Halloween with my Toddler....

I have had three Halloween trick or treat experience with Caled and through the years, here's what I learned:

• If the venue is not fully air conditioned, avoid costumes with too much padding - Caled's first trick or treat experience happened when he was five months old.  We were so excited about it and my brother bought Caled a spider costume, it was sooooo cute!  When it was time to do trick or treat, Caled was fidgety and would not want to wear the costume.  Reason?  He felt hot, and the venue was my old office, there was airconditioning but not enough to ease a five month old wearing a padded spider costume.  We ended up changing him back to his dalmatian print onesie and he wore his favorite puppy hat.  

• Make sure the child had enough sleep, not hungry or uncomfortable - The following year, when Caled was one year old.  He was able to enjoy trick or treating more.  The trick or treat was supposed to happen in the afternoon so I made sure Caled had enough nap time.  I also brought light snack, milk and a small toy in case he gets bored.  Given Caled's age at that time, he was able to enjoy trick or treating.  He even won best in costume :)  He was behaved the entire time as he is comfortable in his costume.  It doesn't have a lot of padding and no mask as well.

• Comfort comes first....it's your child's party, not yours - the main rule is to ensure your child is very comfortable.  I noticed that kids usually throw a fit when they feel constrained.  This means masks, padded outfits, too tight costumes and itchy costumes.  For younger kids, it is not advisable to have them wear masks, the result would be the kid trying to tear out the costume and you the parent, putting it back on....the kid normally wins by throwing a tantrum or going into a crying marathon.  Another thing would be lace or tools - little girls look adorable wearing ballerina tutus, check on the lace and the tool.  Please take note, for small girls, they will be wearing their diapers and then the tights and then the tutu....how many layers would that be, don't be surprised if you will see your little girl scratching the entire time trick or treat is happening and yes....there would be crying and tantrums too when you ask her to stop.

• Choose lightweight materials - it would be better if it is something you can put over a regular tshirt.  This picture of Caled was taken during his cousin's first birthday.  It was a costume party and the material for Caled's prince costume was sheer and light.  It came with a cape but Caled only wore it for some time just enough to take a few pictures :) he had fun jumping around and dancing and yes, he laughed a lot too.  He's still call himself Prince Caled every now and then, proof that he loved wearing the costume.

This was during Caled's Halloween Party last week.  It was for his school.  It's easier now because Caled knows about Halloween and it was also taught in school.  He was excited to attend and we chose a costume that let's him move around.  He was wearing comfortable shoes and I was not adjusting his costume every now and then even if he was sitting on the floor.  It's like wearing pajamas!

If there's a need to find matching costume for you and your child, choose your kid's costume first, make sure he tries it on.  It would even be better if you let him move around wearing the costume.  If, you're in the mall and he doesn't like to remove the costume, much better....pay for it and let him wear it.  This will make him comfortable in the costume and it will also build excitement the next time he needs to wear the costume.

Happy Halloween!