Spooky and Special

I don't know about you, but as a holiday is approaching, super stress sets in. All the things that could go wrong go running through my head at rapid rates. So when the day arrives, it's anxiety city! I end up feeling out of control, causing my controlling self to take over. Which usually results in yelling and arguments and me pissed off by the middle of the night.

Our Witchy Nana and the kids.

This Halloween, I didn't want to end up being the crazy mom, dressed up or not. I wanted to enjoy the kids, the time, and the treats. So I put my boundaries in check and made sure to plan with them in mind. What a difference! It was a mainly stress-free night. I do live with anxiety, so I couldn't escape the thoughts of "is the crowd too big" or "are they too close to the kids."

We decided to go out early this year because we wanted to miss as much of the crowds as possible. Last year we didn't go out because of COVID, and even though I was nervous this year, I knew we had to do it. There were only a few families out when we started, and the crowds weren't too bad, but by the time we began to head home.

Because we didn't go out last year, this was the first actual year Trick or Treating for the baby, and boy, was he into it! He was not a fan of the scary costumes or decorations, but he knew where to get the candy. By the middle of the night, he was saying "Twick or Tweat" and demanding we let go of his hand so he could go up to the baskets himself.

When we got home, we relaxed with dinner and a movie. My husband and I ended up on the front porch, sipping hot cider, handing out candy, and thoroughly enjoying the night. As I sat there listening to the laughter coming from my living room, I was so grateful I had respected my boundaries, didn't worry about timing, and took the kids out. They got treats, and I got an exceptional evening with my family.