Trick-or-Treating HistoryNo. 3297 · The 2026 edition
Scaring my kids is really fun – but it’s also how I teach them to navigate a dangerous world
Discover how one parent turns spooky scares into valuable life lessons for their children.
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at theguardian.com.
This article explores the balance between enjoying Halloween thrills and using the holiday as a teaching tool for safety awareness. The author shares personal experiences of scaring their kids, explaining how these moments can help children learn to recognize and respond to potential dangers in the world. The piece emphasizes that while Halloween is a time for fun and frights, it also offers a unique opportunity to discuss real-world safety in a memorable way.
About this
This article explores the balance between enjoying Halloween thrills and using the holiday as a teaching tool for safety awareness. The author shares personal experiences of scaring their kids, explaining how these moments can help children learn to recognize and respond to potential dangers in the world. The piece emphasizes that while Halloween is a time for fun and frights, it also offers a unique opportunity to discuss real-world safety in a memorable way.
Tips
- Use scary stories and imagined terrors to teach children how to navigate a dangerous world and rehearse for real-life dangers.
- Warn children about staying close and not straying outside after dark through spooky tales, acting as cultural handrails guiding them from childhood innocence to adulthood.
- Teach children that courage, wisdom, and empathy are the true charms that keep the darkness at bay by confronting imagined terrors.
