With kids with Type 1 Diabetes, Halloween can be a bit tricky. When my son was first diagnosed 7 years ago, I stressed about it also and it turned out not to be a big deal. There are challenges and concerns that come with the holiday season. In this blog post, I want to share some tips and tricks for managing Type 1 Diabetes During Halloween for a safe and fun celebration.

Firstly, it’s essential to plan ahead. This means having a conversation with your child with Type 1 Diabetes, about how to handle Trick or Treating. It’s important to set expectations and establish a plan ahead of time to avoid any surprises or difficulties. Unlike past years before your child was diagnosed, they could be carefree about it. But now, things need to be modified. One approach is to have a set amount of candy that’s allowed each day, or to exchange some of the candy for healthier alternatives like fruit, low-carb candy or snacks or toys. Keep in mind that your child may not want to swap out anything, so you could make a plan to have them enjoy 1-3 pieces a day and just cover the carbs with insulin.

There are online charts that will tell you what the carbs for candy

Here are some good ones that you can rely on (and download)

JDRF Halloween Carb Counting

Children With Diabetes Carb Counts for Common Candies

These are some lower carb (or lower sugar) candy and snacks we like

Choc Zero
SkinnyDipped
Smart Sweets
HiLo Life

Keep in mind that some “keto” candies may saw they are lower in net carbs. For Type 1 Diabetes dosage, we count total carbs, not net carbs. Look at the total carbohydrates for correct insulin dosing.

Candy Donation

Another option is to donate some of the candy to a local charity or give it away to friends and family. Most dentist or orthodontist offices do have some kind of drive and there are places that send candy to the troops. Your local facebook parenting group most likely will be aware of these drives or call your own dentist/orthodontist. Operation Gratitude, which donates to the troops, is a popular place to donate to.

Switch Witch

For those with younger kids, the Switch Witch could be a great idea. Kids “switch their Halloween candy for toys”.

Keep an Eye on Blood Sugar Levels

Another important aspect of Halloween with Type 1 Diabetes is monitoring blood sugar levels. With all the excitement and treats, it’s easy to forget to check blood sugar levels, but it’s crucial to keep track of them. If your child with Type 1 Diabetes has a continuous glucose monitor like Dexcom or Libre, you can keep an eye on it easier. If your child is MDI (gives shots when they eat), they should have their candy at one time as not to keep giving insulin shots. If they are on a insulin pump, it’s easier to have a treat here and there during the day or night.

Trick or Treating Tips

Don’t forget to bring your testing supplies and insulin with you when trick-or-treating or attending parties. It’s also helpful to be mindful of the types of candy that are being consumed. Some candies are higher in sugar, while others have a lower glycemic index. It’s important to choose wisely and be aware of the carb count of each candy. This can help you dose insulin and avoid any blood sugar spikes or crashes.

Conclusion

Finally, it’s important to remember to have fun! Halloween is a festive and enjoyable time of year, and having Type 1 Diabetes shouldn’t stop your child with Type 1 Diabetes from participating in the fun. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can enjoy the holiday and manage type 1 diabetes at the same time.

In conclusion, Halloween with Type 1 Diabetes can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. By planning ahead, monitoring blood sugar levels, being mindful of the types of candy consumed, and remembering to have fun, you can navigate the holiday with ease. With these tips and tricks, you can enjoy the festivities and still manage your diabetes effectively. Save these Tips and Tricks for Managing Type 1 Diabetes During Halloween!

I added a bunch of lower carb snacks to my Amazon Storefront.

The post Tips and Tricks for Managing Type 1 Diabetes During Halloween appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Halloween is a big holiday for our family. We love dressing up our kids in themes –  one year they all dressed up as characters from Toy Story, another year they were Star Wars characters. Several years we all dressed up as superheroes – we love to really make a big deal. Since we live in the city our neighborhood can get pretty crowded with kids and even entire families on Halloween so we have to use caution. Here are ten safety tips to think about when preparing for this fun holiday. Ten Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe this Halloween

1. Costumes: keep costumes short, especially long dresses such as ball gowns, or capes. Kids can trip on a long costume while going up the steps to ring doorbells. Be sure the costume is at least a couple of inches off the ground. Aside from tripping, the bottom of a long costume can potentially catch fire from a jack o’lantern. Be sure to get fire-resistant costumes and accessories and pay attention to home-made accessories that may catch fire, such as spray-on glitter which can be flammable because of the glue.
2. Keep accessories safe: instead of a mask, which can block vision, use face paint. Be sure swords and knives are made of soft material and give your kids a flashlight or glow stick to hold while they walk. This is also helpful to make your child be seen as they walk in a darker area.
3.  Ensure your home is safe for trick-or-treaters and their parents or grandparents: be sure to clear the path to your door and light up the way so that people don’t trip over anything.
4. Yard safety: some overly excited kids avoid the path and simply step on the grass to get to the candy as soon as possible. Remove branches, bikes, gardening tools, and large pots and store them in a safe place.
5. Now’s a good time to check your home insurance coverage just to make sure you’re covered if any accident should happen in or outside your home. Some houses in my neighborhood are so popular they have dozens upon dozens of people arriving for candy and things can get crowded and hectic.
6. Older kids: if your kids are older and plan on going on their own, be sure to provide them with a fully charged cell phone for any emergency. Remind them to always put the phone down when crossing the street.
7. Set a curfew for older kids and decide on certain routes – that way you’ll know approximately where they are. Remind your kids to walk on the sidewalk as much as possible and if there’s no sidewalk, to walk against the flow of traffic.
8. If your kids are under the age of twelve do not send them out on their own. If they resist, hire a responsible teenager that you trust to take them. If they are going in a large group of more than 4-5 be sure at least one adult is nearby at all times as kids can get hyper and rowdy, especially after eating some treats as they walk.
9. Candy: kids are kids and they’re going to want to eat a lot of candy on Halloween. It’s important to keep an eye out for what’s in their bags, check for any opened candy that needs to be tossed out and also exercise portion control.
10. Handing out goodies: to keep things healthier, you can hand out treats such as prepackaged veggie chips, pretzels, or fruit or applesauce cups. Stay away from nuts as there may be children with allergies around. You can also opt for non-edible treats, such as little toys and trinkets, small art supplies, stickers, temporary tattoos and any other tchotchkes kids like.

Have a fun and safe Halloween! What will your kids be this year?

This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine.

Take a look at some of our other Halloween related posts!

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Our trick or treating took a turn for the super fabulous this year when we were invited to attend a Halloween themed tea at the Plaza Hotel at the Palm Court. We headed to the Plaza hotel during a huge rain storm (our power went out that night). But, we braved the rain for this opportunity.

The Plaza Hotel is a spectacular building located right at the south-east corner of Central Park. The Plaza is synonymous with luxury in New York City so I knew a Trick or Treat Tea there would be an absolute treat — not a trick!

The Palm Court is an amazing place to have an iconic and fancy afternoon tea experience. The room is grand and elegant with ceilings that seem to go higher and higher. The old-world style and glamorous ambiance do not disappoint. And, what is really special about the Plaza is they always serve a kid-themed tea; so it is a great place to take a little one for a fun and special afternoon.

This Trick or Treat Tea was particularly special and we were so happy we made the trip despite the rain. My son was in heaven! The Trick or Treat Candy Cart was loaded with goodies and the little ones were able to grab whatever they wanted! The kids Halloween tea came with lots of Halloween goodies, including cotton candy bigger than my sons head. There were also substantial and wholesome tea sandwiches which made mommy happy.

Speaking of making this mommy happy, the Plaza also has a lovely gluten-free tea option. I was really impressed with the options: lots of savory sandwiches, tasty scones and a variety of sweet treats, their gluten free game is strong!

After a delightful tea, we headed down to the Eloise store to play with the other kids who were also visiting and do some shopping. A truly lovely afternoon in the city, we enjoyed ourselves immensely – despite the rain.

Thank you to The Plaza for providing a sample experience. 

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Halloween is quickly approaching! I love a tea in the city! The Plaza is posh & iconic, so when I learned I would be able to cover the annual Trick or Treat Tea at The  Plaza Hotel for The Mama Maven, I got spooker boo-per  excited! Don’t Miss: Kid-Approved Trick-or-Treat Tea at the Plaza in NYC

Spooky and kid-approved tea offerings like Tombstone Cucumber Sandwiches and Deviled Egg Salad will be served. And, the Trick or Treat Candy Cart, which I hear will be loaded with extravagant chocolate and candy will be making the rounds. With the guarantee of so many treats and so much fabulousness, it’s going to be an amazing time for adults & kids to enjoy together.

My son and I will be going in costume and I cannot wait to tell you all about it!

You can go too!

Location: The Palm Court at The Plaza
Dates: Saturday Oct 28^th – Tuesday Oct 31^st  (12pm – 5pm, last seating at 4:45pm)
Cost: $70 per person
Call: 212-546-5300 to make a reservation

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October’s here now and it will be Halloween before we know it! We just figured out that my oldest son will be a Star Wars Storm Trooper, my daughter will be a cat, and my little guy wants to be Iron Man (but won’t wear the mask). In this month’s Netflix post, we’ll share some ways to get ready. Win best dressed” on trick-or-treat night with these easy step-by-step tutorials inspired by your kids’ favorite Netflix characters.

From Simply Real Moms:

From Carrie Elle:

From OC Mom Blog:

Netflix’s spooky Stream & Stream Halloween Guide:

You’ll get your scream on with these spooky titles!

Need some more costume ideas? We love these two Netflix inspired ideas from Willow (the little gal who did Red from OITNB last year).

Haters Back Off!: Season 1 – (10/14)

Skylanders Academy: Season 1 – (10/28)

StoryBots Super Songs: Season 1 – (10/7)

Project Mc2: Season 3 – (10/14)

The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show: Season 3 (10/21)

Bottersnikes & Gumbles: Season 2 – (10/14)

So, what are you excited about streaming this month?

Disclosure: I am a Netflix Stream Team Member. I am given product, certain opportunities, and I receive a free Netflix subscription in exchange for posting about Netflix. As always, all opinions are my own. Halloween Streaming Choices and Cool Costume Ideas From Netflix

The post Halloween Cool Costume Ideas and What’s New On Netflix appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

You’ll need:

White cotton button-down shirt
Tan or khaki pants
Leather Jacket (we didn’t have this for my son, so we left it off, but this one would totally work)
Wide brimmed canvas hat (or any kind of large brimmed hat – Harrison Ford actually wore a fedora)
Braided belt (to be a whip) — only use this if you know your child will not use it to hit anyone. B is 10 and had it coiled on his beltloop
Gel eyeliner to create “fake” stubble

I printed out a picture of a Indiana Jones novel off Amazon and sent him to school. Next time we’ll make sure we have the leather jacket.

And we had Queen Elsa! I had to trim her train because it was really too long. After 10 months, this costume is getting a little too beat up, so I ordered my daughter another Elsa dress. We put a copy of “Frozen Fever” in her backpack. I had picked up a foam crown at Michael’s last month and I put her hair up in pigtails (her hair is too short for an “Elsa side braid”. Although she keeps hoping it will be long soon. I’ll admit I tried to gently convince her to go with Anna from Frozen or another character, her mind was set on Elsa.

and our little astronaut wore his new astronaut costume and brought his new Lost My Name Book with him. We got our copy this week and he is just in love with the book. Read our post on Lost My Name here.

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Are you a Curious George fan? How could not love that adorable monkey! CURIOUS GEORGE: A Halloween Boo Fest kicks off Curious George’s 9th season on PBS KIDS on Monday, October 27!

In A Halloween Boo Fest, it’s George’s first Halloween in the country, and Bill tells him and Allie about the “Legend of No Noggin” – a spooky tale about a hat-kicking scarecrow who haunts the countryside on Halloween. But is the legend real? George and Allie are determined to find out by taking a picture of No Noggin in hat-kicking action. But first, George needs to figure out what he’s going to be for Halloween so he can win the costume contest at the town Boo Festival and give the prize to the Man with the Yellow Hat. Will George be able to put together the perfect costume and find out the truth about No Noggin? Only the curious will find out!

New adventures with CURIOUS GEORGE debut on PBS KIDS October 28-30, including George testing his super spy skills and exploring an aviation museum. October 28 features the premiere of “Submonkey,” an underwater adventure that includes the song “Down, Down, Down,” performed by Belinda Carlisle (lead vocalist of the Go-Go’s).

The week of Halloween will also feature Halloween-themed episodes from other PBS KIDS shows, including DINOSAUR TRAIN, DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, WILD KRATTS, and more. Check your local listings for airtimes.

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Going into my 8th Halloween as a parent, I figured it was time that I got dressed up too — so my family and I decided to be super heroes! Party City graciously supplied us with awesome costumes.

My oldest son loves Iron Man, so we found this Iron Man Muscle Costume ($29.99). He was thrilled, since he thinks Iron Man is amazing.

My five year old daughter chose to be Wonder Woman, so I picked a this Girls Wonder Woman Costume ($29.99). Very appropriate for a little girl.

My toddler, who just turned 3, is crazy about Batman (which he calls “Mat Man”). We chose the Brave & the Bold Batman Muscle Costume ($29.99), which is the classic Batman look from the 1960’s.

My husband and I decided to be super heroes also. I chose the Plus Size Super Girl Costume ($49.99) –  yeah for having something in my size!! While it fit nicely, the skirt was definitely shorter than I’m used to. Some black leggings fixed that easily (and gave me some modesty). My husband wanted to match me, so he chose the Super Man Muscle Costume ($49.99).

So, what you are going to be for Halloween?

Thank you to Party City for supplying us with costumes. No other compensation was received.

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Like all kids, I loved Halloween. I still love it, but it’s bittersweet for me. But when I was 5, almost 6 years old, my grandfather got into a car accident on the way to Florida and died the next day. After that Halloween was basically banned in my house – for years we weren’t really allowed to even mention anything Halloween related in front of my father (which was hard because I loved the holiday and dressing up). My brother and I still went trick or treating, but we were kind of quiet about it. And even though something really bad happened on Halloween, I still loved it (figures a holiday about candy would be bittersweet for me!).

35 years later, Halloween is still complicated for me. I love the dressing up and the trick or treating, but I remember and miss my grandfather. But it’s not about how I feel about Halloween anymore – the holiday is for my 3 kids now (oldest being 6). We’ve always tried to make it fun (and they don’t know about my grandfather) – because I don’t want them to carry the baggage I’ve carried for years about this. While my father hasn’t forgotten, he’s mellowed about hating Halloween as much. I was surprised he came with my mom and my oldest child to see Otto the Ghost at Hicks Nursery this past weekend and bought my son a pumpkin. He even called to see how their Halloween was, something he hasn’t done before. I still remember and miss my grandfather, but I’ll always still love Halloween.

Did this ever happen to you? A tragic event happen the same time as a happy time or occasion?

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