Is Your Child Old Enough for That?

By Dorothy Foltz-Gray

  • Share
  •
  • Print
kids trick-or-treating
iStockphoto

Hot button: Trick-or-treating with friends

Your husband's worried because it's dark and he doesn't know the friends or all the neighbors. You do—and you feel your child is ready.

Solutions: Agree on baby steps
"It's not an all-or-nothing deal," says Carleton Kendrick, Ed.M., LCSW, author of Take Out Your Nose Ring, Honey, We're Going to Grandma's. "Break the event into components," he says. For instance, ask your child to check in every seventh house. Arm him with a cell phone and a time to return. Know the child's route. Deciding those details together can calm a nervous parent and make an eager child feel safer.

But Grolnick cautions, "If one parent feels very strongly, the other has to respect that. There's no right or wrong answer."


Deluxe Batman Muscle Child Halloween Costume
Tell Us What You Think
What's Your Biggest Fear for Your Child's Safety?

Tell us what most worries you and how you put your fears to rest.

Tell Us!
About the Motherboard
Motherboard is the source of great ideas, info, and inspiration for women. Its unique combo of mom-to-mom intelligence and down-to-earth advice celebrates the successes-and solves the challenges-of family life in today's busy world.
Life Made Better Newsletter
If it's on your mind, it's in Motherboard's FREE weekly Life Made Better newsletter that's by and for you! Sign up today to be heard and for inspiration, ideas, and secrets you can use every day
Sign Up for the Free "Life Made Better" Newsletter
See More Stories from the Motherboard
ADVERTISER