for trick or treating in your opinion?

My oldest is 16 (a young sixteen) and still wants to go. He's been talking about it for weeks and has his costume all planned out.

I didn't think about it until tonight and I'd hate to tell him now that he can't go with his younger brother and sister.

By Breann on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 11:30 pm:

I think he'd be fine to go. Especially if he's taking his younger brother and sister.
I don't mind when older kids come to the door. It doesn't bother me at all.

By Tsa on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 11:41 pm:

I don't know, 16 is awefully old to expect candy. I can see him dressing up and taking his little sister and brother out. But for him to have his own bucket or bag, I don't know.
Some older kids in our town will trick or treat for canned goods to go to the food shelf. That way they still get to go out and they help others.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 11:58 pm:

I'd give him candy! LOL! My kids haven't trick or treated for a few years now. They are 18 and 15. I think they both stopped at about 12-13.

If he has a costume all planned out, I'd let him go.

By Unschoolmom on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 05:59 am:

Frankly, I don't mind older kids at all. What I don't like are the kids who toss on some drugstore mask for a costume, barely manage to mumble, ""Trick or Treat," and that's it.

If a 16 year old showed up on my doorstep with a costume that shows effort and planning and Halloween spirit I'd be delighted and give him a double serving of candy!

Besides, it would be nice to have an older kid to walk with the younger ones.

By Colette on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 06:36 am:

I think it's no big deal if the older kids go trick or treating and I think it's great that he wants to go with his siblings. My 14yr old and my 16yr old are going out with their friends.

By Cocoabutter on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 07:07 am:

It depends on how he is approaching it. I would say that if he is just going to make a donkey's tail of himself and act like a jerk, I wouldn't allow it. But if he wants to have fun taking his siblings, then that would be great!

I love it when older people are just kids at heart.

By Conni on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 07:36 am:

Let him go!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He won't be home with those siblings much longer. Let them enjoy another Halloween together.

By Karen~admin on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 08:53 am:

Ditto Conni. Yes, he's not the *typical* trick-or-treater child. However, I remember when I was 14 or so, a bunch of us decided to go in costumes. It really wasn't for the candy, it was just for the fun. Jen and her friends did the same thing when they were teens.

By Happynerdmom on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 09:06 am:

I'd let him go, too. My 14 yo ds will be going. DD went last year as a junior in High School...not sure what her plans are this year. As long as the kids are having fun and being respectful, I don't mind. I enjoy my kids' friends trick-or-treating here, too!

By Bemerry84 on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 10:10 am:

I also say let him go!!!!!!!! My 16 year old is, he dresses up and takes his brother and cousins go along also. We went to a Halloween camp out the end of September and he went as Super Hostess Twinkie, it was hilarious. There were several 16 year olds in our group and they all went. No one was excluded or denied candy. They are only young once and this will probably be his last time.

By Shellyg on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 06:26 pm:

I say go for it. Not too old. I have no problem with older kids asking for candy on halloween. As long as they are dressed in a costume.

By Bellajoe on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 07:21 pm:

As long as they are in costume and still say "trick or treat" , i don't mind it.

It's the teenagers who don't dress up, don't say "trick or treat" and don't say "thank you " that sort of annoy me.

By Enchens on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 08:05 pm:

I'm with you Bellajoe.

By Yjja123 on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 08:53 pm:

I agree--let him go!
PS---We get way too many kids that come with no costumes and no manners

By Missbookworm on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 11:02 pm:

Thank you!

I guess I just wanted to see how other parents felt about teenagers trick or treating.

I'm the same if they're dressed up, with younger siblings and polite then I say let them!

By Debbie on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 07:58 am:

As long as he is dressed up, and has good manners, I could care less how old he is. It is the bad manners, at whatever age, that gets to me.

I think it is great that he wants to go out with his siblings!

By Dandjmom on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 01:53 pm:

Do we(I know that I do can't wiat) play with our children's toys on Christmas morning when assembling them. we tell them let me show you how it works( but we are really playing with it. Honestly as far as what my kids get from me ( they get what they ask Santa for) is things that I want to play with.

So I for one dont' think he is too old to go trick or treating. I wished I dindt' live in the city I would take my kids, for the past few years it's usually shopping mall.

By Nicki on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 02:28 pm:

Hope the kids have a great time, Catherin! I think it's great if the older ones dress up and participate. Ditto on the good manners, that's always best.:-)