Halloween STINKS! VENT.

So my boys no longer allow me to pick out their costumes.
Okay - I can handle that.

So we go to do a search on Halloween Costumes for boys.

They want to be 'scary' - I'm thinking ghosts and ghouls, right?

Well.. the costumes that came up were less creepy than outright GROSS. Leatherface - complete with bloody chainsaw, surgeon with a cleaver and blood.

And my boys? LOVED them.

What should have been a fun time trying to find good costumes turned into a stressful little argument.

I miss the days of pirates and lions and superheroes.

Noah was pretty easy to turn. We are down to some creepy creature or a SWAT dude.

But with Robbie I am torn though... he is 8 and says that if I 'force' him to wear something that isn't cool he's going to made fun of. And while *I* know he is exaggerating - I also know how traumatic it can be to feel even a little ostracized.

I won't let him wear something just because "Matt's mom lets him!" - but I also don't want to be overly picky.. so I ask the experts on this board.. WHAT do you think is 'over the top' or too much in the way of a costume for a 3rd grader? Any ideas for what might appeal to him without getting me disgusted??

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

How about a Michael Myers Mask. Scary yet not raunchy scary. KWIM. The best of both worlds.

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with a gross or creepy, scary costume. My little cousins went through the same phase at that time in elementary school. They wanted these gross costumes with blood and guts and all things icky. It's just a costume and little boys like icky, gross stuff. I don't know if it's worth fighting over. Maybe suggest a less bloody gross costume but still something scary and creepy. Realistically, I've had plenty of elementary age trick-or-treaters at my house all adorned in blood and creepy masks. I think it's common. They just want to look "cool" on Halloween and overly gross so people will like their costume. At that age, pirates and superheros and all things "childlike" become lame to them and I can see that he would worry someone would pick on him if he gets a "kiddie" costume. Good luck!!!

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

The blood doesn't bother me so much as the weaponry. I don't know.. I'm just really weird about seeing my kid with a bloody machete. I wouldn't mind a little creepy/ghoulish - but I hate the idea of my kid dressing as a serial killer.

I wouldn't mind a mummy - or a demon thing or creature... but the humans with weapons bugs me a LOT. The excessively gross stuff on my little boy makes me uneasy.

Maybe I need to loosen up.. but I am having a serious problem getting past this.

Message edited 9/17/2009 9:08:15 AM.

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

I think you have a hard time letting go of you last baby!

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

Posted by rojerono

The blood doesn't bother me so much as the weaponry. I don't know.. I'm just really weird about seeing my kid with a bloody machete. I wouldn't mind a little creepy/ghoulish - but I hate the idea of my kid dressing as a serial killer.

I wouldn't mind a mummy - or a demon thing or creature... but the humans with weapons bugs me a LOT. The excessively gross stuff on my little boy makes me uneasy.

Maybe I need to loosen up.. but I am having a serious problem getting past this.

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

My son is 7.5 so I feel your pain.

Lasy year he was a doctor, this year he wants to be something "gross and scary."



We settled on a vampire. Has the "scary" allure, but isn't gory or nor will it cause nightmares for his younger brother. And I'm obsessed with Twilight, so it's a win- win for all.

As far as weaponry, my son's school does not allow those "accessories" with their costumes..so at least for school, that would be a mute point.

I'm not sure about the policy in your son's school, but I would explain that those weapons are not really appropriate for school. And when it comes to trick-or-treating, they are going to become nuisance to carry.

But as far as letting them pick their own costume, I have kinda learned I had to let go (with some boundaries) a little too.

Hugs to you!

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

Honestly, i would let him pick for the most part. I mean he is 8.

From a phycological veiwpoint, I have read that children like to play the bad guys or really gross creatures because it makes them feel more powerful over scary creatures.

Think of it...your 8 year old dressup halloweens are limited,why argue.

JMHO. And I am someone who did not let my child play with a water gun until he was 4.

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

No ideas because I am dreading this down the road...just lots of for you!!!!

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

Stick with the school's rules. They say no blood & gore

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

Ugh Jeannie - as the mom of a rambunctious little boy who already has a dark side, I can see this being a costume of choice one day.

Looks like school isn't the issue - its the trick or treating after...

How about asking WHY he thinks its cool? MAybe hearing his perspective, and sharing your concerns would at least help a bit even if it still is his choice? KWIM?

also, thank God we have boys - girls costumes for kids the same age are totally hoochie mama

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

Thanks Ladies!

I did TRY asking him what appealed to him about some of those costumes. His response was something like "Ughh.. you just don't understand!"

I am becoming some weird hybrid between his worst enemy and his best friend at the moment. I just can't wait for the ACTUAL teen years.

We have come to an agreement... he can be anything he wants as long as it doesn't have a bloody weapon. No chainsaws splattered with blood or swords caked with entrails.

And after all that.. he's leaning toward a SWAT costume now.

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

My son is 8 & thankfully obsessed with wrestling so he is going to be a wrestler again this year.

He did see some gory stuff & tell me it's so cool. I don't understand them wanting to be these horror people when they have no clue who & what they are. Personally, I wouldn't let my son wear a leatherface costume. He can wait till his 13 to wear those.

Maybe look for something that he has intrest in. (baseball, football player.) Or a character from his favorite book I think he would make a great Cpt Underpants!! LOL!!

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

how about a zombie get up..pasty bloody face and dark clothing is pretty gross.

Re: Halloween STINKS! VENT.

I'm fearing this one day. From what I understand it happens eventually to all little boys.