By Jessica Guerrieri

When it’s November 1, the big question will remain: How do I explain to my three-year-old that Halloween happens only once a year? When it’s 6:30 a.m. and she has changed herself out of her witch costume, which she will have slept in, and then crawled back into her cat costume, the answer will be: I will not. I will accept that it will likely be Halloween in our house until Santa arrives.

Since I’m in it for the long haul, why not get into it? In college, I was absolutely that girl who used Halloween as an excuse to rock Daisy Dukes or fishnet stockings. But as a mom, I have different reasons for celebrating the holiday (and it’s not just because Reese’s peanut butter cups become my main source of protein). 

First of all, I adore a good family costume. My girls love to dress up; it is something of an Olympic event in our household. This means we have no fewer than ten costumes to choose from when the big day arrives. So just like celebrities photographed on the red carpet, my daughters are never caught in the same outfit twice. Our best efforts, by far, were the year when my girls were paw-deep in their feline phase, and I, as the crazy cat lady, was just along for the ride. (I didn’t have the heart to tell them that we are actually dog people.) 

Second, I secretly like to judge costumed couples. You can always tell the husbands whose wives have their little pumpkins in the palms of their hands; they begrudgingly become the Aladdin to their wife’s Jasmine or the Adam to their Eve. But the men who dress up for their kids get my serious respect. It takes a dedicated father to rock his shirtless dad-bod as Maui from Moana, all so his daughter can feel like a princess. I see you Dad people.

Third, I enjoy knowing the answer, for once, to the oft-asked question: Why is my child acting like a wild animal? Anytime around Halloween, I don’t have to guess. Sugar, costumes, and the overuse of pumpkin spice are the causes of most insanity. Yep, in October and slightly beyond we are all a little batty.

During my Daisy Dukes days, I was fully convinced that being seen and partying into the night was exactly what the smashing-pumpkins holiday was all about. But as a mother, I’ve experienced the true magic of Halloween. You know, letting kids express their imaginations and teaching them about manners, gratitude, and, of course, the most important lesson of all: I gave you life, therefore you give me all your Reese’s. 

Jessica Guerrieri is a mom, humorist, and writer. Find her at witandspitup.com and on Instagram @witandspitup.