Folks in their 80s may remember when trick-or-treating on Oct. 31 became customary in North America.
Back in the late 1940s, dressing up in costumes and running from door to door soliciting sugary treats became a Halloween tradition for most. It continues today.
When recently reading about the history of the spooky holiday, it got me to thinking and many questions came to mind. One in particular is: When exactly are you too old to trick-or-treat?
From time to time, as I’ve grown older, I’ve gotten a bit upset when adults accompany children to my front door, bag wide open awaiting a handful of treats to be placed inside. Without fail, my wife and I still toss in a few treats and go about tending to the flood of children running up and down our driveway and through our yard bombarding us for their share.
This week, I began reminiscing about my Halloween trick-or-treating days, and I’ll have to admit it, I miss it very much. Looking back on those days running the streets with my friends makes me wish I could freeze time and stay young forever. Unfortunately, none of us really get a choice in that regard — or do we?
Who says that we have to keep getting older? If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times, parents today are so caught up in the fast-paced lives we all try to keep up with, that we don’t stop to have some fun with our children.
Most parents — admit it — are too busy attempting to keep their children from getting their clothes dirty or keeping their hair combed for the class pictures at school. Yes, those are important things to adults, but not children. After all, what is wrong with a few grass stains or a cowlick sticking up in the yearbook photo? Heck, I have a cowlick every day and I’m in my 40s.
In a way, letting your children be children allows them to find their own identity. Yes, they need direction and discipline when action is necessary, but face it, they are going to be messy, forget to take out the trash and release bodily functions without warning in front of company. That’s what makes them children — no matter if they are a boy or girl. We as a society are trying to force our children to grow up too fast. I’m guilty. My wife, Jennifer, is guilty. We are all guilty.
So from now on, I’m going to let my children be just that — children. I’m going to allow them to act their age even if it drives me crazy. As we all know, life flies past us at the speed of light and before you know it your 10-year-old will be all grown up and we parents will be left in the rearview mirror wishing we had children at home acting like they were — well, 10.
So this Halloween, I’m not simply taking my children around the neighborhood trick-or-treating – yes, even my 16-year-old – I’m going to join in on the fun. I’m not necessarily soliciting candy or other treats, just memories that will last a lifetime.
Remember, they are only young once. And if an 80-year-old comes knocking, I’ll be sure to give them double.
Adam Prestridge is publisher of The Grenada Star. He can be reached at (662) 226-4321 or by email at aprestridge@grenadastar.com
