Co-Parenting: The Trick of Making Halloween a Treat for Children of Divorcing/Divorced Parents

Holidays can be overwhelming for families at all stages of separation and divorce. Even for those who co-parent well, kid-centered holidays like Halloween can still present a number of challenges. But it is most important to make sure the children are happy and secure with the knowledge that both parents are there for them.

Here are some tips to help make Halloween a treat for the kids as well as parents navigating any stage of co-parenting.

1. Some parents settle the issue of holiday time with an agreement in their parenting plan to alternate each year. If this is the case for you, try a video chat before going out so everyone can share the joy of seeing the kids in costumes.

2. Some parents may be able to continue to share the holiday and do it together. If you are not comfortable walking around the neighborhood together, there are other options, such as:

Share duties: One parent could take the kids trick-or-treating while the other hands out treats at the house. Then gather with a few friends at the house to bob for apples, drink hot chocolate, eat some treats, and other activities.
Spread it out: One parent helps pick costumes and carve pumpkins. The other does the trick-or-treating.
Split activities: Some communities and schools have Halloween events at times other than the evening of Oct. 31, so the holiday time could be divided with the community event for one parent and neighborhood trick-or-treating for the other.

3. Finally, be sure to share photos/videos of your kids’ activities with each other.

Halloween is often a very exciting time for kids. So, put your adult differences aside and let your kids have fun. Every time you can put your differences aside and co-parent in the best interest of your kids, they will see just how much you love them. And that is the best treat of all!