My son hates wearing hats. I doubt he'll put on a Halloween costume. But who says children HAVE to dress up for Halloween?

That's the holiday debate in our home right now. My wife would love for our 3-year-old son to don a costume for trick-or-treating. I would too. Problem is, my boy doesn't like hats, jackets or heavy sweaters. And last Halloween, he hated his cowboy outfit, even though he looked cute enough to make a Halloween TV commercial.

That's why this year I'm predicting he will refuse to dress up before we head out to knock on neighbors' doors for candies and treats. Sure, he says he wants to be something for Halloween. Ask him, and he'll say "I want to be a scurvy pirate." It sounds so cute to hear him say scurvy (or "scurby").

But wait and see. When the moment arrives, he'll be begging to go outside with his regular clothes. In my mind I can hear his words: "Please, Daddy, I don't want pirate. Don't want it!"

Still, we hope. We have one pirate costume ready and two back-up costumes. A fireman outfit, complete with a faux buzz saw. And a Harry Potter outfit, which right now is really just a pair of large black eyeglasses. (Again, he looks really cute because he already has Harry's big eyes and hairdo.)

My wife and I won't force our son to do anything he really doesn't want to do. But besides my son's likely pleas to wear regular clothes, I also dread seeing my wife's face should he not wear a costume. My wife LOVES holidays and all the traditions that come with it. Her face brightens up like a Great Pumpkin when she talks about trick-or-treating as a child. And she really wants my son to have similar wonderful holiday memories.

Again, I do too.

I just hope my son Danny sees it that way. Otherwise, he'll be trick-or-treating as a plain 3-year-old. I just hope that won't diminish his candy booty on Halloween night.

> Please comment