toward whatever it is they are scared of so that they can learn for
themselves: ‘I am strong enough to handle this.’”
Bettencourt wants parents to remember that kids aren’t getting
anxious on purpose or to ruin things. “We really want to avoid
shaming them for feeling upset or getting angry with them for feeling
upset or being like, ‘Don’t worry about it.’ All of these reactions
According to Bettencourt, one of the best ways parents can help kids only make the child feel badly about themselves, and they probably
overcome fears is by calmly validating their feelings and correcting discourage the child from talking with or sharing with their parent
misinformation. “A lot of times kids are scared because they have what they are worried about.”
really built up the thing in their mind,” she says.

Kennedy-Moore adds that parents should talk to their kids about
how they are in charge of their children’s safety and would not put
them in a dangerous situation.

Parents can help build excitement around Halloween by planning
When a child has anxiety over Halloween, parents may act nonthreatening ways to celebrate. Patel suggests normalizing the
unknowingly to intensify the fear. For example, trying to protect Halloween experience by reading themed books (see ideas on the
the child from everything related to the holiday. “Sometimes next page), carving silly jack-o’-lanterns and decorating your home
avoiding something you fear will only strengthen or emphasize
Trick-or-treating is still encouraged, but parents may want
that fear,” says Dr. Ami Patel, pediatrician at MedStar Georgetown to make adjustments, such as going out in daylight. Let the child
University Hospital in Washington, D.C. “While I don’t think practice wearing their costume around the house all month, and
children should be pushed into something overwhelming, it’s if their costume comes with a mask, make sure their vision is not
ideal to prepare them and have them participate in some way limited. Inviting a friend to come along is a good way to focus on the
throughout the month and holiday.” Many fall-related activities, fun aspects of trick-or-treating, and if your child sees someone in a
such as farm visits to pick pumpkins and explore corn mazes, scary costume, be empathetic while also pointing out details such
have Halloween themes.

as their wig or makeup as a way to humanize the costumed person.

On the other hand, some parents can be overly dismissive of a
Ultimately, parents need to remember that every child is unique.

child’s fear, mocking them or deliberately scaring them. “That is “Comparisons are not helpful: ‘Well, your cousin likes this.’ OK,
not kind, and it is not helpful,” Kennedy-Moore says. “When we good for the cousin,” Kennedy-Moore says. “We deal with the kid in
are talking about building up their tolerance, we are not talking front of us, and if this particular child at this particular moment is
about surprising them with the worst possible thing. It is baby steps scared, then we gently help them move forward from that.” n
put on a Halloween mask and snap a picture while
wearing it, then practice putting the mask on and
taking it off to get used to the concept.

Keep calm and communicate
Best Restaurant!
WINNE R
PayYourNanny.com Come see why
we won
Best Restaurant!
WINNE R
A neighborhood Italian restaurant using the freshest ingredients, serving our guests with “out of this world” hospitality
www.gregoriostrattoria.com POTOMAC
7745 Tuckerman Lane
301-296-6168 n n
F i D
Come see why
we won
BETHESDA 4611-A Sangamore Rd
301-347-6830 14 Washington FAMILY OCTOBER 2021
RESTON 1428 N. Point | Village Ctr
703-689-4894 FUN F THINGS
i DMV TO D DO
IN THE
FUN THINGS TO DO
IN THE DMV
We’re here to help families
Payyournanny.com provides payroll
and tax compliance services
to household employers
(703) 819-9796
byudd@payyournanny.com payyournanny.com
(703) 819-9796
(703) 819-9796
washingtonfamily.com washingtonfamily.com
ANNARKI / DIGITALVISION VECTORS
Approach Halloween positively



5
ONGOING REGISTRATION
Helpful Halloween
Books for Kids
TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT OUTSIDE APPEARANCES,
DISGUISES AND COSTUMES WITH THE FOLLOWING
HALLOWEEN-THEMED TALES.

“Go Away, Big Green Monster!”
by Ed Emberley
This classic interactive book has been helping
children come to terms with their bedtime
fears for more than 25 years. The storyline
supports the idea that our imagination can
make up things to scare us, but we have the power to eliminate
these fears. As your child encounters each part of the big green
monster, he or she can shout “go away” to each part.

“Hoot Owl: Master of Disguise”
by Sean Taylor; illustrated by Jean Jullien
In this book, an owl on the hunt for food dresses
up in different disguises to fool its prey. Parents
can use the book to teach little ones about
how animals, objects or people may look like one thing on the
outside—an owl dressed up like a carrot or a sheep—but inside
they haven’t changed form.

s s u
u z z u
u k
k i i a
a n
t t r
n d
d r a
a d
d i i t t i
i o
o n
n a
m a l l
m e e t
t h
h o
o d
d s s
“Humbug Witch”
written and illustrated by Lorna Balian
The story starts by introducing readers to all parts
of a witch (her warty nose and her tall, pointed
hat), but it goes on to point out all the things this
witch can’t do. What’s a witch who can’t make potions or fly on a
broom? When is a witch not a witch? At the end, readers find out
that the witch is only a little girl wearing a witch costume.

“The Little Old Lady Who Was Not
Afraid of Anything”
by Linda D. Williams;
illustrated by Megan Lloyd
This story recounts the tale of a little old
woman who heads into the woods and returns home to find
different articles of clothing. She finds shoes that go “clomp,
clomp,” gloves, a hat and a “very big, very scary” pumpkin head.

As the woman discovers each piece, she tells each one that she
isn’t afraid of them. The storyline emphasizes facing your fears
and taking control of your emotions.

“What’s Pretend?”
by Harriet Ziefert
Children can learn about what’s real vs. pretend
in this clever Halloween tale. The story uses
simple words and images, with flaps that readers
can flip up to find out what’s real or not.

—Michael Vyskocil
WashingtonFAMILY.com 15