Dear Luna, My child has been wanting to be a Paw Patrol Puppy for Halloween for a full year! I saw the costume at Costco a few months ago and snatched it up! They have been wearing it around the house for two months. It is now one week before Halloween, and they don’t want to be a Paw Patrol Puppy for Halloween anymore. What do I do? Do I hold firm and make them be a Paw Patrol Puppy? Do I buy another costume? Or do I tell them that this year, they are dressing up as a preschool student?

Aw, sweet preschooler parents, in all of my observations over the years, this is by no means, out of the ordinary. Your child’s tastes and likes can change almost daily, if not hourly! 

This is totally normal, and it’s actually a sign of growing up: around this age, kids start wanting to distance things that they may have loved even last week. 

Don’t push the costume. Forcing it usually backfires and can make them dig in harder. Let them know it’s okay to change their mind.

Ask what they’d rather be. Often, it means they’ve seen something cooler, superheroes, dinosaurs, firefighters, or a favorite character from a newer show are common upgrades.

Offer a ‘twist’. Sometimes the Paw Patrol pup can survive with a reframe. Being a real rescue worker or firefighter (Marshall’s job) skips the cartoon label, while reusing part of the costume, like a hat or vest. 

Keep the costume in play anyway. It can be for dress-up at home, a younger sibling or cousin, or a swap with a friend. If it’s unworn with tags, check the return window, since many stores extend theirs for Halloween. 

Have a backup plan. If they flip again on October 31st, a simple fallback (the pup costume, or a throwaway option like a cape or a cozy animal onesie) saves the day without a meltdown. Colorful face paint is also an option! It’s all fun. 

There are some kids who don’t want to dress up at all. That’s fine, and it’s their choice. You don’t have to go around your neighborhood, or any neighborhood. You can go to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for a special treat. You can do the Gilman Village daytime treat day. Or, (this is really cute to do each year) record your kiddo ringing your own doorbell and saying ‘Trick or Treat’ to YOU! 

Have the conversation about their costume with them soon so that you have time to pivot, and know that on Halloween, the real superheroes are the preschool parents who go with the flow!

You can always submit questions for Luna to answer through Brin or through the rest of the staff. They will get the message to our observant and wise friend.

Love,
Luna