Lynda Loveland: Hallo-mean played out!

By Lynda Loveland

Posted: November 1, 2012

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I threatened the kids with taking away trick-or-treating if they didn’t shape up. Consider the threat, carried out!

One out of the three was high on sugar Halloween night while the other two were high on sour grapes!

Five-year-old Carys was the lone Loveland soliciting for sweets. Campbell was totally bummed and Caiden rode an emotional roller coaster. One minute he didn't care because trick-or-treating was stupid, the next he was angry and the next he was super sweet and sorry.

I took Carys to the neighbors to make the rounds and when I came back, my two Halloweenies seemed to have accepted their punishment. Caiden was being especially good. I was impressed by his new attitude. Cam was up in her room.

The doorbell started ringing and didn't stop for about 15 minutes. When I came up for air, Caiden was playing basketball in the driveway but Cam was nowhere to be found.

A few minutes later we get a knock at the door. There stood a lone wolfman who said in a gruff voice, "trick or treat"! One look at those neon aqua and orange indoor soccer shoes and we knew we had our missing person. We said "trick" and pulled her and her bag of candy inside! She'd snuck out in her costume, borrowed a bag from our neighbor and went out collecting candy!

I'm stunned at what she did. We don't even know yet how we're going to punish her.

Do you have a good Halloween story?

Lynda is the mom of three and co-host of Mix 101.5 WRAL-FM's Bill & Lynda in the Morning. Find her here on Thursdays. Click here to like her on Facebook.

36 Comments

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I would let her know how she has deemed herself now untrustworthy and that a greater consequence will now follow; imagine how she will try to sneak out of the house when she is 16 if you don't "deal" with it now! :(

ellenfriend
November 1, 2012 8:29 a.m.

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Her consequences need to be punitive enough so she "gets it". ( I wouldn't take away christmas, as that is a "family" holiday. Maybe limiting gift options.) I'm assuming you took her candy away and either tossed, or took it to work, etc. A few yrs ago, I told my kids that you are allowed 2-3 small pieces of candy per day. Soon after I found extra wrappers in their rooms. Final warning...And after one more snitch, every piece of candy was out of the house. Nada. They learned and still remember.

John Rosemond once said that if the behavior is a repeat offense, there should be no more warnings, and just consequences. It makes sense.

Best wishes Linda. Parenting is definitely "tough love".

missparrothead
November 1, 2012 8:44 a.m.

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You have to admit that is funny and clever! The better punishment would have been to let them trick-or-treat and then take all of their candy and give it to the food bank!

native2NC
November 1, 2012 8:48 a.m.

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You need to have a serious talk with her now and punish her not for a day or two but give her something to remember. Explain the danger and how disrespectful it was. If you do not nip it now just imagine when she is older..Good Luck with that one and keep us updated..

Twittyfan
November 1, 2012 9:04 a.m.

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I agree that your response needs to be swift and strong on this one. Not only did she blow off a punishment, but she showed blatant disrespect and defiance in going behind your back. Bring the hammer down.

Killian
November 1, 2012 10:04 a.m.

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She put on her costume and snuck out to go trick or treating, but ended up ringing the doorbell at her OWN house? Sounds as if she was trying to get attention.

ashcash21
November 1, 2012 10:15 a.m.

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Wow- She snuck out and couldn't think of a way back in! Please express how dangerous it is for her to be out there by herself! taht's the first thing that pops in my head! You know how many kids get missing! That's scary!!! Also - she did blow off your punishment so I would exdtend it and say - no fun stuff for a while and no sharing of her brothers candy either.....

gmhfay
November 1, 2012 10:30 a.m.

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another lynda story with drama attached, i can't believe it?????

wmb95013
November 1, 2012 10:52 a.m.

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I wonder how many of us would have liked it as children to have so much of our lives on public display?

jonnraleigh
November 1, 2012 11:55 a.m.

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I know how frustrating it can be at times having raised two equally determined children. While I applaud you as parents for following through, please consider the punishment and the crime. Halloween is a huge deal to most children and from what I read their misbehavior sounded like typical brother/sister/kid stuff. Stopping them from participating seemed like it didn't fit their crimes. One tactic does not always work the same with one as it does with another. While you don't want to hear it now, her determination will serve her well one day. You just have to get her there safely! Please figure out what will really hit home with her so that she never does that again.

ncs2393
November 1, 2012 12:03 p.m.

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Lynda Loveland: Hallo-mean played out!

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