Why Halloween Terrifies Me

What is the scariest part about Halloween for you? Is it the haunted houses? The creepy decorations people put in their yards? The gory costumes? For me, the scariest part about Halloween looks just like this:

I really think is the unofficial candy of Halloween. And why shouldn't it be? Does it really get better than peanut butter and chocolate together? Not on this planet. Some other yummy runners up include Butterfinger and Snickers. These used to be my favorite candy bars, and Marquis was trained very well to bring one home whenever I was having "lady troubles."

But now? It's really hard not to see this when I run across one with Sweetheart nearby:

Because really, when it comes to my Sweetheart, there isn't much difference, except it's mixed with sugar and coated in chocolate. And on Halloween we run from house to house, letting people throw them in her bucket with all her other candy. I hover with every muscle tensed, watching every move she makes because I don't want her to grab one and eat it not knowing what it is or what it will do to her. I have nightmares of giving the EpiPen there in the middle of the street with everyone standing around in their various costumes because I just wasn't watching closely enough. 

Another thing I'm scared of? Sharing. 

We all know it's important to teach kids to share. So how do you teach the difference, that it's ok to share toys or crayons, but food is a big no-no? And that it's just with some kids that you have to be careful sharing, and just with some foods? The simple answer is this, kids are smart. The hardest times I've had when it comes to Sweetheart's allergies have been from adults, not kids. Every kid I've ever explained it to has been instantly accepting, and incredibly helpful. For example, last year at Halloween we went to my brother's house, went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood and then back to his house to check out the haul and hang out. My little niece was wonderful at asking me or her dad if certain pieces of candy were ok to share with Sweetheart. And when she opened a Snickers and ate it, she kept it far away from Sweetheart, and then immediately ran to wash her hands when she was finished so she could play with Sweetheart again. There was no whining, no complaining, just acceptance. 

Still, there are many days I wish I could make Sweetheart wear one of these so no one will feed her.

(Found here. Pretty cute, huh?)

So what is my point? I promise I have one. What I would love is to help people think about this, just for a few minutes. As adults, we need to be careful who we are sharing food with, too. More than once in church or out and about, a well meaning person has tried to share their snack with Sweetheart, without even asking us if it was ok. Thankfully we've caught it every time and have been able to go over our food allergy spiel, but what if we had missed it? How awful would that person feel as we were calling 911? So especially now that food allergies are quickly becoming more rampant, and at Halloween when we are passing potential poison out at the door, please don't assume that any kid out there is "normal." It's not hard to ask before you give a child some food.

Please pass the message on to others! Most people (including me!) never have thought about food allergies until they or someone close to them was personally affected. After all, Halloween should be the fun kind of scary, not the sad kind!