Halloween

So I have to say I am relieved Halloween was officially cancelled in Toronto. But first let me say I LOVE Halloween! I love dressing my kids up in cute costumes and I love seeing all the other kids in their cute costumes. I deck the house out in decorations inside and out, we do crafts, carve pumpkins roast seeds etc.

But I am relieved that for once I don’t have to be the bad guy and be one the one to decide it’s too risky for us. Although the girls are so understanding and never even thought it was option for them to go out this year. But then relief set in.

Why because this super fun holiday is so focused on candy, something that causes a lot of sadness in our house. For years I’ve been trying to spread the word about the Teal Pumpkin Project. What is this? Created by the Food and Allergy Reasearch group:

“The Teal Pumpkin Project promotes safety, inclusion and respect of individuals managing food allergies. This worldwide movement offers an alternative for kids with food allergies, as well as other children for whom candy is not an option. It’s easy just put out a non food choice for kids that have allergies, non oral fed or other medical reasons they can’t have a food treat.”

You can print out flyer on the website stick it in your door/window to let families know there is something non food available at your house. Its super easy and not expensive to have a non food option available ie: play doh, stickers, tattoos, erasers etc.

It would would mean so much to children like Jess who wants to Trick or Treat like all the other kids then gets handed something she is not allowed. Last year it broke my heart she kept saying “Thank you I’m not allowed to eat this, I will give to my sister” (not ideal for Hailey either with Type 1 Diabetes) but at least Hailey can use some extra sugar when we are having a day with lots of lows. But oh boy the looks I got … so yeah this year relief has set in that we don’t have to go through that.

Also what hurts my head lately is the amount of freaking out people are doing over Halloween. Big picture we are in the middle of Pandemic it’s one Halloween not the biggest sacrifice. Dress up at home, play some games, go a scavenger hunt for treats, the one thing I’ve learned in this crazy life is kids are resilient, Halloween will be back next year! And maybe a few more houses will consider taking part in the Teal Pumpkin Project.