With the new iPhone X scheduled to be released soon, we find it appropriate to highlight a few smartphone apps that can make co-parenting easier. We find that the root of many problems between parents stems from communication, or the lack thereof. A parent can feel resentful when left out of the loop, and this resentment can grow and harm other facets of the co-parenting relationship.
With that said, there are a number of apps that can help divorced and separated parents keep track of important pieces of information so that they can avoid toxic disagreements, especially with difficult co-parents.
Talking Parents – While we emphasize the importance of timely communication, some co-parents may not maintain civility or keep a good record of conversations. In high-conflict situations, this app can provide a safe medium for communication that creates a complete record that can be provided to the court.
Cozi- This is a free online calendaring app that goes beyond the capabilities of Google calendar. Parents can include to-do lists, specific instructions, and other helpful notes to assist in co-parenting.
My Family Wizard – Parents may be familiar with this because the desktop version was one of the first communication programs available. But with the proliferation of mobile apps, it was only a matter of time before MFW developed a mobile counterpart. This program keeps a shared calendar and also allows parents to exchange lists of expenses and a joint journal.
Google Calendar – With Google mail (Gmail) becoming a standard among most parents, it is easy to create a calendaring system that keeps track of events and appointments. In some cases, parents may opt to obtain a shared e-mail account that is then provided to all providers and caregivers. Communication is thereby streamlined, and the shared google calendar is limited to just this account.
If you have questions about the best ways to communicate with a co-parent, an experienced family law attorney can advise you.