Trick or treating manners

Michelle - posted on 10/31/2011 ( 17 moms have responded )

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So when I was a kid we were taught only to trick or treat at houses with the porch lights on. This was so the elderly, disabled, or otherwise not home people were not bothered. Tonight we were a little late getting back to the house and there were masses of children ringing the doorbell as we pulled up (the lights were off). At that point I'm trying to wade through the sea of children with my own toddlers and a baby to get into the house. They stood there staring through the door while I was fumbling to get the candy out (while my baby is screaming at the top of her lungs because she wants to nurse) and gave them candy and sent them on their way. I gave out candy to 150 kids over the next 1 1/2 - 2 hours, then ran out. I turned off the porch lights and most of the downstairs lights and herded my way over stimulated toddlers into the bath tub. The doorbell is still ringing. There were kids that came to my door for more then a half an hour afterwards even though the lights were out out (and I had no candy). I spent so much time dealing with this that my kids ended up in bed an hour late and we have to get up early tomorrow. I think what really gets to me is at least half of the kids that came when the light was off had a parent with them (who could have said hey the lights out we can't go there). Am I the only person that was taught to only go to houses where the porch light is on?

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17 Comments

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♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/02/2011

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Exactly Leeann, that's how the tract was behind my friend's townhome complex. Plus it started to snow.

This year was pitiful, but Abby obeyed the no light rule. Luckily we're going to my MIL's this weekend and she saved Abby some candy.

Our landlady decorated the lobby of her apartment building and the kids got a slice of cake and some candies and chips from her. That was nice. I can't wait to have a house to decorate though for Halloween and Christmas. But DH and I will have to decide who takes the kids out and who hands out the candy because it's fun for both of us to go out and to scare people.

Johnny - posted on 11/02/2011

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Wow. I thought everyone knew about the "no lights on" thing. We ran out of candy around 8 pm, turned off our lights and blew out our pumpkins. No one knocked or rang our doorbell after. And there were still plenty of kids running around. I didn't hand out candy this year, hubby did, while I took our daughter out. I'm a stickler for her not knocking on doors that are dark or have no decorations. Also, for wishing people a Happy Halloween and saying thank you. I noticed most kids were very polite, although we were out earlier with the younger ones who had more parental supervision. We went to a little Halloween party after with kids of all ages and they were all pretty respectful as well. Even with no parents there. We live in an area that is mostly townhouses, so it's easy for the kids to get a lot of candy pretty quick. I'd say at least 60% of the houses were decorated and handing out candy.

Leeann - posted on 11/02/2011

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I understand that @Meggy we live out in a rural county where even the suburbs are rural w/ ridiculously long drives. sometimes w/ the little one acceptions must be made! Lol :)

Leeann - posted on 11/02/2011

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No your no alone. It aggravates me that people do that! Me and the hubbs and kiddos went trick-or-treating w/ my sis, lil bro his fiance a cousin and (fingers crossed) soon to be BIL. the kids didnt understand why we couldnt stop at all the houses. My BIL said "no because they dont have the porch lights on" its a respect thing and some people seem lacking.

Katherine - posted on 11/02/2011

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Exactly!!!

America3437 - posted on 11/02/2011

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no light ,no knock!

Katherine - posted on 11/02/2011

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When I had my new born I had the lights off and so many trick or treaters came to the house even though my lights were off. I yelled at one of the parents. I just blew. My daughter was one month old.

Angela - posted on 11/01/2011

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Rules as a kid,
porch light on, yes not on no
never walk on lawns

♥♪Megan♫♥ - posted on 11/01/2011

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That sucks. My DH has a saying "light's on game's on" We don't ring at homes where lights are off.

I try not to let my kid walk on lawns too. But last year we were trick or treating at a housing track with no sidewalks and the driveways were insanely long. So I make exceptions.

Jurnee - posted on 11/01/2011

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I am the same way Jenni, I dont walk on the lawns if there is a driveway or path.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 11/01/2011

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I am the same way about lawns. BUT around here, driveways do not leave a path for the front door....a lot of homes you have to walk across the lawn...kinda weird.

Michelle - posted on 11/01/2011

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Now that you mention it we had quite a few that just walked across our lawn and once I caught some boys wrestling (and cussing) on ours. But I was taught not to walk on lawns too.

Jenni - posted on 11/01/2011

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Yes, definitely. The porch light off is a sign that the person is not handing out candy and shouldn't be disturbed. Growing up we rarely came across this though. We always lived in newer subdivisions and "family" neighbourhoods. So 99% of houses handed out candy but I still knew this rule.



The other one I noticed... is this weird?

I was always taught to not walk across people's lawns. I don't do this under any circumstance. I was quite a stickler last night for my children doing the same. We walk up and down the driveway to the next driveway or footpath. I noticed a lot of kids just running across people's lawns. Even straight through their gardens. Am I the only one who does this?

~♥Little Miss - posted on 11/01/2011

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That is weird Michelle. I thought everyone knew, when the lights are out, no one is home to hand out candy.

Carolee - posted on 10/31/2011

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Laura, the same thing happened to us tonight, too (minus the yelling people). We help Corbin tell the difference between the coach lights (one on each side of the garage, which are automatic) and the porch light (separate and controllable) being on. Some people who weren't home or didn't want TOTers actually put up signs on their doors that they didn't have candy.

Michelle - posted on 10/31/2011

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Haven't had to deal with that one yet. I'm pretty sure because of the sheer amount of kids tha come through my neighborhood it would be horrible for everyone involved if someone did that. If you have your porch light on you are open to tricker treaters.

Jurnee - posted on 10/31/2011

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I never go to unlit houses. I dont know why anyone would. What irked me tonight were a few houses that were lit and decorated, we rang the bell, you could see the people home and they werent giving out candy. Happened to me last year too, lights on , decorations, screen door and the man inside actually yelled when we rang the bell.