Adjusting To A Different Halloween
If you love Halloween like me and you’re a mom, I’m sure you have tons of plans for the holiday. Before I even had my boys, I planned our family costumes for the first few (cough) decades. How perfect a Halloween name is “Jack?” I mean I could dress him up as a character with his namesake every year until he turns 30 with no repeats. I also wanted these elaborate Halloween decorations for the house. Sort of like the ones at Home Depot but happy. But sometimes Halloween isn’t what you planned and that’s okay.
When Jack turned two, I wanted him to be Mr. Peanut. I even decorated his little car, bought little peanut snacks, and was fully committed to decorating pumpkins as peanuts. Then something unexpected happened. Jack said, “I don’t want to, Mommy.” I was stunned. I think I was frozen for a few seconds. Then I realized as much as I love Jack, as much as I want Jack to love Halloween, I don’t have to force my costume ideas on Jack. If he wants (and did) a costume from Walmart (bought it in tears), there’s absolutely nothing wrong.
Thank goodness for that experience because Jacob hasn’t worn a costume since he was one. I tried. I bribed him. He was happy to wear a pumpkin shirt or his spaceship shirt.
This year, I tried to talk them into being Ninja Turtles; they happily turned it down. Jack wants to be Spiderman. Jacob wants to wear a favorite shirt. I wanted to decorate the pumpkins as each of the Constitutional amendments or local endangered species; they decided on a toilet. I made a map of our Halloween route this year. Jack seems iffy. Jacob said he’d take a bag of candy from Walmart and he’d rest on the couch until we get back 
from trick or treating. He says nighttime is kind of scary.
Whatever happens or doesn’t, I know how blessed I am to be sharing time with two little ones I love more than anything. I’ll plan for it all and if we wind up having a Halloween party for just us, I’ll be just as happy.
It turns out, what brings me the most joy, is seeing my loved ones happy. Happy Halloween!!
