The guilt has set in...

Everyone is sending their "Trick or Treating" pictures. I have none. I didn't take the kids. In fact, they were in bed before the first set of kids arrived at my doorstep. I have no cute Halloween pictures. I didn't even get them costumes. The only fact that provides me solace is that they won't remember this holiday in years to come. Maybe if I start planning for next year I won't feel so guilty.

To Treat or Not to Treat??

It is two days before Halloween. Everyone is asking me what Madelin and Evan are going to be. The truth is, I have no idea. I don't plan on taking them trick or treating. They don't even know what candy is, and I plan to keep it that way for as long as possible. At this point in time, I can eat M&Ms in front of my two year old and she has no idea what is going on. Sooner or later, I will have to share. But what is the point of rushing??

I think the best example of our hard work came at Maddie's birthday party last month. The kids had a blast with the pinata, the excitement was rising, candy was about to fall, and then with one last swing - children's dreams were answered. And what did my lovely child do? Like all the other kids, she ran to grab the candy, of course. And then she put it all in other kid's bags. I know my time is limited. One day she will have a piece of candy and know the joy she has been missing. But that day can wait...for at least a little longer.

I wonder if I am causing them to miss some great rite of passage. Will their childhood be tarnished by the delay of sugary goodness? I doubt it, but at least they will know I felt a little guilty during the time.