You're right, they're wrong. Halloween and costumes are supposed to be fun. If he doesn't think it's fun to wear the costume, no reason to force it.

Now, if he doesn't want to wear a winter coat to play in the snow, that's a health/safety issue and I say no coat, no snow. But there's no reason he needs a costume for Halloween fun.

Sooo not worth kicking up a fuss about. I don't know why some people feel the need to punish children for everything. He wasn't breaking a rule, he wasn't hurting anyone, and it was important (like refusing to eat or whatever). You did just what you should have done.

I'm on your side. A happy 3 year old in street clothes beats an unhappy one in a costume!

Disciplining a 3 year old because he didn't want to wear his Halloween costume? That's comical! You definitely weren't wrong. If someone did that, I don't think their child would want to dress up for Halloween ever again! He had fun at the festival and that's all that matters. Halloween is a time to have fun!

Nah, it's halloween. If he wants to dress normal it's no big deal. He's not hurting anyone :)

Pick your battles momma. You did fine :)

Thanks, ladies. I was kind of shocked that so many family members thought we were too "soft" on him.

You did great. You respected his wishes and he had a great time. Win, win. ?

U weren't wrong. He's three. They need to get off of their self righteous thrones and realize it too. Only an immature person would punush a child for this

Nope, there was no reason to punish him. Maybe he felt uncomfortable with it on and he just didn't want to wear it. No reason to punish him for that. I think you handled it the way I would of.

I think you handled it perfectly!

I would have done exactly what you did.

I wouldn't have punished him for deciding not to wear a costume, regardless of how long it took me to make it. Especially because he is only 3. If he was 13 and begged me to make it, then told me he wasnt going to after that I might approach it differently.

Your not wrong OP, and I am glad you all had a good time regardless!

I would NEVER punish my child, especially one so young for something so trivial. I think you handled it perfectly. 3 is too young to understand that kind of thing and even if he didn't wear it now I'm sure he will have a great dress up costume.