Kids seem to unanimously LOVE Halloween, but it can be a busy and sometimes difficult time for parents – especially those of us dealing with limited energy or mobility. Costumes. Decorations. Pumpkin carving. Class parties. Trick-or-treating. Over-excited kids all hopped up on sugar. How’s a parent to survive it all?
We asked real parents living with chronic illnesses to share their best tips for making Halloween more enjoyable – for everyone!
Change Your Mindset
“I learned the really hard way over the last few years we have to keep it simple. Choose a few traditions and experiences – don’t do ALLLLL the things. Embrace being cozy at home with movies, caramel corn, and snuggling as one of the things. Put some good smelly fall stuff in your wax tart burner. Watch your kids get excited about the simple joys, and let yourself savor and get in tune with the changing seasons.” – Darcy
“We go all out for family Halloween costumes. It brings me incredible amounts of joy regardless of the work involved. I guess this is one area where my advice is to do something if the joy is worth the work.” – Tera
Manage the Calendar
“I have a supportive husband and in laws, so I make myself sit back and let them do what I can’t: pumpkin carving, multiple fall festivals and pumpkin patches, etc. I pick what’s important to me and prioritize attending those activities. This year that’s likely the kids’ class parties, a themed fairy tale park event, and our favorite pumpkin patch.” – Lauren
“Try to pad the day or two after [an activity or event]with no expectations or tasks. With RA, I get a ‘holiday hangover’ of exhaustion. Probably even people without chronic illness get that. Especially with little kids…who don’t let you get a ton of sleep!” – Darcy
“I posted in a local moms group and found out which local neighborhoods go all out with decorations. We go ride and look at Halloween decorations, like people usually do at Christmas! My kids love it. We’ll go for a drive every weekend until Halloween.” – Jordan
Decorations
“Order everything on Amazon. Everything. Costume, candy, decor. I don’t have energy to expend on trying to remember all the things!” – Libby
“I’ve embraced decorating and doing things early, a little at a time. That way I can avoid the rush and the pressure. I can enjoy the process and the stuff. The kids get excited as we focus on one small thing at a time.” – Darcy
“I order everything online. Between Amazon Prime and Target Red Card 2 day shipping, I can find pretty much anything!” – Lauren
Trick-or-Treating
“I take my son trick-or-treating in a trailer park because the houses are closer together and often the stairs are easier for my rheumatoid arthritis, especially in the rain. We found one that goes all out during Halloween – it’s super fun and a great little community.” – Eileen
“I have to plan for that night and pace myself that day. That means minimal activity and staying home during the day so I have enough energy and low pain levels to get through an active evening. Pacing is the story of my life. My joints and inflammation do NOT like sugar, so I don’t eat my kids’ Halloween candy either!” – Lauren
Our private Facebook group is a treasure trove of advice and encouragement, where real moms living with chronic illnesses brainstorm together and share their hard-earned advice and knowledge. But often the same questions come up in the group over and over again, and a lot of great advice gets buried in our archives! Our “Mama Knows Best” series seeks to organize some of that advice, making it easier for future mamas to find!
