October To-Do List: What Are Your Charges Afraid Of?
The customs that evolved into Halloween originated as a festival marking the end of harvesting and as a way to placate evil ghosts and to ensure good crops for the coming year. When November 1 was celebrated as All Saints Day, October 31 became Halloween, which is the eve of Hallows Day because Saints were considered hallowed people. In recent times, Halloween has become an excuse for fun, costumes, parties, candies, and photos.
But, Halloween is also a safe way to deal with fears of weird and scary characters of unknown origin. Confronting anxiety is the reason for horror movies and fairy tales, vampires, and gruesome stepmothers.
For the current school year in NJ, the state mandated that each school have an anti-bullying program. While guidance by the state has not yet been provided to schools, we have discussed the issue on this site. At the same time, age-appropriate lessons about the infamous events of 9/11 were also mandated. This site has also discussed that subject. Click here to learn how to discuss terror with your charges.
For children, even normal and well-adjusted kids, trivial and unfounded anxieties can lead to all-consuming terror. That fear can lead to anti-social and self destructive behavior. Behavior harmful to others such as joining gangs, criminal activity, or terrorism. Or terror so great that suicide becomes an option.
The October to-do is to stop bullying -- to stop the bullying of your charges, to stop bullying by your charges, and to stop bullying by and between others. The best way to achieve this is by making sure your charges feel self-confident and calm. Kids must feel free to tell adults about bullying, whether the bullying is online or in person.