Trunk Or Treat

on how a new way of 'trick or treating' keeps kids safe on Halloween

Hello friends,

I have been watching an interesting change in the habit of ‘trick or treating’ over the past few years. Maybe this is just happening in Utah, since we are extremely family oriented here, maybe this new way of ‘trick or treat’ is becoming popular in other places as well, I don’t know.
This is what is done in Utah on Halloween, it’s called ‘trunk or treat’, and this is how it goes:
Instead of walking the neighborhood hunting down favorite candy, Parents gather with their dressed up little ones in the church parking lot. The little goblins then walk from car to car (or mini van to mini van) to spook the adults and collect their sweet treats.
After the kids made their round, everyone gets back in to the car (or mini van) and drives back home.

The issue at hand is the safety for the children. On a FOX news interview several mothers made it clear why they are so worried about letting their children go on a ‘trick or treat’ spree through the neighborhood; The list of registered sex offenders in Utah is long and a quick search on the internet reveals that some of them might live close by. I certainly understand and appreciate any parent whose priority is the safety of their child.
However, is a child’s safety less endangered walking home alone from school, the bus stop, a friend’s house, or soccer practice on any given day? Wouldn’t a group of trick or treaters accompanied by older kids be safe? Times have certainly changed and I wonder if our parents had to fear as much as we do today. There is much to think about before you send your little ones out there for a few hours of Halloween fun.
As far as I remember, we were always warned to be ‘careful in the woods’, nobody ever said anything about being ‘careful around the neighbor’s house’!

No doubt, - the world is a dangerous place. But can’t our kids possibly be protected carrying on a tradition we loved and so did our parents when they were young? It seems like our kids get robbed of the good times. I’m not here to judge the positive and negative sides of ‘trick or treat’ versa ‘trunk or treat’. Safety for kids is a huge issue - not just on Halloween. Pedophiles are all around, but so are predators on the internet, around schools, and the mall.
How much protection can a parent offer? How many restrictions do parents have to put upon their kids to ease the worried mind? One last question comes to my mind: Do you let your children become hostages of your anxiety and fears?

Have a happy and safe BOO Day!!

Rebecca~
http://www.rebeccalerwill.com/