Tips for Celebrating Halloween as a Co-Parent

Halloween is often a special holiday for children who enjoy basking in the fun of crazy costumes and free candy. For divorced parents, however, there are a lot more tricks to celebrating Halloween than the ones your children get to play when going door to door for treats. Just as you and your co-parent navigate your way through other events, there are ways to celebrate this spooky time of year effectively, so your children can have a fun experience.

Below is a list of some tips that can help you and your co-parent make this a night for your children to remember:

• Plan ahead: Planning head is the universal theme you and your co-parent should incorporate into any holiday or event since it will help prevent any misunderstandings and ensure no one is stepping on anyone’s toes. When people plan ahead, they know what to expect, so do not underestimate its importance. If your parenting plan already accounts for Halloween, then you are pretty much set. If not, then now is the time to sit down and have a talk about your schedules. Maybe one of you is working and will not have an opportunity to take the kids out. Whatever the case might be, do not leave any decision-making for the last minute.

• Share the night: If you and your ex-spouse both love Halloween and happen to live in different neighborhoods, you could opt for two celebrations in one night. Make arrangements to have your children split the evening, so they can have two trick-or-treating experiences in both neighborhoods. Your kids will love having twice the loot and you and your ex-spouse will be able to experience the holiday with them.

• Blend it: If you have a blended family and are comfortable enough to do things together, there is no reason why you should not. Not only does this allow you all to share the Halloween festivities as a family, but it sends a very poignant message to your children – that they are loved and that you are committed to their happiness.

• Change it up: If your situation truly does not allow for the two of you to share the night in any way, you could consider splitting the holiday into separate events. There is no rule book that says you have to celebrate Halloween on the actual day. One of you can take October 30, which is Mischief Night, while the other takes Halloween Night. You can still partake in decorating, pumpkin carving, and binge on sweet treats with the kids.

Of course, if Halloween is simply not a holiday that interests you, you could always give the night to your co-parent and spend it on your own. Just make sure your children understand that you are okay and that you want them to enjoy themselves. Whichever option you end up going for, just make sure you do not ask your children with whom they would rather spend Halloween. It is far too much pressure for them and will only result in them feeling guilty.

Family Law Attorneys in San Diego

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