Children that have separated parents can’t be in two places at the same time. Unfortunately, this means that the parents need to work together to find a way to share their children’s time in a way that provides the most benefit for their children. If the parents can’t figure it out amongst themselves, the children remain at a loss until the Honourable Court can be asked to grant an order concerning their time.
Who gets Halloween?
It depends.
Some separated parents are so commendable for being able to share their children’s time amicably. These parents sometimes make a point of sharing a meal or participating in holiday celebrations together. They’re able to keep things friendly despite not being together because they both want what is best for their children. For Halloween, these parents sometimes decide to both take their children Trick-or-Treating together for their children get to share that experience and those memories with both of them.
Many children are less privileged because their separated parents don’t get along very well. When parents hate each other, they are less co-operative and far from solution-oriented for the benefit their children. Without a court order, special occasions can become a free-for-all. One wicked parent might go running to grab the children early from school or daycare to “win” time for the special occasion that the other parent expected to have parenting time. For Halloween, some parents really are total monsters about it.
Without a court order that specifically includes Halloween parenting time, one parent might refuse to let the children spend even a single Halloween with their other parent. This can be a pretty big disadvantage for children that have other siblings that they want to go trick-or-treating or celebrate with. A parent that refuses to voluntarily share even a single Halloween is not putting their children first. There is no reason whatsoever that one parent should have every single Halloween (especially with young school-aged children) if both parents are willing and able to create those enjoyable memories for their kids.
Can you reason with a witch?
You might find the answer scary.
If Halloween was not shared in a court order, the reality of the situation might be that a wicked parent will decline to even consider giving up their time with the child on Halloween or any other occasion.
Some parents hate their child’s other biological parent so much that they do not want to share even a second more time than what they are compelled to give by a court order. These types of situations demonstrate the importance of having a comprehensive and well-worded parenting order. The Edmonton Family Network recommends working with an experienced professional in these types of situations.
