How to reduce Anxiety at Halloween.

As a parent with an anxious child, being prepared is the key to success and preparing for the night begins well before the 31st. Talk to your child about what they want to dress up as and talk them through Trick or Treating. We all as parents have high expectations of the night. How fun it is going to be and your child might also UNTIL the actual day, so be prepared if they change their mind and do not want to participate – remember it's not because they don’t want to, but their anxiety is stopping them from doing so!!!

Here are some tips to help prevent and reduce anxiety at Halloween, all that we have done ourselves over the years.

COSTUMES

~ Sometimes, the simplest costume is the best to wear for a child with anxiety. Make sure it's soft, and nothing rubs like labels and frills. Anything too restrictive or cumbersome can cause upset and non-participation.....believe me!!!!

TRICK OR TREAT

~ Go out with your child – Not only can you keep an eye on them your there to give them the support and encouragement to go door to door.

~ Travel in groups with friends they know as your child will feel safe and secure.

~ If your child prefers to stay with you when the group goes up to the door, don’t push them to go but instead be happy that they are out enjoying the night or offer to go up with them.

~ Maybe go out before it gets dark.

~ Don’t have any expectations of how the night is going to go. Keep it simple, start with houses or an area that you know and see how it goes.

~ Explaining ahead of time that people may look different when they open the door as they too may be dressed up for Halloween.

Remember to validate your child’s fears, let them know that you understand that they are anxious and that it is ok. Don’t force your child to go out and Trick or Treat; staying at home and handing out candy may be just as fun and rewarding for your them. Validation - Active Listening

Relevant Blog Posts:

Learning to accept that your Anxious child does not always want to join in

Validation - Active listening

Stop judging

You are not alone