My child's wise words were exactly what I needed to hear this Halloween

My daughter has no interest in Halloween.

She never has, and maybe, she never will.

She’s seven-years-old and she’s never worn a Halloween costume, gone trick or treating or attended any Halloween parties thrown by her incredibly eager classmates.

Every year, I attempt to engage her and every year I’m reminded that it’s just not her thing.

She doesn’t like being scared or scaring other people.

She doesn’t like stepping out of her comfort zone and she certainly doesn’t like being forced to do something she doesn’t want to.

Believe me, I’ve learned that the hard way.

While it sounds trivial, I couldn’t help, but feel she was missing out on a very important part of her childhood.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is a vital part of growing up.

Learning to face certain fears is paramount.

And taking the advice of your mother is something you should surely try from time to time.

I reminded her that Halloween doesn’t have to be scary, but merely an opportunity to be creative.

I suggested that it was a time to celebrate Autumn, not a time to fear.

I asked if there was anything I could do to help her get into the spirit, and was met with a withering glance.

“I don’t like Halloween. I can’t help it,” she explained. “I’m not trying to be naughty, so I don’t know why you and Daddy make me feel like I am just because I don’t like it.”

“Honey, no one thinks you’re being naughty,” I replied. “We just don’t want you to miss out on this special time of year and regret it when you have babies of your own.”

“Mummy, I loved Dora the Explorer since I was a little baby, didn’t I?” she asked.

“Yes? “ I replied, confused as to where she was going with that one.

“I don’t like her anymore, do I?”

“No,” I replied, still baffled.

“So, people can change their minds, can’t they? Maybe for the rest of life I’ll love Halloween, but right now I don’t, and that’s OK.”

She was right.

Of course she was right.

Why was I forcing this?

Sometimes that child does a better job at parenting herself than I do.