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Allergy Parent Takes Neighborhood to Task Over Halloween Treats
As awareness grows around food allergies, especially during holidays like Halloween, many families are striving to create inclusive experiences for all kids. Movements like the Teal Pumpkin Project highlight the importance of offering non-food treats or allergen-free options, making the holiday more enjoyable for everyone.
However, one parent in a Connecticut neighborhood has taken an extreme stance, publicly admonishing their neighbors for their candy choices this Halloween. They plastered signs around the community stating: “THIS HALLOWEEN, PRACTICE RESPONSIBLE PARENTING AND DO NOT DISTRIBUTE CANDY CONTAINING NUTS, GLUTEN, OR DAIRY.”
Newsflash, neighbor: demanding compliance isn’t the best way to communicate. People generally don’t respond well to being told what to do, especially when they’ve just spent a good amount of money on treats for trick-or-treaters. And by the way, using all caps? That’s like yelling.
The parent’s suggested alternatives to traditional candy are a bit puzzling: carrot sticks, Smarties, Necco Wafers, Life Savers, Brach’s Lemon Drops, and raisins (but, heaven forbid, not Raisinettes!). I can’t help but wonder how well that carrot stick experiment would go over with the kids. Spoiler alert: it probably won’t end well.
While it’s true that nearly 10% of children have food allergies, a more positive approach would’ve been to share a list of safe candy options, rather than resorting to public shaming. A friendly reminder like, “Hey, just a heads up! Here’s a list of gluten, nut, and dairy-free candy options!” would likely have gone over much better.
Let’s all keep in mind that we want every child to enjoy Halloween—just maybe not with a side of guilt.
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Summary
A Connecticut parent has sparked controversy by publicly shaming their neighbors for Halloween candy choices, urging them to avoid allergenic treats. While advocating for children with allergies is important, a more constructive approach would foster inclusivity without the need for public admonishment.