Being a parent is already challenging. Co-parenting with someone to whom you used to be married can be even more difficult. If you are recently separated or divorced and you intend to share parental responsibilities and parenting time, you may be looking for ways to make the co-parenting process easier for you and your children. Fortunately, co-parenting is not what it used to be. In the age of smartphones, social media, and video chatting, there are more ways than ever to hone your co-parenting approach and improve your relationship with your children.
Use an Online Calendar to Keep Track of Your Parenting Time Schedule
Google Calendar, Calendly, and iCloud Calendar are just some of the many online calendars you can utilize to organize parenting time. Although your parenting plan will describe a parenting time schedule, everyone knows that circumstances change. Inevitably, a parent may need to trade days. Keep track of parenting time schedules, school events, birthday parties, and other events using a shared online calendar.
Consider a Co-Parenting Application
Did you know that there are smartphone applications designed to help co-parents manage child-related schedules and information? Apps like Cozi, WeParent, Coparently, and OurFamilyWizard allow parents to keep track of to-do lists, child-related expenses, schedules, and other important information. Using an app like this ensures that both parents have access to the information needed. Furthermore, digital communication can minimize potentially stressful phone calls or in-person discussions between co-parents who do not get along.
Use Video Chatting or Facetime to Communicate with Kids
Understandably, children can sometimes struggle to adapt to spending time with only one parent at a time. Parents also struggle with missing their children during the other parent’s parenting time. Facetime, Skype, Zoom, and other video chatting programs can help parents connect with their children even if they are not in the same physical location. However, make sure that you and other parent are following the provisions in your parenting plan regarding parent-child communication during the other parent’s parenting time. Setting boundaries about how and when parents will video chat with the child can help eliminate contention.
Contact a Crystal Lake Divorce Lawyer
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Source:
https://www.parents.com/parenting/best-co-parenting-apps/