Kate Stewart: Kids' expectations are scary

HALLOWEEN HOPEFULS: But are kids expecting too much?

With Halloween approaching it's time to talk scary - and two things in particular unnerve me.

As a parent, I find it somewhat counter-intuitive that we are okay with sending our kids out at night to ask complete strangers for candy. Unless dealing with people who are familiar with one another or that of an organised event, the idea just goes against everything we have/should be teaching our kids not to do.

Not that I want to scare the bejezus out of you but - newsflash - we live in a sick society and the potential for your child to unknowingly pick up some "doctored" treats is very real. As a responsible parent a sugar high should be the last thing on your mind - their safety should be paramount.

Secondly, as Halloween's popularity and celebration has increased in New Zealand, so has the child's expectations.

Kids who wouldn't normally give you the time of day, arrive en mass at your home, almost demanding rewards. Their sense of entitlement can be somewhat intimidating in many cases.

This is where a good guard dog at the gate can prove invaluable, making access to your door nigh impossible. I've heard from many a neighbour and friend just how menacing these swarms of greedy kids can be, to the point of being verbally abusive when the demanded treat is not forthcoming or to their liking.

Kids today have no problems sharing with you their feelings when they don't get what they delusionally think is theirs by right. It's not a pretty sight.

This can and has caused people to drawer their curtains and turn off all the lights in some desperate attempt to keep the beggars from their door. The mere idea of Halloween itself has been known to scare the crap out of people and not in the way intended.

People are literally held hostage in their own homes on All Hallows Eve as expectant brats, some not even in costume or armed with a trick, seek to profit from the kindness of strangers.

Unfortunately Whanganui's Mainstreet organisation has historically bought into it by recruiting retailers to join in and offer sweet rewards for just coming into their shop.

No money has to be spent - and I have seen some staff so busy tending to the demands of the children that paying customers are put on the back burner.

It's the epitome of what a good business should never do. It's ill-conceived and does little to benefit the actual business, unless they are accompanied by a purchasing adult, which, in my experience, is seldom the case.

If, however, you do insist on sending your off-spring out to trawl for candy at least have the decency to curb their expectations, prepare them for inevitable failed attempts and teach them to be extremely grateful for whatever rewards they do reap. A little bit of gratitude goes a long way.

I'm off to take my frustrations out on a pumpkin. Happy Halloween!

■ Kate Stewart is currently out and about on a broomstick but will receive feedback at investik8@gmail.com