Thread: Need some input from passionate haunters

Tweet

We got our son's high school varsity football schedule for the upcoming season. The final game of the year (not including playoffs) is Friday, October 31st. I was dreading this since last year.) He'll be a senior. He'll likely start, possibly on both sides of the ball. We've never missed a game since he's been a freshman. The team they're playing is one they'll no doubt beat handily. He has already said it wouldn't bother him if I didn't go, as he is also a big Halloween fan and normally helps out with our haunt. We draw close to 500 TOT's each year, not including parents, and our house has always been "that Halloween House". We get news coverage from at least two of the local tv stations, and people continue to arrive well past TOT hours just to visit and take pics. The thought of "not doing Halloween" really is upsetting. So, all things considered, what would you do?
Again, there will most likely be a post season for his team, and doing both the game and Halloween is not an option.
Thanks for your input. I have much to think about in the upcoming months, as if we don't do a haunt, there will be things I won't start working on.

You're asking the wrooooong crowd such a question. Do the haunt. Buy a video of the game.

sorry, but i say the game. do you have some trusted, reliable friends that can do the haunt without you being there. i would want to see my senior son start the game. this is his last year, a big year, a big event. there's always the haunt next year. no matter what, it would be the game for me!

I'd go to the game, but I'd set up the haunt as well and ask a friend or family member to cover the TOTs until you could get home.

Or I'd have either you or your wife attend the game and tape it. You'd still have one of his parents there for him, and the other one could stay and do the haunt.

My wife will be at the game regardless. I'm thinking of possible recruits to run the show but on any given year we have no less than 6 people working the haunt (two of which were my older son's and some of their friends) and neither will be home this year. The other consideration I forgot to mention is that we have a 12 y.o son who absolutely loves Halloween as well and has already asked if he has to miss out on TOT because of the "stupid football game." He has been dragged to more games than we can count and he really doesn't get into it. While it seems far off, it's something that is going to be here sooner than later so I'll need to make some plans. I'd be reluctant to have someone responsible for things if we're not home. We have a sizeable collection of props, and need to periodically go into the house for things during the evening. Our family is small and I truly can't think of anyone who would be willing to take it over for a night. Hmmm.....

Hmmm. I am guessing he is the oldest. Soon he will be off to college, out of the house, then married. I think its sweet you have held your family together this long, but what will you do next year? Do you need him to help run the haunt or is just you like spending family time together?

I would ask him how he feels!!! (and dont be surprised if it changes one week before Halloween)
A) He wants to play ball while you all pass out treats without him - which will be done next year. Everyone enjoys the setting up and tear down.
B) He wants to play ball and his ego will be crushed if you don't see him score every touchdown of his high school career. You have to be there. God forbid, if he got injured could you bare to think that you were not there.
C) He wants to skip the game, and spend time with the family. He shares your passion and his teammates will have to deal with his diversity.

I don't know your family, but if i was the star football player, my mind would be on beer and chicks. Actually, being a football player isn't even needed. Maybe he has a party to go to and does not care about your "stupid" halloween party.

Seriously, ask him what is more important. I mean there still is play offs. It is no big deal if you miss watching him, afterall you probably will see him play multiple games, but there is only one Halloween.

Keeping in mind that I don't have children of my own, and as long as the Mom is going to be at the game, I would do the haunt. If it's at all possible, maybe you could at least catch the kickoff and part of the first quarter, then haul butt home to the haunt. Get Mom to video tape the whole thing anyway, and maybe you could do something special for your son and his friends at the house after the game (special by invitation only haunt for the team or something). Also, I agree with Detroit about just asking him how he feels. You might find your'e stressing yourself over something that he feels isn't a great big deal.

jdubbya, sounds like you already know what your going to do, but feel guilty about it. I have a son who plays football also so I know where your coming from. I missed his best game ever when I had my gallbladder out! IMHO, I would do the haunt because it's only 1 game and the wife will be there. Plus your 12 year old and haunt need you! Your son has already given you his blessing. Don't feel bad! We do everything for our kids!
PS. Who's responsible for planning a game on Halloween?!

Hi,
I can see you are struggling with this dilema, and while I realize this is not going to make you feel better, I truly feel you should go to the game. Im not saying dont do the haunt, I would do what I could to get someone else to help out and run things. I know if it were my son he would tell me he wouldnt mind if I were not there, but inside he really would. He would just tell me that so i wouldnt feel bad. Dont take the chance that your son is not like mine. Kids grow so fast and there will only be one LAST game. If it were another game I would say you could get away with just one of you going, but missing your kids last football game of his senior year is not an option.
As far as the younger one, I say let him stay with a friend or relative and enjoy the haunt. He deserves his time to.

Sabotage the other team's bus so there is no game!

Ok, maybe not practical.

Personally, I would plan on going to the game. Maybe scaling back, doing something simpler, and having somone to hand out candy for this year, not a bunch of people helping. And let the 12 year old stay to ToT.