Halloween with your kids after divorce: Tips you can use

 Posted on October 11, 2019 in Child Custody

When you're a parent of young children, a divorce means an uneasy transition to shared parenting. This often means splitting holidays and other special events — or sharing them.

If you're feeling a little stressed about the situation as you approach Halloween, can you imagine how your children may feel? They are looking forward to the holiday, and they really want both of their parents to celebrate with them. This can be easier than you expect it to be as long as you and your ex-spouse are willing to cooperate a little.

Here are several ways to handle the situation that could make everyone happy:

1. Split the festivities

If your children are going to more than one Halloween event, you and your ex-spouse can split the festivities between you. This works best when the trick-or-treat times in your neighborhood and your ex-spouse's neighborhood are different. (The kids may particularly love this solution because it equals twice the candy and twice the fun!)

2. Share your holiday

If you and your ex-spouse want to celebrate Halloween on the same night, make a deal and divide the trick-or-treat route between you. If your ex-spouse starts the trick-or-treating, he or she can meet you at the halfway point to trade-off. Then, the kids will end their holiday with you. That way, you and your spouse can cooperate without actually having to walk around together.

3. Celebrate together as normal

If you and your ex-spouse are on reasonably good terms with each other, you may be able to handle trick-or-treating together. Even though you're no longer married to your ex-spouse, there's nothing wrong with celebrating the holidays as a family for the kids' sake.

If you haven't discussed the Halloween schedule yet with your ex-spouse, now is definitely time to start. If your child custody and visitation issues become complicated, talk to an attorney about your situation.