Do you have any rules on what your children are for Halloween?

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Or, are you an "anything goes" mom?!

At my house, we can have friendly costumes only. While the kids and dh and I all know that it is just for fun dress up, we have been in many churches that frown on things like dressing up as witches, goblins, etc. So, we just decided to stick with friendly costumes that won't scare other little children or go against our religious beliefs. (This year we have Spider Man, a Giant Baby, a kitty cat, and Blue from Blue's Clues!)
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It's funny you posted this, because just this week we went through this with ds! He found a demon skull mask he wanted to wear, and he thought it wasn't very scary looking. We said absolutely not!!! It caused quite a discussion, because we've always been the friendly costume type family too, but he is 11 this year and going to a halloween party at a friend's house and this is what he wanted to wear. I don't know what the boys will be this year, but I do know one costume that will not be worn at our house!
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We only have friendly costumes, too, but it is easy with a 6, 4 and 2 year old. We have a Green Power Ranger, Spiderman and Superman. (My dd is going as Superman because I figure I have the costume and she will look cute in it. I have gotten my $20 worth out of it. My oldest used it two years, my middle son used it a year, a friend's son used it a year and now dd!)

No witches, goblins, ghosts or any of that in our house. We stay away from houses that look like they are going to scare you, too.
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I say pretty much anything goes, though the scariest thing anyone has ever been is a witch, and they are more cute than scary. I suppose if there was something I found offense, I would veto it.
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I'm pretty laid back in this department. My dd doesn't like scary things, so the scary costume issue is a moot point with us. My dd has only done friendly, happy costumes in the past. This year she wants to be a witch, but she told me she is going to be a good witch.

I would put my foot down on anything gory, tacky, or sexually suggestive.

Believe it or not, I had one young girl (about 11 or 12) show up at my house dressed as Dolly Parton, complete with well-endowed you-know-whats. I thought that was a little tacky for someone so young.
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After I posted, my oldest son (6 1/2) went to a birthday/Halloween party yesterday. There was a little girl (age 6-7) who was dressed as, well, I am not sure what. I would describe it as slutty pirate maybe? She had fishnet stockings and a fishnet type shirt, her shirt was sort of hanging off her shoulder with a tight white shirt underneath so she was covered (not there was anything to cover on a 7 year old, but you know what I man). It came up about 2 inches above her bellybutton so her mid section was exposed. And she wore tons of makeup - lipstick, eyeshadow, blush, the works!! I was sort of horrified! This was a little girl, it turned out, from ds's first grade class. This would have been a bit questionable for an adult at this type of party. Maybe for a nighttime, adult only party, but I kept thinking, "What is this mother thinking???"

I must be a total prude or something. The other kids were Spidermen, Little Mermaid, Princesses, Power Rangers, Ninjas, etc.
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Originally Posted by Claire After I posted, my oldest son (6 1/2) went to a birthday/Halloween party yesterday. There was a little girl (age 6-7) who was dressed as, well, I am not sure what. I would describe it as slutty pirate maybe? She had fishnet stockings and a fishnet type shirt, her shirt was sort of hanging off her shoulder with a tight white shirt underneath so she was covered (not there was anything to cover on a 7 year old, but you know what I man). It came up about 2 inches above her bellybutton so her mid section was exposed. And she wore tons of makeup - lipstick, eyeshadow, blush, the works!! I was sort of horrified! This was a little girl, it turned out, from ds's first grade class. This would have been a bit questionable for an adult at this type of party. Maybe for a nighttime, adult only party, but I kept thinking, "What is this mother thinking???"
Oh, I know what she was supposed to be. She was dressed as a Bratz doll! LOL
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I'm fairly laid back. Ghosts and witches are allowed. A witch is the worst we've had here. My son was a pirate last year also. This year I have a chef, princess, thomas the train and blue's clues. Luckily I've not had anyone want to be anything real scary or gory. Me and my dh always have veto power.
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We've never run into a problem with my guys, I have two boys, so maybe that's part of it? They want to be things like a wizard, an army guy, a cowboy, a lego etc

If I had a girl, I'd definately draw the line at anything suggestive. I imagine it's a battle. My sister has three girls and sometimes I have a hard time finding cute clothes for them that aren't those tiny short shirts or skirts etc It's a little disturbing.
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DD is a witch this year and that's as scary as we go.....for now. When Dd was about 1, my SS (was 6 at the time) came over in this awful, bloody, mask thing that his Mother thought was fine for a 6 year old. DD screamed her head off for hours, even after he took the mask off, DH had to bring SS home to calm her down. (His mom was mad, but serves her right thinking this was an okay choice for a 6 year old! ) BTW...that mask gave SS nightmares for the next week or so after Halloween, another reason I don't think they're appropriate for little kids.
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