out candy that I have any desire to eat at all... but my daughter will get some... tons...

Is it wrong to let her pick 10 pieces and then trade the rest in for a barbie or something???  She's 4... and she's not a big candy fan at all... I mean, she likes her chocolate, don't get me wrong, but she's pretty happy with out it...

Am I a terrible mother??? 

not at all, we will be in Ohio visiting family..so I fully intend to "accidently" leave the candy behind when we go! lol

Kanga,
I think thats an awesome idea! You're teaching her valuable lessons so she'll stay healthy while she grows up. Lets face it...many of our food issues started before we were old enough to know we were heading down a dangerous path! I think you're a great Mom!!
Heidi

 I did that with my kids even when I WAS eating candy...what a bizarre thing to load them up on all that sugar.  Here!  Wash that down with a shot of whiskey and a smoke while you're at it!  I think it's a great idea, and you are planning for triggers that you know are gonna come.  Good job!

Yes... I'm planning, but how bad is it that I'm planning more than a month out??? Lol.  Oh well... guess I better start preparing her :-)

I am actually looking forward to Halloween this year - for the first time ever. That's because I will be doing more than sitting at home stuffing my face with my favorite food group - chocolate!

I am signing up for a Halloween 5K and bringing my nephews with me - I want to set a good example for them. Their mom may give them candy and that's out of my control, but when they are with me, it's not going to be about the candy but rather exercise and a healthy life style with some Halloween spirit, costumes and all! Shockingly, even though they are junk food lovers, they never complain about my healthy food and exercise and even LIKE it.

I'm not opposed to giving kids candy, but I don't think it should sit around in mass quantities and it should be clear its more the exception or special treat kind of thing rather than a daily thing. If it's not going to be a fight to take the candy away, go for it. Give her a treat and then giver her a barbie instead. The barbie lasts a lot longer than the candy anyways :)

I love haloween i think its tons of fun and i have 3 kids (24,22,17) when they were young and always i let them pic what they want to keep and half of it we have taken to the women and childrens homeless shelter . In your area i'm sure there is a facility of some sort that would be happy to have it. And i will say  that having my kids do this through out the year for diffrent things has made them aware of others my daughter last year cut her long hair for locks of love all on her own. Not preaching just saying

I LOVE Halloween.  I don't have kids but you have given me a great idea to find substitues to the candy issue.  This year I may try stickers, pencils or other things from the dollar tree and Wal-mart.  I have issues with Candy and since I am only 7 weeks out I am still learning how to eat and more importantly how to get my brain wired correctly.

thanks for the great idea
chelle

That's a great idea! You may even want to check something like oriental trading post... they have lots of little fun toys for cheap :-)

I think that's a fantastic idea!! 

We (husband & I) head over to our friends house for an evening of fun handing out candy to their neighborhood kids.. we dress up a little, and play around the kids and their parents. None of us have children, but we enjoy the fun.. We've done this for years & love that there's no leftover candy in our house!!