How I Taught Max to Trick or Treat

This is a great story, Merely Me.  Oh, I wish we had known about this type of learning when Nick was young.

I used to take him around the neighborhood after his brother got too old to want to go with him and it seemed a lot more fun in those days.  Somebody had spooky music turned up so loud you could hear it through the whole neighborhood; one guy came to the door with a chain saw and another guy was dressed like he was missing a leg and started telling a story warning about the dangers of standing on the railroad tracks.  My parents had a neighbor who liked to outdo himself every year.  The peak of his talents was when he got up on the roof with his daughter with her on a table and him being like an evil doctor with an IV going into her.  Kids were too scared to go up to their door!

Thanks for bringing back the fun memories and the great learning ideas!

As I write this, the day has turned into Halloween. Of course, I'm safe yet, or is it the Eve which is worse? Anyway, I'm safe. I think.

But it is Max's day, or rather night, when you get the privilege of chaperoning his haunting plea at each neighbor's door; those who do not hide behind darkened lights, cowering in fear of a creaking porch, or turning door knob, or screeching child making clear declaration of an ancient chant.

I always took the opportunity to inspect my children's collection spread over the floor, when serious bargaining would begin.When the serious matter of Halloween manners were taught: share with Dad, after all, he couldn't really go out and if he did, nobody would give him any candy anyhow. That's why I had kids. I'm suspicious of those who claim other reasons.

I hope he's dressed in whatever he will model throughout the neighborhood even now.

It is a another strange custom, so many things to teach, the most serious being, why only once a year? How do you explain that.