I’m not one to indulge in the Friday the 13th movie series. It’s less about a phobia as it is about horror films — I just don’t like them. But that won’t stop the masses from doing an all-day binge of the movies when Friday the 13th pops into our calendars again on November 13, 2020. For those with little kids, I doubt the binge will happen and you might instead enjoy a more light-hearted Friday the 13th game or party theme.
Jenny Abouobaia's daughter was born on the 13th and she's already planning her superstition-filled birthday party. “I was thinking along the lines of a scary/funny cartoon characters/favorite toys dress-up party, with homemade costumes, which would add to the fun, be cost-effective, and show the kids that the 'scariness' is imaginary,” she told Mom.com.
Keeping it light and fun might help your kids from developing a phobia, called paraskevidekatriaphobia, as they mature. Honestly, I think I’m more afraid of trying to say that word! But still, plenty hold extra caution for Friday the 13th. It got me wondering about the origins of the day and how we all got to be so afraid of what should otherwise be a “Friyay.”
Friday the 13th superstitions
Don't fear the Friday: Instead, try a Friday the 13th party theme
Leah Lupo, adjunct professor for Interpersonal Communicaiton at Nassau Community College told Mom.com that, “we feel the need to designate superstitions as a way to either cope, distract, even sometimes protect ourselves from things that have been placed in our historical mindset. The number 12 represents something complete (12 months in the year, 12 numbers on a clock) so the scales tip when you get to 13.”
To change the mindset so that we don’t instill fear in our kids, change the way you treat Friday the 13th. We have an opportunity to debunk the lore by embracing the fun of Friday the 13th in the same ways that we embrace Halloween.
Granted, a party in 2020 will need to be COVID-compliant, meaning we should really stick to social distancing and virtual parties. But you can have a fun superstition party to help kids not fear the day. This is especially fun for anyone who might have a birthday on Friday the 13th.
- Instead of "bad luck," have a "good luck" theme and include things like Lucky Charms cereal and (fake) rabbits feet.
- Cook up this Friday the 13th-themed menu from Epicurious with dishes like Bleeding Heart Cupcakes and Deviled Ham Sandwiches.
- To play a game over Zoom, make superstition game cards testing people’s trivia knowledge about what might bring them bad luck. You might ask where they should never put their shoes or name the animal crossing your path that is bad luck. You and your virtual guests can download a template game card for simplicity. Keep it light and fun and your kids won’t fear Friday the 13th at all.
