This post is sponsored by Red Baron but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
I have a confession to make – Halloween is not one of my favorite holidays.
Growing up, it always just seemed like a lot of work, and my favorite part was passing out the candy – because then I could take the good stuff for myself (I mean, why would I give away all those peanut butter cups?). My girls, however, LOVE Halloween. They get that from my mother-in-law, who has made Abbie’s (and now Ella’s) costumes for the past few years. Until she finishes, Abbie has been practicing daily with all her dress up clothes. Lately, it’s been Aurora every day, but last Halloween, she was Queen Elsa.
The thing is, Halloween is a daunting thing when you work full-time and it happens to fall on a weeknight. This year Halloween falls on a Wednesday – smack in the middle of the workweek. Combine that with a long commute and tired parents, and it can be a recipe for disaster. If you’re like me, rushing home to take your kids running around your neighborhood for candy is hard to pull off after a long workday.
So what’s a parent to do? Well, I do everything I can to make it easier, because sometimes that’s all you can do. My top Halloween tips for working parents make things easier – and keep the fun in the holiday.
- Outsource your costumes. As I mentioned above, I’m lucky enough to have a talented mother-in-law that loves Halloween. If you don’t? Do not be afraid of buying costumes. This is not the time to be a Pinterest mom and make everything from scratch – you’ll only make yourself crazy that way. Your kid wants to be a dinosaur? Do not waste your time making a cardboard dinosaur head. Go buy that at the store or online and call it a day. Your kid is convinced they can make their costume himself? Let him at it – and let him know it’s all on him (and maybe buy a backup costume). Don’t’ be afraid to buy that costume, and to keep it simple. Time is a precious commodity for all parents, but especially working parents.
- Make Dinner Easy. No one wants to go trick or treating hungry, and no one has the time to make a big meal from scratch and still have time to go out. This is where I’m so glad Red Baron pizza is a staple in my house. Not only do my kids love pizza, but it’s quick and easy to make, tastes great, and has flavors for both my kids and their tired parents! I love grabbing them for busy nights like Halloween – it’s such an affordable way to get dinner on the table quickly (the last time I grabbed Red Baron pizzas they were less than $5 each!). Abbie and Elle prefer cheese, while Chris and I typically go for all the toppings! Make sure you grab one for your Halloween too – just head here to find out where you can buy them!
- Have a plan for Trick-or-Treat. Maybe you have a great neighborhood that is well-lit and not too big. Maybe you go to a friend’s neighborhood or a church Trunk or Treat. We actually opt to head to the local mall for our Trick or Treat – it’s clean, well-lit, weatherproof, and safe. It’s been such a lifesaver for us and we plan to do it every year. Plus, you can get a treat for yourself at the end of it!
What do you do for Halloween? Any tips that aren’t on my list? Make sure you pin the image below to save this for later!
