Halloween is just around the corner and with it comes all the decorations of the spooky season. Pumpkins, candy, costumes, and of course decorations! There are lots of great ways to get your house in the Halloween spirit (spirit?): cute ghosts, creepy skeletons, tasteful decorative gourds, and even something scary like an animatronic Jason statue. But for one mom on TikTok who goes by @lindswitt, the decor has gotten a little out of hand…
“I need someone to explain to me why people decorate their homes in completely scary ways for Halloween, we’re talking about scary decorations, when the neighborhood kids, young kids are riding their bikes, playing outside, driving by. These houses, all October,” she began. “We have a home in our neighborhood and their whole garage… was just covered and I was talking from corner to corner and there was a picture of a clown on it. it. …and this is just one of the decorations! So, as a mother, I’m excited to explain what that picture is and try to frame it in a way that doesn’t sound as scary to my kids.
She went on to explain that she understands that people have correct “But from a human perspective, in a community with children, why would you decorate your home in such a bold, loud, can’t-miss way that is so scary? It’s not even October yet and Mom is already tired of explaining ‘Oh, it’s just a friendly clown, that’s how he smiles.
OK
So as someone who buys a life-size plastic skeleton for her front yard every year, and whose family would have been bankrupt if her husband hadn’t been the voice of reason, this judgmental “question” hurts me in a fundamental way. Miss. No one asked you to explain the plot it to your children. Just tell your kids “It’s a spooky clown for Halloween” and move on. They’ll be fine.
And Pennywise (his name is Pennywise: respect his name) everywhere No matter what time of year it is. T-shirts, posters, I’ve even seen him in the back of a pickup truck. Is he scary? Of course, a little bit. But it’s not like the scene your neighbor is projecting Terrorist or House of 1000 Corpses In their garage. This is a photo of a somewhat creepy clown. It doesn’t matter.
But beyond that, as a mom, I also look a little sideways. Because you know what fear is mine Child once? The bushes in front of our town hall are covered in Christmas lights. I’m not kidding. I have a video of my three-year-old sobbing in terror and screaming “It’s a huge bush!” You know what didn’t scare her? Our neighbor had a show of movie-realistic scary zombies that she would invite them to visit and she could give them hugs and kisses.
My point is that choosing decorations based on content that may upset children is a futile exercise. Kids are weirdos. They don’t make sense.
Doesn’t anyone think about the children? One of my kids in particular found it miserable.
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It seems that most commenters equally disagree with this diatribe against cruelty. Their explanation for the question was quick and as ironic as the question itself.
“As a mom of a two year old…it’s Halloween,” @postivelypreemie replied. “Hope this helps.”
“Because it’s their house,” said @hlouro7.
Some are even more vitriolic.
“Can someone please make me understand why people use their free will to do what they want at home because I just can’t?!?!” joked @takeme2urcheese. “Why don’t they think about my family first??!?!”
“Her neighbors should take turns knocking on her door constantly to get her kids to agree before buying anything,” @genericsocialmediaalias chimed in.
Look, the world can be a scary place all year round, and as parents, I think we all understand that guiding our children through it can be a daunting task. But we have to guide them, and honestly, pictures of clowns shouldn’t even be classified as disturbing.
