Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

[Rockgirl]

I keep it low-key, because I really don't want parents for the reasons mentioned. We had pizza for lunch, then during nap, I decorated my dining area, and we had cupcakes and a little candy. We played outside most of the afternoon because: cupcakes and candy.

[midaycare]

I used to get stressed out on halloween parties, but not so much any more.

I set up 10 discovery stations and the kids roam about. they are all halloween theme. I had a few games, but we don't lead the games, we let the kids play with them how they want. We even had a paint the parents photo booth and that was a huge hit.

It's super stress free and I just have to do what I always do, manage behavior.

I really love this idea

[finsup]

I guess I should be thankful my daycare parents had zero interest in coming to ours?! Lol. Im just glad its over. I love holidays and Halloween is fun but man I'm exhausted. And so tired of Halloween music. And the skeletons that keep multiplying thanks to my in laws. Yup bring on Thanksgiving and Christmas!

[Mom2Two]

I had kids come in costumes but I had them take them off. The one piece Spiderman costume would make it hard for dcb to go to the bathroom, and he keeps having accidents anyway. Dcg in the Marie Antoinette dress made me nervous--I felt like she was going to get it messed up.

My daycare kids are mostly part-time anyway, so I don't really go to big trouble for holidays. They are rarely all here at the same time anyway.

We did have some pumpkins and candy, but that's all.

[Josiegirl]

I haven't done costumes in a couple of years and that's been a sanity saver for me. This year, I had dcps come about 3ish on Friday, set out a couple activities for the dcks, parents could join in or chat, then we ate dinner at 5, and they left at 6-7. Looking back, the whole thing was a lot easier to handle than putting on a Halloween party by myself.
And for Christmas, I'm basically doing the same thing, setting out a table of munchies(some healthy, some not) and punch. Having a book swap among dcks, and Santa will make an appearance. I'll have parents arrive around 3ish, they can leave when they want....
Now to conquer that obsessive over worrying anticipation I get beforehand.

I think having the parents here makes it a bit easier for me and more of a party for the kiddos. As long as THEY watch their kids.

[Josiegirl]

OP, my parties always went like that too and sometimes the parents would want to stop in to take pics. I hated that. It always seemed like a day of chaos until I looked at what constitutes a party in the children's eyes. For us, it was treats, music and dancing, a little bit of out of the ordinary craziness and balloons. So that's what I focused on.

[bklsmum]

Our "parties" are just the kids wearing their PJ's, a special movie, a couple treats and possibly a themed craft. Simple and easy and no extra stress!

[midaycare]

I'm going to adjust my parties so that they are not parties anymore. I only throw 2 a year, but they aren't appreciated and the kids only really want their goody bags. They don't care about the games. They make their own.

[Snowmom]

I had kids come in costumes but I had them take them off. The one piece Spiderman costume would make it hard for dcb to go to the bathroom, and he keeps having accidents anyway. Dcg in the Marie Antoinette dress made me nervous--I felt like she was going to get it messed up.

My daycare kids are mostly part-time anyway, so I don't really go to big trouble for holidays. They are rarely all here at the same time anyway.

We did have some pumpkins and candy, but that's all.

Marie Antoinette for a child?
Wow.

[Alwaysgreener]

Once again, the perk of being an under 2 daycare.... they have no idea halloween exists.

Me too

I so totally get JENBOO... my kids are 18 months or younger; the craziest we get is a couple of kids come inHalloween colored clothes and they get a glow stick at pick up time... all but one little is being taken TOT tonight

Glow sticks, smart.

I'm going to adjust my parties so that they are not parties anymore. I only throw 2 a year, but they aren't appreciated and the kids only really want their goody bags. They don't care about the games. They make their own.

I think the key word is PARTY. Remove that word and it will change the way the parent treats it.

[cassiesue]

Sorry your party didn't go as well. I hate when parents want to come to parties. Seems to get the kids riled up.

I love Halloween. I like for my 5-year-old to participate in as many activities as possible. That means a lot of activities and field trips for my dcks. We had 3 last week. As far as costumes, since all 3 field trips were related to Halloween and were places the kids were kind of expected to come dressed accordingly, I asked parents to send the dcks' costumes and that I would just get them ready myself. On Friday the kids were allowed to wear their costumes all day. The only costumes type that was banned this year was clowns.

[Blackcat31]

I'm just so over parties. Wishing I was bc today, who doesn't work on Oct 31st.

BEST decision ever!!!

I hate Halloween as it relates to expectations for daycare providers.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I am kinda late to the party
I don't do "parties". We have done Halloween themed things for the past week. Monday I did let them play with spiders in orange kenetic sand.
I have not done costumes... ever.
One thing I do on occasion is a color day. So if you wanted to do something fun for Halloween next year what about making it Orange Day! They may wear something orange. Only play with orange clothes, color with orange crayons, cut orange paper, orange playdoh, orange food (cheddar cheese, tint some rice orange, squash, and oranges. It would change up the day. It is fun but more low keyed than costumes and Halloween. I was going to do that this year but well- life has happened over the past week and it just didn't.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

and TOT here in on Saturday night so I don't have the same issues. One dcg though has had candy for breakfast 2 days in a row on her way here and she has arrived after my breakfast time. She has eaten lunch well