How to share your kids’ Halloween fun with their co-parent

When you and your children’s co-parent drafted your parenting plan during your divorce, the two of you determined how custody would be split during important holidays. But did you consider Halloween?

Now that it’s around the corner, if you have young children, you’re likely remembering just how important this fall holiday can be to them.

So how are both parents going to share in the fun? There are a number of ways they can do that. The important thing is to work it out between yourselves and not place your kids in the middle of any conflicts. Don’t ask them to choose with whom they want to share the celebration.

Since Halloween is on a weeknight this year, there will no doubt be Halloween events the preceding weekend. That means that one of you can participate in a pre-Halloween activity, while the other one takes them trick-or-treating on Halloween night.

You may decide to take them out separately on Halloween in your respective neighborhoods. Most kids won’t turn down a chance for two rounds of trick-or-treating.

If the two of you have an amicable relationship, you may want to take them out together. They’ll likely enjoy having both of their parents join in their fun.

If you end up being the parent who stays home on Halloween to hand out candy while your ex goes out with the kids, don’t make your children feel bad. Ask them to share their photos (and candy) with you and tell you about their fun. Children should never feel guilty about spending time with their other parent.

If Halloween becomes a source of conflict for you and your ex and your children still have a few years of parent-involved Halloween activities ahead of them, you may want to add this holiday to your parenting plan. You won’t be the first couple to do so. Your Arizona family law attorney can help you.

Source: The Huffington Post, “Halloween Trick or Treat Tips for Parents With Kids of Divorce,” Diane L. Danois, J.D., accessed Oct. 26, 2017