Kids and Horror?

[llewis]

So I have a couple kids who both want love the horror genre (MILD though is what I let them see, nothing crazy), and they have already started asking for scary Halloween costumes (a lot like these childrens costumes (http://www.mrcostumes.com/Kids-Costumes-C5.aspx) with light blood/vampire themes), but their grandparents don't think they should dress up as something like that. What do you guys think?

[hammerfan]

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with it. But then, I'm not a parent. How old are your kids? I started watching horror movies when I was about 4 or 5.

[Atraxi]

Isn't that the point of Halloween? The non-religious, totally commercialized and traditional spirit of Halloween? I can't tell you what to do with your children but I'd generally let children dress how they want to on Halloween. The whole point is to be scary and/or be scared. Don't rob children of their Halloween experiences, I see that happen all of the time. It's just a holiday.

I don't really know what the grandparents specific issues are but if you make something to be more serious than it really is, you're teaching that to the child. Also, if you try to keep something from a child, eventually, they usually end up getting what they want and maybe not in the best way.

To tie this all up, every other kid is going to be celebrating Halloween and if you disallow your children to dress a certain way (scary), you're only going to ostracize your children. In high school, I had a friend who was from a Baptist family and they pulled her out of school on Halloween because they didn't want her to attend the Halloween parties. Instead, they brought her to church to pray. I know these are two different issues but they boil down to the same thing; taking the child from something they want that is harmless, making it into something serious when it's really just fun, and ostracizing your own children at a young age.

[Fearonsarms]

Pretty much agree with those above I don't see any problem at all.

[hacelikewhoa]

I've been obsessed with horror, gore and guts, since I was about 5....I'm now a nurse, go figure. I turned out alright.

[So High]

To each their own. Although you did ask for opinions. I was one of the children never regulated on what I was allowed to watch. So therefore it wasn't a big deal ya know. My parents were old old school. My parents were born in the 30's I know right. So my pops was only concerned if I was asking about something he considered to "kiddie". Cause he was trying to teach me "MANLY" ya know his era was John, Clint, Burt, James, Elvis and those guys. Also he made horror funny when watchin it. I remember watchin Evil Dead and he would say, "Look at that oatmeal MMMM MMM" or watchin Fright Night. "Charlie" he would say in a girlie mocking voice of Amanda Bearse. Anyway I have no Idea the point or where I was going with any of that. I think ya should let them be what they want to be. If its a childrens costume whats the harm. Although if your out to make Grandparents happy yiy kinda ify. I guess it depends if it was my parents or my wifes parents. Either way My lil ones can be whatever. I think everday is Halloween for them. Just today my lil one says, "I'm a Cowboy ninja." I gotta mess with em too. "Cowboys aren't Ninjas son"

[Dark Flower]

As "So High" said "To each their own". I see nothing wrong with it and think it's really cool when kids are dressed super gory. It's all in fun and helps spark creativity and problem solving. For an 8 year old who wants to look like a pile of blood and guts they have to use their problem solving skills and develop them and their imagination.

[Atraxi]

You could even make it a family bonding experience, if you wanted to. Instead of buying a costume and pre-made kits, as a family, you could make the costumes and supplies. For example, instead of buying fake blood, you could always get a bucket, corn syrup and red food coloring and let the kids mix up a batch of fake blood. Not only will they end up with a totally unique costume but you will have been able to spend some quality time together, it would inspire a sense of accomplishment, and help to build their creative thinking skills.

[BigBadBilly]

Well. Children are the future. So getting them interested in the fun you can have with horror is a good thing to do.

Now, more on topic. Why not? It's all in fun? And at the very least you could say it would stimulate imagination. I was given no restrictions on horror movies and costumes when I was young... and I turned out fine. (Puts meat cleaver back under pillow)

[horrorwarehouse.com]

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with it. But then, I'm not a parent. How old are your kids? I started watching horror movies when I was about 4 or 5.

Like hammerfan i also started watching horror movies when i was about 4 years old and it never done me any harm :D.

Only yourself can know if its a good idea though.

[Bloodwolf13]

Well I am no parent but I see nothing wrong with dressing up scary for Halloween. Hell when I was a little kid all I wanted to do was dress up as something scary. Dracula grim reaper zombie undead pirate scary every time! it's just a part of the holiday.

[Dara]

I have three teenage sons.I let them watch horror films from an early age.My eldest hates them,he's seventeen and only just managed to sit through Rec 2 last week.He can leave the room though ,I dont force him against his will!!
The other two are proper gore hounds and love dressing up!Tis all harmless fun!

[Fearonsarms]

I have three teenage sons.I let them watch horror films from an early age.My eldest hates them,he's seventeen and only just managed to sit through Rec 2 last week.He can leave the room though ,I dont force him against his will!!
The other two are proper gore hounds and love dressing up!Tis all harmless fun!

Agreed it is harmless I genuinely don't understand why people are so uptight it's 2012 not the 70s. It's ok for kids to play Grand Theft Auto games with gangsters, whores, crime and killing sprees but watching horror films and dressing up as your fave characters is only allowed on halloween???No way -have fun-people really need to lighten up.

[Bizarre]

http://www.mrcostumes.com/Boys-Mr-Six-Kids-Costume-2742.htm

This one is creepy as fuck!

Take the mask, get your kid a red raincoat and you've got a good "Don't Look Now" costume!

[Dead&Bloated]

I've been watching hardcore horror since I was four. I hated dressing up and going trick or treating. Every Halloween my parents would buy a shit load of candy, rent a stack of the most depraved, gore filled flicks they could find, and me and my brother and sister would sit up all night watching them while stuffing our faces with candy. It was good times man! But if your kids are into wearing costumes I say let them wear what they want. Its not going to mess them up. Its what Halloween is all about.

[Raincoat Killer]

There should be no such thing as censorship. I saw horror movies like The Exorcist when I was only 1 month old and this happened weekly because my parents were intelligent and knew how to raise their son. I turned out fine. And that's what intelligent parents do. They teach their children what is real what is a movie. Not to say horror movies do not show real things, but I was taught the difference between fake blood and real blood. Children should see what they want (except porn, which should be banned entirely) so long as the parents bring them up right it won't bother them, and I'm living proof of that.

http://www.mrcostumes.com/Boys-Mr-Six-Kids-Costume-2742.htm

This one is creepy as fuck!

Take the mask, get your kid a red raincoat and you've got a good "Don't Look Now" costume!

A red raincoat. Now that's something I can relate too.

[Elvis_Christ]

i saw horror movies like the exorcist when i was only 1 month old

lol :D

........dfdf................................

[Dara]

Children are fantastic for scaring people.You can get them to do evil demonic possession voices on public transport for a bit of fun...and to get a seat if its a bit busy.

[Mr-X]

Children are fantastic for scaring people.You can get them to do evil demonic possession voices on public transport for a bit of fun...and to get a seat if its a bit busy.

I would just phone my good friend father Merrin to throw water on them haha

[Dara]

I would just phone my good friend father Marin to throw water on them hahaOOOh! Id just get one to squeal MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRIN!!!!!!and start to convulse wildly whilst vomiting puce green liquid on your head!

[Mr-X]

Then I would jump out of the emergency exit and the bus would be empty :p

[MichaelMyers]

Children should not only be permitted, but forced to watch horror.

[Dara]

Children should not only be permitted, but forced to watch horror.In a clockwork orange type style?

[MichaelMyers]

In a clockwork orange type style?

Preferably.