Works for me Wednesday #9 - Halloween candy

This week I'm going to share a tip that I'm hoping will work for us this year.

As our kids have started to get older and are out trick-or-treating longer and longer, they are starting to bring home way more candy every year. Not to mention the candy they get from Halloween parties at school, their bus drivers, daycare... The list goes on and the candy just keeps piling up! Last year we were literally still eating Halloween candy at Christmas and beyond and I think there's even still some that I need to dump out of their buckets that hasn't been touched in months. I know they've forgotten it's even in there.

Abby is definitely my 'Can I have a treat?' girl. She is constantly asking for a piece of candy whenever she knows she has some available. Every day, after every meal - she wants candy. The other two aren't as bad, but they definitely like their sweets as well. Up until now, we've shelled out the candy on a very limited basis - a piece here or there, never before meals or too close to bedtime. And going through the pile of treats (even with Ron and I 'helping') still takes forever.

So this year we're going to do it differently. I heard about this idea somewhere (can't remember where specifically) but I know it's going to help. We're going to pick a day soon after Halloween - probably this weekend since we'll be home. For that one day only, they can eat as much of their candy as they want. I know they'll be bouncing off the walls and going nuts from the sugar, but I think I can handle it for a day. Then, after that day is over, the candy is gone. I don't know what we'll do with what's left - probably take it into work to share or find someplace to donate it... I really don't care as long as it's out of my house!

I've heard (again, can't remember where - sorry!) that it's better for kids' teeth and in general to eat a lot of candy once or twice than to eat one or two pieces every day, and I agree with that. Besides the constant begging - it gets them into a bad habit of being used to and expecting treats every day. This way, they'll get the enjoyment of the candy, it'll be a big deal for them and then it'll be done - until next year.

It works for me! At least I'm hoping so! :)

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