Costume Drama Already

Halloween is two weeks away!! So in preparation for this we really started to get into the spirit. Last weekend we kicked it off by watching Halloween themed movies and deciding what we wanted to do/go on that day. My husband practiced carving a pumpkin with Emery last Friday. She LOVED it! Then on Saturday we went and let her pick out her costume! Unfortunately, the best part about this whole experience was kind of rained on by my parents.

See, my parents are really religious. We celebrated Halloween when I was younger but once my mother “found the lord”, that holiday was “banned”. Then when I was a teenager I started looking into other religions before having to commit and be confirmed into the Catholic Church. This included Paganism (which will be a story for another time). This sent my mom on a war path. I could go into details but you guys would all probably end up scared of my mother. Anyway, for my parents Halloween pretty much equals evil. They don’t mind costumes but in all honesty my mother would be more okay with someone dressing slutty than being a witch or devil for Halloween.

So guess what costume Emery picked out? She picked out the Devilina costume. My husband and I didn't mind. In fact we didn't think anything about it at first. We picked out several costumes that they had in her size, and then we set them out for her to choose one she liked. She put that costume and a bumble bee one in our cart. So, I told her she could only pick one. She picked the red one. When I asked if she was sure, she clung to that bag like it was candy. And when we tried to have her take a different one, she refused. Devilina it was.

It wasn't till we were driving home that my husband asked “Do you think your parents will say anything about her outfit?” “Nah.” I said. But of course, I was very very wrong. The minute she showed off her outfit, all proud and excited, my parents ripped me a new one. Well, once Emery was out of hearing range of course. They were so put off by this costume that they said they were buying her a different one. I was scolded for allowing her to pick something that represented “evil”. And then I was lectured on how I should “know better”. This lasted for about 30 minutes. I said my peace, declined their offer for another costume (not that they’ll listen), and left.

You know, I really can’t believe my parents sometimes. It’s Halloween for Pete's sake! She’s going to go around the town asking for candy! One costume is not going to change my daughter into a devil worshiper. Hell, she doesn't even KNOW what the costume is. She just liked the colors. But, now there's tension between us. I won't cave to my parents because I'M Emery's mother. Not the other way round. I don't want them buying her a replacement costume, because her dad and I have agreed that we're OKAY with the costume she already picked out. We don't need to ask them for their approval. So now, MY parents just need to get on board. Either that, or just leave it alone. My husband and I have agreed to make this FUN for Emery, and if my parents don't want to be a part of that, then that's fine. I'm not forcing them to participate. But I'm not going to just stand by and let them dictate what I can and can't do/buy for my daughter.