Halloween is a frightfully good time for children who enjoy dressing up, carving pumpkins, and trick-or-treating for candy. If you recently divorced, however, helping your little ghouls and goblins get spooky might present some new challenges. If you are on amicable enough terms, you could share the night. Otherwise, you might have to either split duties or alternate between years. Before you decide on any of these options, take a moment to learn some tips on how to navigate this spine-chilling holiday.
Keep Halloween from Becoming a Scary Night for the Kids
Halloween is about far more than dressing up and going door-to-door for sweet treats. It is a night for creating memories with your children and socializing with friends and neighbors. Although things have changed since your divorce, you and your co-parent should do your best to ensure this night continues to be a fun evening for your children rather than a terrifying night of arguments and fights.
These tips will help you make this an unforgettable time for your children:
- Take the kids out together: Trick-or-treating is not an all-day activity, so try to retract your claws for a few hours to make this evening easier for your children. Instead of focusing on the issues you have with your former spouse, focus on enforcing safety rules. For example, you should make sure they always use crosswalks and do not run out into the street and do not let them dig into their winnings until they return home, so one of you can examine the candy they received, especially if they have allergies.
- Split the day: If you absolutely cannot share trick-or-treating duties with your former spouse, consider splitting the day. Your ex can take them through their neighborhood for an hour and then drop them off at your place for another hour of trick-or-treating fun. Your children might even get double the loot with this arrangement.
- Alternate: Another solution is to alternate between years. You can spend Halloween with your children on even years and your ex-spouse can have them on odd years. That way, neither of you will have to worry about sharing the festivities.
- For those who are not fond of trick-or-treating: If one of you does not care much for trick-or-treating, consider giving Halloween to the parent who enjoys taking the kids out for a candy hunt. You can share other Halloween activities with your kids on another day throughout the month. Consider taking them to a pumpkin patch or a corn maze. There are many month-long Halloween events available for families.
Contact Alternative Divorce Solutions for Compassionate Legal Advice
At Alternative Divorce Solutions, our team is committed to providing innovative paths toward achieving a smooth and amicable resolution to any family law matter you are facing. We understand the sensitivity of these issues and will do what is necessary to ensure you can protect your family’s happiness and stability. You do not have to go through a long or contentious battle to achieve your goals.
Get started on your case today and reach out to us at 949-368-2121 to schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable member of our team.