With the lifestyle changes we implemented following Blair’s diagnosis this past summer, the holidays seemed to loom in my mind a bit. As a family, we have banded together in making adjustments in what we eat and what we don’t eat. And this has not only supported Blair’s health and the management of her disease but also benefits all of us in our health. However, there are so many holiday traditions wrapped up in food! Whether it be Grandma’s cookies at Christmas or yes, the candy sweets from Halloween. But we know without a doubt that the approach we have taken for Blair is the right one. So this year we introduced everyone to The Switch Witch! A new family Halloween tradition!

And in typical fashion that continues to astound me, all four of them linked arms with their sister and said they would love to switch things up. I know there are so many wonderful ways families have customized their Halloween experience. For us, we decided to forego the candy and “dose for carbs”. Instead, we all decided that we would enjoy the festivities like we always do, but instead of eating any candy, the kids would trade theirs in for a gift from “The Switch Witch”.

The Bearded Gent and I kept things very simple (especially with Christmas right around the corner). A gift of no more than $15 for each of them in exchange for their candy worked out perfectly. Not to mention, we made sure to have everyone’s favorite flavor of Rebel Creamery ice cream on hand at home. So when we wrapped up trick-or-treating we headed back, slipped into comfies, opened gifts, dove into ice cream, and enjoyed a family move night.

It was absolutely dreamy!

Everyone even agreed that we wish we started this tradition sooner. To see these four support their sister and the continued lifestyle changes amazes me. Between Blair’s maturity in handling the changes her Type 1 diabetes has required to the whole gang joining in so no one feels different or left out. They will never know the immense blessing each of them are in the face of managing their sister’s disease and what is best for her.

This Halloween was the first one under our belt since Blair was diagnosed and we are headed into our first holiday season as a Type 1 family. After experiencing Halloween, I no longer worry about how Blair will handle things or how her siblings will react to changes.

I think we are going to be alright.

Have you implemented specific Halloween traditions in your home that differ from how you grew up?

I would love to hear about them!