Years ago, my son went viral Halloween. You can check it out here. It was a great memory and I still watch it every year. How can I help you make some great memories?

Kids love Halloween. Costumes, candy, school parties, trunk-or-treats — it is supposed to be fun. But for divorced parents, October 31 can turn into a Nightmare on Elm Street.

The Parenting Plan Problem

Most Tennessee parenting plans say, “Unless otherwise noted, a holiday begins at 6:00 p.m. the evening before and ends at 6:00 p.m. the evening of the holiday.” That language works fine for Thanksgiving or Memorial Day. But for Halloween, it makes no sense.

• Nobody goes trick-or-treating before dark.
• The holiday ends just as the fun begins.
• Halloween falls on random weekdays, which interrupts school schedules.
• And after about age 13, kids usually stop celebrating anyway.

That is why I often tell clients to leave Halloween out of the parenting plan. The day-to-day schedule works better, with parents sharing in other ways.

Smarter Halloween Solutions

• Share the Moment. If it is not your night, snap a photo of your kid in costume and text it to the other parent.
• Parent of the Year Move. Swing by the other parent’s neighborhood and let the child trick-or-treat a bit there too. Grab a picture of both parents with the kid.
• Flexibility Beats Rigidity. If your plan does give you Halloween with the standard 6:00–6:00 language, consider letting the child stay out later with the other parent. The goal is memories, not minutes.

Where Things Go Wrong

• New significant others show up without warning.
• Parents argue in front of teachers or neighbors at the school carnival.
• One parent holds tight to “their night” instead of letting the kids enjoy both households.

Lawyer Bill’s Advice

Halloween is not about legal victories. It is about costumes, candy, and kids. Do not be a witch or a ghoul. Stick to the parenting plan when you need to, but use common sense and flexibility whenever you can. The candy runs out fast, but the memories last.