2. Pumpkin carving an incredible Jack-O-Lantern. What child (and adult) doesn’t love the squishy feeling of pulling the pumpkin seeds out of the pumpkin, drawing the face and carving it? As a parent, it is important to do things you love to do with your children, regardless if your children are with you during a specific holiday. Carving Jack-O-Lanterns can be a super fun activity with fa-boo-lous pumpkins to display in TWO HOMES!

3. Children get to have fun—WITHOUT GUILT. Sometimes parents who are divorced feel guilty about the time they have or don’t have with their children. They may even make comments that unintentionally communicate their guilt to their children. Saying things like “I wish we could do this every year” or “I wish you were going to be here tomorrow so we could go trick-or-treating together” may leave a child feeling sad or responsible for taking care of you, instead of enjoying the moment. Holidays can be full of fun and joy. Aiming to prevent “boo-hoos” for everyone is a great treat.

4. Best case scenario, put on your costume and go trick-or-treating with your children and your co-parent. This models to your children that their parents are on the same team—the happy child team. When parents are on the same page, decisions are easier and children feel important.