The Benefits of Using Technology to Facilitate Co-Parenting After Separation or Divorce

Whether we like it or not, technology has become a fixture in our lives. It shapes our day to day: how we work, how our kids spend parts of their days and even how we interact with those in our lives. It is everywhere so it should come as no surprise that it has been a way for parents to facilitate co-parenting after separation or divorce.

In fact, there are countless apps out there designed to help you through the trials and tribulations of co-parenting from mediation apps, such as 2houses, to budgeting programs, which 2houses has built in. The main focus of these technologies is to make co-parenting more effective and easier for parents in ways that are beneficial to parents and kids alike.

So what are the benefits of using technology to facilitate co-parenting after separation or divorce? Well, the answer is that that will depend on your family and how you use those technologies. But the even better answer is that there are a number of proven benefits that we will go over in this article.

Keeping Things Organized

The first benefit that we are going to look at is that technology really helps you stay organized as co-parents. If you choose to use a mediation app, you will find a lot of different ways that the technology helps with organizing. For instance, if you go with 2houses, you will be able to upload documents and store them on a folder in the app. This is great for custody documents, medical reports and anything related to the needs of the kids. Both parents will have access to it and it can be easier to access than printing out and placing them in file folders at home.

Having this organization done so easily, you can focus on parenting, which is what most of us want to do.

Helps Plan and Maintain Custody Calendars

Another benefit that you get with technology is that custody schedules and calendars can be in the palm of your hand through your mobile device. Again, looking at 2houses, the calendar allows for an easy way to maintain your calendar with ease. You can program in your custody arrangement as well as appointments, events and so on. When you put the custody arrangements in, you can also add the time and place where the handoffs will be done. This makes planning your day around handoffs much easier since it is all accessible and notifications can send you reminders of when you need to leave.

In addition to scheduling, you can make requests right on the calendar if you need to make a change to the schedule for the week. The other parent will get the alert that you are requesting a change and can respond right on the app. This can help free up time and minimizes any hassle of trying to connect in person for those changes.

Allows you to Communicate Even When You Can’t

Sometimes we can’t communicate as co-parents. This can be for a number of reasons from busy work schedules to periods of high tension for both of you. If you are going through moments in your co-parenting relationship where you are not able to have a conversation without arguing, technology can be a lifeline for several reasons.

First, it allows you to have conversations only about the kids. Second, you can take your conversations away from in person by using texts, emails, private messages or going through communication journal apps. Third, it gives you time to collect yourself. This is a huge benefit because you can walk away when you are communicating through technology, collect your thoughts, deal with any negative emotions and then send a response when you have a clear mind. It helps with furthering conflict.

Gives You Moments to Connect with Your Kids

All parents agree that not being able to see their kids every day is one of the hardest part of being divorced or separated. It’s as much a part of our routine as it is theirs so, of course, there will be moments when its hard, even for the adults.

Technology has a way of making those moments not quite so hard because you can connect with your kids at any time. This can be done by email, text, and messenger as well as through apps that have private photo albums and communication journals like 2houses does. It gives you a sense of being with your kids, even when you are not able to be with them.

It is important to mention that when you are co-parenting, it is important to remember that the time your kids are spending with their other parent is important for their bonding time so don’t cut into it. Instead, let the kids to send the little check ins or agree with your co-parent to send nightly updates and any photos (and vice versa when the kids are with you) so you both can feel connected to your kids, even when they aren’t with you.

Helps you Budget

With two houses, you will find that there are a lot of extra expenses that you need to plan and budget for. This can be a bit overwhelming if you are simply keeping track on paper, but with technology, you can use budgeting programs to keep track of everything from child support payments to shared expenses that you and your ex-partner have for the kids.

In addition to keeping track of everything, you can utilize technology to make payments automatic on a monthly basis. Many banking institutions has ways of making this happen so you can just get it scheduled into your account and then forget about it…except to make sure that you have enough in your accounts to cover it.

As you can see, technology has a range of benefits that you, your kids and your ex-partner can all enjoy. Co-parenting can be easier; you can be more organized and both of these benefits will allow you to focus on your kids and the time that you spend together.