Five Ways Technology Can Help You Co-Parent Better
Technology is changing co-parenting relationships for the better. Co-parenting requires cooperation, communication and consistency. A good co-parenting relationship takes work and will evolve over time based on the growth and development of the child(ren). Technological advances have not only made our individual lives better but can help improve co-parenting relationships.
Here are several ways technology can improve your co-parenting relationship:
Shared Digital Calendars
Scheduling parenting time, holiday travel plans, and extra-curricular activities is made easier with the use of a shared digital calendar. A digital shared calendar encourages the involvement by both parents in the child’s activities and events, mitigates scheduling conflicts, and supports transparency between co-parents related to the child’s schedule and activity involvement. Co-parents should each be responsible for inputting information on the shared calendar so that both parents, and not just one, have a vested interest in following and maintaining the calendar. As the child gets older, they too can participate in maintaining the shared digital calendar by inputting their activities or events.
Video Chat Programs and Mobile Applications
Video chat programs and Apps make connecting with your child more personal than a phone call. While co-parents should set video chat parameters to ensure privacy for the child and each co-parent, video chats are a great way to connect with your child when an in-person connection is not possible. Co-parents of a young child may find communicating with via video chat is much easier than via audio because the child can see you and not just hear your voice. However, co-parents should reach agreement on video chat protocols to limit miscommunication and to maintain personal boundaries.
Substance Abuse Tools
Technological advances can now help co-parents manage substance abuse concerns including, but not limited to, tracking alcohol and drug consumption, preventing the use of a vehicle, and reporting usage. If substance abuse is a concern, then co-parents should consider using a program such as Soberlink as part of their co-parenting plan. A good co-parenting relationship will use the necessary substance abuse support tools to not only protect the well-being of the child(ren) but to support and encourage the co-parent on his or her sobriety journey.
Communication Programs
Communication is critical to establishing maintaining a good co-parenting relationship. Co-parents should decide on the primary non-emergency way they will communicate with one another regarding parenting matters (e.g., parenting schedule changes, appointments, financial matters) to limit miscommunication. Today, co-parents have many options to communicate with one another in a healthy and productive way including text messaging, emails, or specialized co-parenting communication programs such as Talking Parents, Our Family Wizard, or DTour.Life. Similarly, co-parents should identify emergency communication procedures well before an emergency occurs.
Online Banking & Financial Tools
Co-parenting often involves figuring out the payment of certain expenses on behalf of the child. Online banking and financial tools make tracking expenses, submitting reimbursements, and making expense payments easier and transparent. Whether opening a joint access online banking account for the child’s expenses or using a co-parenting program which tracks expense payments and reimbursements, co-parents should embrace technology as part of their co-parenting relationship especially when money is involved.
Technology is ever evolving and becoming an intricate part of our lives. The use of programs and mobile applications can increase accountability, transparency and consistency in communication between co-parents. Co-parenting takes work but incorporating certain systems into the co-parenting relationship can positively impact the co-parenting relationship.
