Surviving Halloween with a Toddler

Halloween is my favorite holiday. Ok that might have been a lie, but it’s definitely in my top 3 (with Christmas and The Fourth of July).

As an aside, I’m totally aware that it’s August, but we just picked out our costumes and I’m all about it.

This year Camilla has decided that we are all going to be a family of Spooky Skeletons. I could not be more excited because she insisted on being a princess the past two years. Which was totally adorable but getting repetitive. How she went from princess to walking dead I have no idea but I’m not asking questions.

So… this brings me to the point of this post: Surviving Halloween with a Toddler. The following is what I’ve learned through chocolate stains and tantrums.

Helpful tidbit one

We always let Camilla choose her own costume. And by that I mean I scour the internet for hours, screenshot 20 options I like, and let her choose from the 20. We tried the other way and she refused to wear what I picked out and cried for two hours. Live and learn.

helpful tidbit two

Start planning early. I cannot handle going to those crowded Halloween Pop Up Stores and sifting through racks of options only for my child to fall in love with a costume that is no longer available in her size and it’s two days before Halloween and now she’s crying in a heap on the floor and I’m at the counter overpaying for a costume she doesn’t even like and won’t wear.

helpful tidbit three

Skip the stores and shop online. We really love Pottery Barn Kids and Amazon. The former has really great, fun options. The fabric is super high quality which means if you have multiple kids you can store the costume and use it for another kiddo down the line. We love Amazon for their variety of adult options, honest reviews, and free shipping. And if you buy your costumes in August (like we do), you have more than enough time to order, try them on, and if they don’t fit you can ship them back and order again. All the while the shipping is free because you don’t have to rush anything.

Helpful tidbit four

Carry around a pair of sneakers for your child while Trick or Treating. We always start out with cute shoes that match Camilla’s costume for photographs. But eventually you’ll hear “mommy, my feet hurt.” Also pack a coat, hat and gloves if you live somewhere cold. Because “my feet hurt” is usually followed by “I’m cold”.

helpful tidbit five

Make sure your phone is fully charged and you storage clear for all those cute pics and videos you’ll inevitably take. Yes, I’m that mom.

helpful tidbit six

The second you get back in the car and your child hands you her Treat Bucket, establish some ground rules, then raid the bucket while your child is sleeping.

helpful tidbit seven

Have fun! You only get about ten of these before it’s not cool for you to tag along. Before you know it, your daughter will be trying to dress like a “slutty koala”. Enjoy them while they’re young.