Puja Sachdev | October 30, 2024 | Child Custody
Halloween is often overlooked as parents negotiate a parenting plan and time-sharing agreement because most parents focus on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthdays. However, Halloween is a favorite holiday for most kids. It is great fun to dress up and go trick-or-treating. Parents do not want to miss out on these special events.
Unfortunately, if you overlook Halloween in your custody order, child custody on Halloween could cause issues as the day approaches. Even if you alternate child custody for Halloween, a parent misses the festivities every other year.
Halloween should be fun for children. Therefore, the focus should be on what will make the day fun for them and how to avoid conflicts between parents. San Diego Divorce Lawyers, APC has six tips for resolving child custody issues on Halloween include:
- Schedule Trick-or-Treating in Shifts
Children will not mind going trick-or-treating twice in one night. Parents can agree to take the kids in shifts. A parent spends 45 minutes in their neighborhood, and the other parents picks up the child for 45 minutes of trick-or-treating through their neighborhood.
- Go Trick-or-Treating Together
This option only works when parents can be together with their children without conflict. If so, the children may enjoy time with both parents, and each parent will get to participate in Halloween fun.
- Host a Halloween Party
Schedule a party for your child the week before Halloween. Plan fun activities for them and their friends. You may want to decorate cookies, have a Halloween pinata, play games, and have a costume contest.
- Attend a Fall Festival or Trunk-or-Treat
Many churches and organizations host Fall Festivals each year. They have games, trick-or-treating, food, and other activities for children. Many of these events are held on days other than Halloween, so parents without custody can still celebrate with their children.
- Use Video Chat to See Costumes
Schedule a video chat with your child to see their costume if you do not have custody on Halloween. They can tell you about trick-or-treating and other activities they did that day.
- Create New Traditions
On your regular visitation before Halloween, bake cookies, have pizza, and watch a Halloween movie. Make this a tradition on the years that you alternate Halloween with your child’s other parent.
You can find Halloween celebrations throughout October. Being flexible and willing to adopt alternative ways to celebrate the holiday can help you and your children have fun regardless of the custody situation.
Your Child’s Well-Being Is the Priority
Your goal at Halloween is to create a fun and positive experience for your children. Allowing child custody issues to interfere with your children’s well-being defeats that goal. You might detest your ex-partner, but they are your child’s other parent. For your children, spending time with both parents is special.
If you find spending time or talking to your ex-partner stressful, consider using a mediator or family law attorney to negotiate holiday schedules. Having another party mediate the discussions can help parents focus on what is best for their children instead of their personal feelings about each other.
Can I Modify an Existing Child Custody Order in San Jose, CA?
Changes in circumstances may require a modification of child custody and visitation. The schedule may no longer work because a child’s needs change or the parents have different work schedules. It is important to remember that agreements between parents are not enforceable unless the court issues an order.
If you and your ex agree to changes in child custody, you can file a Stipulation & Order with the court. If the judge finds the changes are in the child’s best interests, the court will enter the order modifying custody.
The other option is to file a motion with the court requesting a modification. The parent filing the motion must prove that a change in circumstances justifies modifying the current custody order. The court considers numerous factors to determine whether to modify custody, including if the change will benefit the child’s well-being and overall best interests.
Contact Our Family Law Firm in San Diego, CA. Call us at (619) 866-3756
Contact our experienced San Diego divorce lawyers at San Diego Divorce Lawyers, APC, today for legal assistance. Contact us at (619) 866-3756 to schedule a free consultation.
We proudly serve throughout San Diego County. We are located in San Diego, California.
San Diego Divorce Lawyers, APC
2851 Camino del Rio S #430
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 866-3756
