My 4 yo nephew is completely refusing to wear his costume tonight but still wants to trick or treat. We are taking him no matter what. But does anyone know any tricks that might help him want to wear it so he won't be the only child not in costume. Its not a scary costume either, its a buzz light year that he picked out himself. Thanks.
2007-10-31 05:32:19 · 11 answers · asked by Chelle's Belle 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I don't think he'll be the only child not in a costume. Not wanting to wear a costume is actually pretty common. So is starting off trick or treating with the costume on and shedding pieces of it as the evening goes on. Most costumes really aren't all that comfortable and some kids just don't like costumes regardless if they are scary or not. Personally, whether a child wears the costume or not isn't that big of a deal. Now, when those kids are in high school and come trick or treating without a costume, that's another matter.
2007-10-31 05:40:00 · answer #1 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Prehaps there is something about the costume that makes him not want it now. Who knows, 4 year olds change their minds so many times, it's kinda hard to keep up. If there is a mask or some sort of head wear with the costume, prehaps that is why he doesn't want to wear it now. To give you some ideas to get him to wear his costume would be hard with out knowing exactly what it looks like. But here's what I'm doing for my kids (plus it will keep them warmer)
My 4 year old is a princess
My 3 year old is a cheerleader
My 2 year old is a soldier
For each of them I am dressing them in their regular clothes, colors that closely match their outfits, and then I am slipping the costumes over their clothes. With my 4 year old and 2 year old, their head gear I am pinning to a part of their costume so it will look like they are supposed to carry it instead of actually wearing it. Little kids are hard to make wear certain things. The best thing to do is make it sound as fun as possible and do not threaten punishment if he still refuses to wear it.
If you are still having trouble, instead of the buzz costume, get either some his his nicest clothes, or some of his worst ones. Bad clothes, with a little dirt, grease, or dark face paint can make him look like a frustrated mechanic. Good clothes, depending on what they look like he could be a prince, groom, or business man (if you can have him carry a small brief case type bag instead of a traditional pumkin or other halloween candy bag).
If he wants to wear his normal clothes, just use your imagination about different ways his regular clothes can appear to be a costume. It lots of fun and he wont even know he's being put "in a costume".
Good luck and have lots of fun!!!
2007-10-31 05:52:05 · answer #2 · answered by angelwithadvice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did he say WHY he doesn't want to wear it? It could be uncomfortable, or maybe a child at school teased him for it. That is something you need to find out and work out.
People answering doors will be far less likely to give the good candy, or a lot of candy, to a kid without a costume. Tell him that, too. Some people may even refuse altogether!
2007-10-31 06:02:04 · answer #3 · answered by Esma 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell him that part of the rules for Trick-or-treating is that you have to wear a costume, so if you don't wear it you can't go..
2007-10-31 05:35:44 · answer #4 · answered by Legs 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He shouldn't be allowed to trick or treat without a costume, that' s the whole point and not fair.
2007-10-31 05:42:58 · answer #5 · answered by ppw1024 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't push it! Just bring the costume along if he changes his mind. And if people ask...tell them he is dressed up as an independant 4 year old!!
2007-10-31 06:10:16 · answer #6 · answered by elloel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him stay home, until the first couple of kids come dressed up. Maybe, when he sees others dressed differ. He will want to wear it. If not, paint alittle on his face and put on a silly shirt and go that way. Anyone gripes tell them his age. Smart ones will understand. Good Luck and Have Fun !!
2007-10-31 05:47:58 · answer #7 · answered by Kay A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4 year olds are weird that way.
I don't think I'd push it, if it were my child. The natural consequences of every adult at the door asking him where his costume is will be plenty lesson enough for him to start learning social conventions. And, if he's strong enough to hold his own, anyway, against those social conventions, well - what a great start he has against bowing to peer pressure.
2007-10-31 05:39:59 · answer #8 · answered by Maureen 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
The trick is : If he don't wear the costume, he don't go!!!!
2007-10-31 05:37:46 · answer #9 · answered by Becky J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
put a cape on him, ask him what he would wear or just take him out without one and he can go as himself
2007-10-31 06:09:08 · answer #10 · answered by melissa s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋