<a title="Dentist_buys_back_Halloween_candy" href="http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20111023/NEWS01/110230301/-1/7daysarchives/Dentist-buy-back-Halloween-candy" target="_blank">A dentist in the Nashville, Tennessee area</a>is offering money in exchange for Halloween candy. His purpose, of course, is to reduce the sugar children consume, and improve their dental health. And, probably, gain new patients.

[caption id="attachment_319" align="alignright" width="300" caption="My niece Amanda as a clown"]<a href="http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Amanda_halloween.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-319 " title="Amanda_halloween" src="http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Amanda_halloween-300x235.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="235" /></a>[/caption]

For parents who do not live near Nashville, what should you do to limit the candy your child eats at Halloween.

* Have a favorite meal for an early supper, before trick-or-treating.
* Give out non-candy items - spider rings, pencils, fake tattoos, stick on gems, crayons, erasers, etc.
* Host a Halloween party, shifting the focus onto games and fun, rather than just acquiring candy.

[caption id="attachment_161" align="alignleft" width="243" caption="Benjamin at age 3"]<a href="http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Benj_halloween_21.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-161" title="Benj_halloween_2" src="http://motherhoodstress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Benj_halloween_21-243x300.jpg" alt="" width="243" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

* Go to a Trunk or Treat event, where your child will play games and socialize, in addition to trick-or-treat. More and more churches host these, providing games and food, in addition to a limited arena for getting candy.

* Set your rules about the candy: when it can be eaten (after a meal) and how many pieces.

* Set a limit on how long you'll keep the left-over candy. Plan to give it away or throw it away after 2 or 3 days.  Perhaps you know a teacher who would love to have candy to give out as rewards to her students.

* Relax and enjoy the holiday and do not stress out too much over your child's sugar intake.