My kids bring home bags of Halloween candy. I let them keep just 5 pieces each.
I'm a dietitian and mom of 2. I use the Candy Fairy to manage Halloween candy without making my kids feel deprived.
This family practices a unique approach to Halloween candy consumption. As a registered dietitian and mom, the author allows her two children to enjoy the holiday without feeling guilty. After trick-or-treating, each child selects five of their favorite pieces of candy to keep. The remaining treats are given to the Candy Fairy, who takes the excess and leaves a small toy in exchange.
This exchange is framed as a fun activity, rather than a punishment. The author emphasizes that her children still get to experience the excitement of trick-or-treating and making choices about their candy, while also avoiding an overwhelming amount of treats. The Candy Fairy concept turns the process of discarding excess candy into a positive experience.
The author also mentions practical reasons for this approach, such as managing the food environment and avoiding a month-long supply of Halloween candy. She suggests alternative options like donating candy to organizations that the children feel good about supporting, or freezing favorite treats for later use. The key takeaway is that the family aims to strike a balance between enjoying Halloween treats and maintaining a healthy relationship with food.
The rule is simple: enjoy Halloween, eat some candy, pick a few pieces you love, and then let the Candy Fairy or a good cause handle the rest.
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