As a working mom, you surely have a jam-packed schedule. And making Halloween preparations when you have no time to shop, decorate or plan can definitely cause anxiety and stress. The good news is that we are a few weeks away from Halloween, so there is still time to make this a fun and exciting family event without becoming overwhelmed. You just need to be strategic about how to best utilize your time, and follow the tips laid out below to simplify Halloween preparations.
1. Order Costumes Online.
One of the most daunting tasks associated with Halloween is finding costumes for your kids. You have to find one that not only pleases your fickle child, but doesn’t cost a fortune, fits them, and, if purchased online, doesn’t take too long to arrive. When you shop for costumes online, you will likely find greater variety and possibly better prices. You will also save time, and can avoid any tantrums that could result from taking your child to a store to purchase the costume. When you buy online, make sure you place your order sufficiently in advance to ensure the costume will arrive before Halloween. It helps if you order the costume through an online store that offers expedited shipping. You should also make sure that all items you order are available for immediate shipping, and confirm the estimated delivery dates.
2. Make Decorating Simple.
Decorating for Halloween can be a great opportunity to bond with your kids. If you have the time, you can craft home-made decorations with the kids. But if your busy schedule doesn’t leave time for arts and crafts, then consider ordering decorations online, and follow the tips we mentioned above to ensure your order arrives on time.
If you manage to find time to make decorations with your kids, then keep it simple. You can make “scary ghosts” by simply taping black circles made from construction paper to white balloons. Stretched out cotton over your normal decor can double as cobwebs. You can cut out scary words from construction paper and attach them with tape around your house. If your kids want to make jack-o-lanterns, consider drawing or painting the pumpkins, instead of carving them. Painting takes less time and is not as messy as carving. Also, your kids won’t need to use carving tools that can be dangerous. The point is to keep it simple, and make or buy decorations that are easy to remove or clean up the following day.
3. Enjoy Halloween-Themed Entertainment.
A simple and inexpensive way to have fun with your kids on Halloween is to watch Halloween-themed movies or TV shows. You will find tons of these movies readily available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or other “on demand” services. You can grab Halloween-decorated cookies or cupcakes at the bakery section of most supermarkets to complement the spooky ambiance. The best part is that watching a Halloween-themed movie or show with your family can be fun, yet it doesn’t require any preparations or cleanup, so it is a perfect way for a busy mom to entertain her kids.
4. Buy Candy and Other Treats in Advance.
Try to buy your Halloween treats at the same time you do your regular grocery shopping. This way you can avoid wasting time by having to make a specific trip to the supermarket to buy Halloween candies and treats. Think about whether you need to buy any Halloween-themed disposable plates, napkins, cups or other utensils, either for your home, or for your kids to take to school for their class Halloween party. If you need these, you can also save time by purchasing them whenever you are doing your regular grocery shopping.
5. Enlist Help.
Consider whether your spouse, partner, friend(s) or family member(s) can come to your house the afternoon of Halloween day to help. Even before you get home from work, your family members can be there helping to put up decorations, placing the candy that you will be handing out into Halloween themed containers, and helping your kids get dressed and ready for trick or treating. They can also make sure your kids wrap up their homework as soon as they get home from school (this year there will be school the next day). Your friends and family can also help you take down any decorations and clean up at the end of the night. Having your spouse or family members chip in and help can definitely reduce any Halloween related stress.
6. Team Up With Other Working Moms.
Simplify Halloween by teaming up with a neighbor, friend or relative who is also a working mom and splitting up the work. One of you can get the candy and treats, while the other buys the decorations. Gather at one of the houses and work together to decorate and get the kids ready. The kids will surely enjoy trick or treating with friends, and splitting up the work will surely simplify things for you.
7. Monitor Your Kids’ Sugar Intake.
Try to limit the pieces of candy that your kids eat on Halloween night. Too much sugar can make them over-active, and can also keep them up beyond their normal bedtime. As mentioned before, Halloween falls on a school night this year, and staying up too late will be disruptive to their routine, and yours.
A Final Thought… Safety First.
Check all of the candy collected by your kids to make sure it is safe for them to eat. You can consider swapping out the candy they collected with candy you previously purchased and kept hidden away. That way you are certain that the candy your kids are eating is safe.
Also, consider taking pictures of your kids, with and without their masks, prior to leaving the home. That way if the kids get lost in a crowd, you will have recent pictures of them in their costumes readily available to show to people who can help you find them. Check out the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Halloween Health and Safety tips here.
We hope these tips will help simplify Halloween for the working mom. There are still a few weeks to get ready for this eventful day. Be practical and plan ahead. We hope you all have a scary good time!