Kids are getting the day off after Halloween but I'm suspicious as to why

"No this is not a trick, a school will be closed to 'let students have a sleep-in', but I don't think that's the real reason," writes mum Jordana.

One school has definitely hit the Halloween candy too early and lost all sense of logic; they have notified parents that the day after Halloween they are closed, so the kids can have a "sleep in" after their big night of trick or treating. 

In other words, "we politely decline having your children at school the day after Halloween as we do not want to deal with kids and toddlers who are coming down from a sugar high."

And no, we're not tricking you.

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Is it up to the school or parents to limit a child's Halloween candy intake? Source: iStock

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Sorry parents, school's out for Halloween 

Halloween has officially become a thing in Australia now - because we copy everything American, even though its origins are deeply rooted in paganism. It's commercialism at its finest.

It's not just adults that have been brainwashed about All Hallows Eve, the kids are also become more aware, thanks to their favourite shows always throwing in a Halloween episode. And social media... and the internet in general. 

If you aren't aware, here are the basics of Halloween. Kids and some adults dress up and hit the streets, they knock on doors, say "trick or treat" and get a candy treat for doing so. This is not a morning ritual, it's an afternoon/evening activity. So it's all fun and games until the kids get home and want to consume all of it, just before bedtime. And usually it's quite a haul!

And so a great battle between parents and children begins; how much candy is allowed before brushing your teeth and hitting your head on the pillow? 

Most of the time, it's a lot, which is why one school has taken the "initiative" to close the day after Halloween, on the guise that children will be tired and thus need a sleep in. However, the parents, who are expected to go to work the next day, can see right through the mask the school is wearing.

They know the school wants to avoid the sugar hangover the kids will undoubtedly be suffering from. 

It's not an optional day off - so parents are expected to remain home with their children, mid-week as they sleep-off their candy-haze, and come down from their sugar highs.

Apart from an unnecessary inconvenience for working parents, what if a family isn't trick or treating? Should every child be kept home because of a potential sugar crash even if they didn't participate?

We all love teachers, but perhaps let the kids have a bit of outdoor play or sport in the morning to get their sillies out and get back to learning. 

RELATED: Dad defends not giving 2yo many Halloween treats

Do parents need to take a personal day for Halloween? 

While parents of this school have no choice in the matter, Kidspot put this to other parents, to see how they would feel if their school was closed after Halloween.

-"I really don’t think they need the day off after Halloween. Halloween is more of a fun day than an actual holiday. Trick or treating usually ends around 7-8pm at least in my area. My kids go to bed at 9pm. Don’t let them pig out on all their candy in one sitting. At the most they may be an extra 30 minutes. I don’t see what there is to recover from."

-"Personally, and I only have a baby, so it’s not based on having a school aged child, I think it’s ridiculous. It’s not a public holiday and what are parents meant to do take the day off because their kids had too many chocolates?"

-"Have people gone absolutely bananas (or pumpkin?!), allowing a pupil free day after Halloween!"

-"I think it would be ridiculous for kids to have the next day off for a ritual that probably not even the majority would partake in!"

And finally, this mum shared: "Part of the whole Halloween experience is being out too late on a school night eating lollies and end up being a zombie yourself the day after."

As parents, we know that our children aren't their best selves when they are hopped up on sugary treats, and the school should too. There's no need to assume parents are going to allow their kids to eat an entire bag full of candy and chocolates before bed or before school. While the school can advise parents not too overload the kids with sugar after Halloween, they shouldn't shut their doors and expect parents to take time off because they assume those parents can't manage the occasion. 

Originally published as Kids are getting the day off after Halloween but I'm suspicious as to why