Earlier this week, I found myself in the middle of a pile of string, faux fur, napkins and a giggling three year old. This year, my daughter Sophia wanted to be a black cat for Halloween. Although the local costume shop offered plenty of easy options, I couldn’t bear forking over $29.99 for a one-time-wear costume. I’m normally not a very crafty person, but I decided to take some advice from Where You Live’s finance expert, Jennifer Ranville, and try making my own costume this year.
This week we’re getting in the Halloween spirit with everything from cheap costumes to fun treats you can make with your kids! We’d love to hear from you. Tell us what your favorite part of the Halloween season is?
When it comes to Halloween safety, a little advanced planning can go a long way.
Costume Safety
-Avoid masks that limit or block eyesight. Instead consider facepaint or make-up.
-Avoid black costumes and choose bright or reflective colors if possible. If your child’s costume is black think about using reflective tape on the costume for greater visability.
-Purchase costumes, wigs and accessories that are flame resistant.
-Make sure the costume isn’t too long, so your child doesn’t trip.
Pumpkin Carving Safety
-Small children should never carve pumpkins. Let little kids draw a face on the pumpkin with a marker and parents can do the cutting.
-Young children can also paint pumpkins instead of carving them.
-Votive candles are the safest for inside a pumpkin. There are also candle alternatives offered at many stores.
-Make sure pumpkins are placed on a sturdy surface where kids can’t knock them over.
Halloween is a fun and exciting time for kids, but it can also be a frightening time when kids don’t understand what’s going on around them. Here are some suggestions from Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services on ways you can handle your children’s fears and anxieties during this spooky season.
The most important thing a parent can do to help their child overcome fear, is to respect what their child is feeling. Listen to your child and reassure them that they are safe.
Normalize your child’s fears, then teach them how to handle them.
Feel – “Wow, you really feel frightened of those kids in costumes.”
Felt – “I felt that way, too, when I was your age.”
Found – “I found that it was less scary when I…” Offer your kids some suggestions, and ask if they think that strategy might work for them. If they say no, ask them what they think might work better. This way, you have them focusing on a strategy to cope.
Halloween is candy overload for kids. But, just because they collect it, doesn’t mean they have to eat it all. Here are the details on a program that will actually give your kids cash for their candy!
Dr. Bowman’s Halloween Candy Buy-Back Program
Monday, November 2nd
Dentistry at the Springs – 6650 Crossings Dr. SE, Kentwood
616-554-2100
Dr. Robert Bowman is giving your kids cash for their upopened Halloween candy. Kids will get $1 per pound and be entered to win awesome prizes including a iPod Nano! Simply bring in your candy the Monday after Halloween between 3:30-6:00pm.
Earlier this week, I found myself in the middle of a pile of string, faux fur, napkins and a giggling three year old. This year, my daughter Sophia wanted to be a black cat for Halloween. Although the local costume shop offered plenty of easy options, I couldn’t bear forking over $29.99 for a one-time-wear costume. I’m normally not a very crafty person, but I decided to take some advice from Where You Live’s finance expert, Jennifer Ranville, and try making my own costume this year.
