Trick or treating is a tradition that children across the UK will be looking forward to as Halloween approaches.
Many of us will be happy to hand out sweets or chocolates to tots in costume – but would teenagers be as welcome?
A concerned mother has taken to Mumsnet to question whether or not her daughter is too old to indulge in the tradition.
A Mumsnet user has taken to the parenting forum to ask if her 15-year-old daughter is too old for trick or treating
User Fluffysparks took to the parenting forum writing: ’15yo DD (darling daughter) has planned a whole route with her friends.
‘They know only to knock on the houses with pumpkins, and will be properly dressing up etc.
‘I’ve said to her I think she’s too old but she would be missing out on a chance to socialise with her (very sensible) friends. I suppose this is sort of a wwyd?’
It wasn’t long before her fellow mothers came forward with their advice – with many agreeing that 15 was in fact too old for trick or treating.
The original poster Fluffysparks claimed her daughter is ‘very sensible’ but thinks that she is probably too old for the tradition
Sparklingbrook commented: ’15 way too old IMO (in my opinion). Ours stopped well before going to High School.
‘It’s for the younger children around here. i don’t know what teens get out of it, they would be better off having a Halloween party than knocking on people’s doors for sweets at that age. (sic)’
Many members of the thread said that they were concerned that teenagers would be looking for cash rather than sweets.
The majority of the mothers in the thread agreed that the tradition should be halted by the end of primary school
SheRaaarghPrincessofPower wrote: ‘Anything past primary age is too old. All the primary kids round here do trick or treat, but are supervised
‘There’s always a few teenagers trying their luck though, and they always ask for money.’
Another user agreed adding: ‘I’d worry that they’d be up to no good or looking for money. Honestly I don’t think I’d let her.’
For many mothers their main concern was that a group of teenagers may upset elderly residents.
The mother attempted to defend her daughter, even suggesting that she allow her to tag along with her friends without taking part
Some mothers said that they would open the door to teenagers as long as they were in costume
User someoneelsesstory recalled: ‘My elderly DM (darling mother) was terrified last year when groups of teens banged on the door demanding money. This year I have advised her to go out ….’
At this point the original poster jumped to her daughter’s defense in the hope to avoid the scrutiny of the mothers.
She wrote: ‘They are a group of 4 very sweet girls and would not be asking for money/banging doors/pushing LOs (little ones) or anything like that (known all of them for years and am very very sure of this) but I know that the size of them could potentially bother people… ‘
There were several mothers who agreed that the teenager should be allowed to join her pals in the tradition.
User SchoolNightWine wrote: ‘I happily give out sweets to the 15+ year olds that visit us. As long as they’re friendly and polite (which they all are that come here), then I just think it’s lovely they’re still happy to do this.’
FairyAnn added: ‘I’m with SchoolNightWine, as long as they are polite, respectful, dressed up and are happy to have sweets, not money, then what’s the harm?’