The Nanny Tutor

Even if you don’t partake in the tradition of Halloween, you’ve likely had to negotiate the delicate balance between allowing your child to enjoy treats and sweets … while not letting them overindulge.

Some parents recruit the powers of the Switch Witch at Halloween.

Much like the Elf on the Shelf, the “Switch Witch” is a growing trend where kids leave their Halloween candy at the doorstep and the Switch Witch trades it out for a coveted toy.

Although it may seem like a fun and well-intentioned concept, the “Switch Witch” may come with some unintended consequences…

…like a major case of “giver’s remorse” later on.

…or the whole idea backfiring by placing too much value on candy — which will only increase the appeal for candy in the future.

Whether or not you decide to invite the Switch Witch to your Halloween festivities, here are a few other ways to help your kids enjoy the candy without overindulging.

Start the night in a healthy way. Before embarking on your Halloween adventures, make sure your child eats a nourishing, protein-packed meal to reduce the risk of candy overload. Should they over-indulge, the natural consequence of a stomach ache will serve as an important learning experience.

Create a game plan for candy consumption with your child. Prior to Halloween, start a conversation with your child about your expectations and create an agreed upon plan for candy consumption. How many pieces of candy are okay per night? How many nights in a row will you eat candy that week? One option would be to indulge for one week and then donate the rest to troops overseas or another worthy organization.

Discuss how food affects how we feel. There is a correlation between what we eat and how our bodies feel. Help your child recognize the effects of food on their mood, energy levels, and more. “What do you notice about how your body feels after eating candy?” “Does it differ from how you feel when you have other snacks?"

Talk about how fun it is to have a treat now and then. The last thing we want to do is teach our kids that candy is inherently “bad” and lead them toward an unhealthy relationship with food. Enjoying the occasional indulgence is a wonderful part of the holiday that kids should be happy to celebrate, knowing it’s for a time and a season.

Positively yours,
Amy McCready
Founder & President of Positive Parenting Solutions, Inc.

Your turn!

I’d love to hear from you. What are your biggest challenges around eating and food? Comment to let me know.

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