This is the first year I’ve decided to completely ignore the scary side of Halloween. And yes, this is a permanent thing, and will include when I have kids. In fact, that’s the main reason I gave it up.
I have to admit, I’ve been thinking about this one for a while. My pastor said something about it in early October 2005, and nothing since, but I’ve been turning it over in my mind since then. It makes sense to me. We don’t have a “Let’s pretend your mother and I are married to different people” night, a “Let’s pretend it’s okay to kill people” night and we don’t really need a “Let’s pretend we’re afraid of ghosts, witches and the dark” night. Fear is not rational. Good sense, sure, but not fear.
My parents walked a very fine line when I was a kid, making it fun while completely discarding the idea that we were pretending to be afraid of things. I went out as a clown or something. Not a scary clown, either. I don’t think I can walk that line, of pretending to participate but not traumatizing my kids.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I’m going to be a complete stick in the mud about it. There’s other ways to celebrate, and I’ll do my best to make sure my kids don’t feel left out completely. There will be parties, and there will be candy, and there will be fun. Just no scary costumes. Here’s where it’s good to know some like-minded people.
Honestly, the only thing I miss about giving up Halloween is I’ll never get my chance make up a really great medieval/priate/Jedi costume. I do have a friend planning a medieval wedding. Maybe I can convince another friend to have a marriage at sea. The Jedi thing is totally out, but after the last three movies, who cares anyway?