Effective Co-Parenting Communication Methods

Sharing parental responsibilities under custody agreements can be challenging. There are various types of physical custody, and in most cases they involve children splitting time across two households. These arrangements can be difficult to manage and sometimes lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. It is in the children’s best interests for parents to maintain effective and respectful relationships. To achieve that goal, good communication skills are a necessity, and the use of online technology can be a major help in that regard.

Setting clear ground rules for communication at the outset of a custody arrangement can help to minimize the opportunity for disagreements to arise. This includes discussing what methods of communication are preferred and their expectations for frequency of communication, response time, types of information to be shared and any special requests that either parent may have.

For co-parents who are concerned about the possibility of confrontations, or who are looking for a way to keep conversations and information in one place, online communication apps offer effective solutions. Apps such as WeParent and OurFamilyWizard allow co-parents to manage multiple aspects of child custody, including messaging, visitation and event scheduling, information sharing and making requests for payments and reimbursements. The apps can keep parents, children, other family members and the parties’ legal advisers in sync about custody-related issues.

These apps are aimed at promoting harmonious interaction between co-parents, reducing opportunities for conflict and minimizing stress. For example, OurFamilyWizard includes a “ToneMeter” that flags messages that may be perceived as emotionally charged and gives the sender the opportunity to modify them.

If you have recently entered into a custody arrangement, you’ll want to make sure that your co-parenting experience gets off to a healthy start. It is advisable to speak with an experienced family law attorney who is familiar with shared custody arrangements and who can provide guidance about successful communication methods.

At The Law Offices of Jennifer Courtney, P.C., we can help you determine your goals for custody and advocate aggressively to achieve them. To set up a consultation at our office in Yardley, Pennsylvania, please call 215.493.3360 or contact us online.