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22 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • October 2023 SPLIT INTO AGE GROUPS WEAR A BACKPACK INVEST IN WARM AND DRY Your evening could end prematurely if there is a sudden wind- storm or rain shower. If your kids have on enough layers of tights and long underwear underneath their costumes, they won't falter even if they get a little wet. And if you are walking with a young child or children, bring a large umbrella, and keep a couple of com- pact umbrellas in your pack for older kids who will say they won't need them, but then might. Maybe it seems extreme to gear up as though you are going for an overnight hike just to walk a few blocks around the neighborhood. But the weather is fickle this time of year, and once you grab every- thing you need for a pleasant evening, you will be amazed by how much stuff you have to tote. And don't be surprised if your kids shed pieces of their costumes as the excitement heats up. A shoul- der bag may feel fine for the first fifteen minutes of the night, but after two-hours, you will likely wish you had brought the backpack. Have one parent take one age group and the other parent take the other age group. Tweens like to run in packs and they move fast, so wear sneakers and layers you can lose, if you plan on keeping up with them. Toddlers and preschoolers may dawdle or tire quickly, so choose the more patient parent to accompany them. Or consider taking two shifts, one earlier in the evening for younger kids and another later in the evening for older kids, trading off who stays home to hand out candy. WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA KATZ ing Tips For More Magic & Fewer Meltdowns Parents Blisters abound, sugar levels soar, dehydration ensues, and next thing you know, what started as a fun, festive night feels more like a ghoulish nightmare. The uncomfortable truth is that Halloween costumes are often flimsy and lack the insu- lation needed to stave off a brisk autumn chill. Kids' candy bags can quickly become over-stuffed to the point of creating a cascade of candy—and tears—as the evening wears on. Before you turn into a witch or a warlock, parents, remember, the key to enjoying All Hallows' Eve is as simple as rallying the troops in advance, going over your expectations, and getting prepared for anything that might go amiss. Here are some tips from a mom who has literally been around the block a few times: