Help your kids overcome their Halloween fears!

AMHERST, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - Though many kids love the thrill of carving pumpkins, dressing in costumes and trick or treating, it can be a little too scary for many children to handle.

Clinical Psychologist Tim Hope shared more about how to prepare your kids for the Halloween jitters.


Helping your children overcome their Halloween fears

Young children are concrete:

• What they see is real - trouble distinguishing between fantasy and reality
   
• Changes are permanent - someone wearing a scary costume is really now and forever a ghoul, goblin or ghost.
   
• Out of their control - surprises are part of Halloween rituals
   
• Rituals go against most rules - go to a strangers house, ring the doorbell, talk to a stranger, accept candy from a stranger, bring lots of candy home and eat it

Things you can do:

• Prepare ahead of time. Talk with your child about what to expect, what they expect, what they hope or fear will happen. Read books about what Halloween is like.
   
• Reassure them by having them be in control: be willing to skip a particular house, accept the candy for them, or head home when they say they've had enough
   
• Timing can be everything: plan your outing, ensure you're child had a good, nourishing meal before going out.
   
• Do a trial run of your route so that you're child has some idea of what they will see and where they will go.
   
• Consider the time that you are trick or treating and try to be home in time for your child to have the usual bedtime routine.
   
• Hold off on letting your child eat all of their candy before bed. All that sugar before bed is not conducive to a good nights sleep.