Masked people over three feet tall make me jumpy but this Halloween, in an effort to cast off old phobias and embrace the holiday, I decided to go as Super Mom.

Less a costume than a completely new identity, Super Mom was the model of efficiency. She bought her son’s skeleton costume weeks ahead of time to avoid last-minute costume panic. She and her family joined the rest of the New York City metro-area for pumpkin-picking at a farm in New Jersey and she even helped organize a trick-or-treat party for kids in the neighborhood.

All in all, Super Mom was an impressive house guest — nice, polite and friendly. And when the clock struck bath time, she quietly let herself out the front door. Her minivan had not even made it to the end of our street, when a packed-to-the-gill station wagon, piloted by a new and slightly more exciting personae—Pampered Mom—pulled into the driveway with more parent-focused ideas for celebrating Halloween.

Pampered Mom hustled the family into the car and two hours later we were settled into our lovely guest room at the The Seaview Resort and Spa in Galloway, NJ.

Pampered Mom wearily slipped under the high thread-count sheets while her gleeful son bounced on the bed and burrowed into giant pillows.

The next day included 1) a delicious buffet breakfast, 2) a luxurious neck and shoulder massage at the Red Door Salon, and 3) a family hayride. The Seaview’s creatively-executed spooky Halloween events—including a haunted tour of the Seaview’s historic annex—were just enough to get the flavor of the holiday while still giving Pampered Mom the rest and relaxation she was looking for.

We had such a great time at the Seaview that I’m seriously considering ditching the Super Mom concept next year and just hanging with Pampered Mom.

Check out our video (sorry about the audio, it was w-i-n-d-y!)

Seaview Halloween from TravelSavvyMom on Vimeo.

November 17th, 2008 | by Kristy Hall 2 comments