Parents Took Overdemanding To A Whole New Level This Halloween

It's a Halloween tradition to hand out pounds of candy to young costume clad trick-or-treaters, which their parents are supposed to then sift through and dole out to the child as they see fit.

If a child is allergic to an ingredient in candy it's the parent's job to remove those candies and keep their kids safe, but as people become more socially conscious the over-demanding and self centered start to take advantage.

(See full sized image here)

One extremely pushy parent went around posting this list of demands around their neighborhood, and unsurprisingly forgot to include their name or address so their neighbors could properly thank them.

Asking your neighbors to hand out small toys instead of candy is one thing, but what kind of sadist hands out carrot sticks on Halloween?

-Via Boing Boing


I saw a comic strip yesterday (don't remember where) that had a bunch of trick or treaters at a door and they were all yelling "I'm lactose intolerant" "I can't eat gluten" "I'm allergic to peanuts" meanwhile the people trying to hand out the candy look totally lost at what to do.

I read this to my wife and she scoffed. I said, "Mark my words, this is what is going to happen eventually."

Today I see this post. That didn't take long at all.
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We had a lady barge through a group of kids up to our candy bowl, started rummaging through the bowl, then looks up and says, "Do you have anything without nuts? I mean, seriously?!" I said sorry, we just have a bunch of Snickers. She rolled her eyes, let out a loud sigh, grabbed her kid and yanked him back through the group that was there. Geez, sorry lady, if I had known the Queen of Halloween was coming I would've made better accommodations.
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  4 replies
We have several hundred trick-or-treaters every year. They all get Dum-Dums or bubble gum. I never have any leftovers. Not a one of those kids lives in this neighborhood anyway.
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If your child had a fatal allergy from nuts, my guess is that you would feel differently. Until you see your baby have a fast life threatening allergic reaction it is difficult to take seriously. Please put yourself in that parent's shoes. Or that child's shoes. This Halloween, I offered generous handfuls of food treats (chocolate) and put out a teal pumpkin to signal that I also had non-food treats. There is no harm in being inclusive. There is harm in an attitude dismissive of a life threatening allergy that affects children.
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  5 replies
I'm saddened at these attitudes of refusing to accommodate. Perhaps we should let smoking back in restaurants as well. Of course, it is an individual choice as to whether you decide to be inclusive on Halloween for the growing number of anaphylactic children. You can also choose to ignore the poster. It was a suggestion, and I don't see how it is so offensive. On the other hand, a child not being able to participate in Halloween is sad.

Between the poster and the deadly substance being handed out to children, I see the poster as the lesser evil.
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  2 replies
The way I see it is that "beggars can't be choosers." Most community sponsored Halloween events hand out candy that is safe for all kids. Parents of allergic kids should go there instead of demanding specific candy to be given out by their neighbors. I typically don't like the candies that are allergy safe and I'm not going to buy a bag of candy that I wouldn't eat after Halloween is over. These demanding parents are probably the reason why most house lights were turned off in my neighborhood this year. It's just easier to not participate than to make anyone upset, but eventually it will be the death of Halloween.
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That's fair. Thanks Miss Cellania. I think there is sense/merit in the sentiment that the parent is responsible for protecting and educating the child first and foremost - and to not feeling entitled. Second, I believe it is good to lead by example and offer non-food treats if you are so inclined - and with the hope that it catches on.
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What about suggesting that the parents of those children with allergies buy alternatives themselves and switch out the candy their kids bring home that they can't eat with candy they can eat? I mean, if those parent are out trick or treating with their kids, they aren't having to shell out money to buy stuff to give out like everyone else! Let's be fair!
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I'm just saying you could offer both, as I did this year. Normal candy and non-food treats (like bouncy balls, glow sticks, stickers, mini yoyos etc.). It's totally a choice. As a mom of a kid with severe allergies, I was still very grateful for all the treats, and the whole fun of trick-or-treating - and when she gets older I'll trade her with things she can have (so nut candy will be like currency). In no way should people be forced to accommodate, I just think it's nice to accommodate if you can! If one in every 15 houses had a non-food treat as a substitute, wouldn't that be a fun surprise. The idea is to make it fun for as many kids as you can.
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