Whether Halloween is filled with spooky rituals, a visit to the pumpkin patch, or trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, no parent wants to miss out on sharing Halloween with their children.
In fact, according to the National Retail Federation, 69% of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween this year.
Halloween for divorced parents can be scarier than a horror movie when they do not get along.
Some parents dread Halloween worrying about fighting with their ex, splitting time with them, or missing out on Halloween altogether if it isn’t their year.
Here are some tips that may alleviate that dread.
Prepare Early for Halloween
Communicate with your ex about who will take the kids out to purchase costumes and who will pay for them. Communication is key. Send them an email or text if you find it difficult to communicate verbally.
Group Trick-Or-Treating
Maybe the idea of trick-or-treating with your ex is too daunting or scary, but if you make it a group adventure, you may be more open to the picture. Make a plan with a group of other parents and children to go trick-or-treating altogether with your ex. This may reduce the awkwardness of not having others to socialize with, and your children will feel special to know they get to spend the holiday with both their parents and their friends.
Plan for Alternate Events
Doubtless, trick-or-treating is fun, but so can all the other spooky events happening around the Halloween season. Consider taking the kids to a Halloween party, haunted house or haunted hayride. If your parenting plan calls for alternating years, this is a great way to create a new tradition with the kids.
If your Parenting Plan has a provision that the parents will decide what to do each year, this is a great backup plan.
Halloween Gift
If you cannot spend Halloween together, a great idea is a Halloween gift for the kids. What child would not love a basket filled with candies and toys?
Share Photos
Keep each other in the loop – share photos of the kids doing various Halloween activities or dressed up in costume. The parent who could not go trick-or-treating will appreciate seeing the kids in costume.
Halloween is a fun time for your kids, something they look forward to.
It is essential to put your feelings and emotions aside and make good co-parenting decisions to make Halloween memorable for your kids. Be cordial and respectful with one another; whether you share Halloween as a family unit or need to arrange to split up the evening, it is important for your kids to enjoy their night.
Make a plan with a group of other parents and children to go trick-or-treating altogether with your ex.