If you have young children, they are likely to be excited at the prospect of dressing up, trick-or-treating, and carving pumpkins this Halloween. However, for divorced or separated parents, this might cause impending anxiety around how to celebrate the holiday.

Many separated parents focus on family-oriented holidays like Summer and Christmas. However, other holidays like Halloween can be just as important for children.

Johnson Legal Family Law has compiled some guidance around how to ensure your children enjoy October 31st with as little stress as possible.

1. Think about what your children want: Ultimately, your decisions should satisfy the best interests of your children. As much as you would both love to spend this day with them, it should not be at their expense nor should it result in greater stress and anxiety. Consider their wants and needs as you consider your options.

2. Split the day: You could consider splitting the day with your ex-partner. One parent could agree to carve pumpkins and help them with their Halloween costumes on the morning of Halloween and the other could spend the evening trick-or-treating with them.

3. Trick-or-treat together: If you are on relatively amicable terms and can get through an evening without arguing, consider taking the kids out to trick-or-treat together. Not only will this give you both a chance to see your children in their Halloween costumes, but you can also both look out for their safety.

4. Start new Halloween traditions: If you do not plan on taking your kids trick-or-treating, then it would not matter if you spent Halloween with them. You could celebrate with them the day before or after by watching some spooky movies.

5. Alternate with your co-parent: If you both want to spend Halloween with your children and cannot find any other way around it, consider alternating between years. Alternatively, one parent could celebrate Halloween with the children and the other could spend time with them on bonfire night.

What if you can’t reach an agreement?

When events are not planned for or provided for in a parenting plan, deciding who spends time with the children during Halloween and other seasonal events can lead to disputes.

If you need help resolving child arrangements or if you would like to discuss parental rights and responsibilities, we offer all our clients a free, 15-minute consultation call with one of our solicitors to determine how we can help. Call our office on 0131 622 8477, email [email protected] or submit your enquiry here.

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At Johnson Legal Family Law, we understand that seeking Family Law advice can be daunting. However, when you get in touch with us, you will find a tailored, highly personal and reassuring approach which will empower you to take back control.