Online tools take the sting out of co-parenting with ex-spouses

California families may be familiar with child custody issues, which can be one of the main concerns of people who are going through a divorce. Custody affects the parental rights of people and also influences how they can raise their children effectively by means of co-parenting and visitation arrangements. Though child custody is categorized in different ways, decisions should be made in the best interests of the child.

To make joint child custody work, parents play the most important role. However, due to the fact that parents may have different ideas about how they want to raise their children, conflicts and disagreements may occur. To avoid fighting in person, divorced parents are increasingly turning to technology.

Technology allows couples to plan visitation schedules and children’s activities without personal interaction with their former spouse. When divorced parents are forced to see their previous partners personally, this can lead to confrontations and fights.

Due to this potential for conflict, parents can coordinate with each other through online calendars and emails. This kind of setting is considered joint custody at a distance. Parents may communicate through emails when it comes to pickups, drop-offs, activities and other events. Communicating electronically lets divorced parents talk and settle arrangements until they mutually agree. Online calendars can detail plans that may save parents from disputes. Technology lessens the emotional conflicts of joint custody because it is more detached and helps prevent the children from seeing their parents’ arguments.

Technology brings convenience to people in many different ways, including parenting for divorced parents. On the other hand, regardless of what type of communication technology they may prefer, effective parenting can only be achieved if both parents cooperate.

Source: TheSpec.com, “Joint custody from a distance,” Pamela Paul, Dec. 21, 2012