[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/halloween-for-divorced-parent\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/halloween-for-divorced-parent\/","headline":"Halloween Tips for Divorced Parents","name":"Halloween Tips for Divorced Parents","description":"Excitement is building for the kids.\u00a0Costume shopping is happening. But what if this is the first year that you are a single parent? Most parents don\u2019t really think much about Halloween when they are deciding on a parenting time schedule.\u00a0Does your\u00a0parenting time\u00a0schedule address Halloween as a holiday? It could; maybe it should!\u00a0 If it does […]","datePublished":"2020-10-28","dateModified":"2025-09-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/author\/james-kraayeveld\/#Person","name":"James Kraayeveld","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/author\/james-kraayeveld\/","identifier":29,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f327c36375f93cacc1f5818cbd6ca5f9c1c362ddf86682a8d1f0adac2b1f6198?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f327c36375f93cacc1f5818cbd6ca5f9c1c362ddf86682a8d1f0adac2b1f6198?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Kraayeveld Family Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Kraayeveld-Logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Kraayeveld-Logo.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cta-image-attorneys.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cta-image-attorneys.jpg","width":454,"height":599},"url":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/halloween-for-divorced-parent\/","about":["General"],"wordCount":550,"articleBody":"Excitement is building for the kids.\u00a0Costume shopping is happening. But what if this is the first year that you are a single parent? Most parents don\u2019t really think much about Halloween when they are deciding on a parenting time schedule.\u00a0Does your\u00a0parenting time\u00a0schedule address Halloween as a holiday? It could; maybe it should!\u00a0 If it does not, here are some ideas how to make the best of it.Deal With It.Even if your court order does not address Halloween, you are still allowed to address it.\u00a0You are not just allowed to address it, but in most situations, a parent should address it.\u00a0Even if you want to ask for or offer some extra time, and you expect the other parent will reject your request or offer, you still should give it a try.\u00a0Your request will signal to the other parent that you care; your request via text will build a record for future legal proceedings that you want to co-parent or spend time with your child.Create Twice the Fun.If you and your ex live in the same city, why not allow your child to trick-or-treat in both parents\u2019 neighborhoods. Double the candy.\u00a0 Double the bonding.\u00a0Do you think your ex will blame you for that offer at the next court hearing? The judge will certainly give you credit.Take the Jump.If you have a decent co-parenting relationship, invite your ex to go trick-or-treating together. It will be awkward, but it sends a message to your children that you are willing to live through the awkwardness for the sake of being committed to your child.\u00a0Remember, children learn from your actions.Offer Alternatives to Activities Together.Think outside the box to make this a memorable event for both parents and especially your child. Even if Halloween itself is insufficient time for your child to spend time at both houses, there are often many other Halloween events, such as trunk-or-treat events at businesses, churches, and schools.If you are just not able to attend the same events, maybe one parent can attend a school event or have some time to decorate the house and carve pumpkins, and the other parent gets time to go trick-or-treating.Whatever you do, discuss it, and don\u2019t ignore the other parent, because that\u2019s basically the same as ignoring your child.Beyond the Parents.If your ex lives far away or doesn\u2019t want to be involved, don\u2019t ignore the extended family. Send the grandparents some photos of the kids in costumes. Is it odd to reach out for the first time?\u00a0Yes, it might be.\u00a0Will they reject your palm branch? Maybe. Will you feel better for doing the right thing?\u00a0You should!If You End Up Alone With the Kids on Halloween.Don\u2019t punish your kids for your ex\u2019s poor co-parenting.\u00a0If possible, send your kids a text wishing them a great time. They may respond with some photos of their loot. Ask them afterwards about their outfit, if they got a lot of candy, and avoid the conflict. Keep a journal of what happened. If the lack of co-parenting is a continuing problem, call our\u00a0child custody attorneys\u00a0at\u00a0616-285-0808\u00a0to establish more specificity in your parenting time order."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Halloween Tips for Divorced Parents","item":"https:\/\/www.kraayeveld.com\/blog\/halloween-for-divorced-parent\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]