In New Jersey, shared parenting arrangements are becoming the norm for separated and divorced parents of children of all ages.
The traditional every other weekend arrangement is now being replaced by more shared parenting arrangements.
Such arrangements can consist of rotating day and overnight parenting time each week and/or every other week. For instance, 3-3-4-4 days or 2-2-3 days are becoming more common, especially for younger children.
New Jersey family courts are also recognizing the general benefit to children of maintaining frequent contact and communication with both parents.
That being said, parenting with your ex can be challenging at best. Miscommunication and disagreements often occur, which have the potential to lead to court intervention.
All this involves stress not just on separated parents, but importantly on the children. Divorce can be especially hard on them. I know all too well, having myself been a child of divorce.
Fortunately, the following online tools can help parents work together to co-parent their children and stay out of court:
- OurFamilyWizard is an online tool for divorced parents designed to reduce the stress of managing communication across two households.
Significant Features:
- An online calendar to track parenting schedule, share appointment details, and submit requests for changes to parenting time;
- Secure messaging and communications between parents, equipped with a ToneMeter™ to facilitate positive and productive communications;
- Tracking of shared parenting expenses and ability to send documented electronic payments via OFWpay™ to manage co-parenting expenses;
- An information bank to store such important details as medical histories, insurance information, emergency contacts, school schedules, and files; and
- Mobile Apps for iPhone®, Android®, KindleFire® or Blackberry® device.
2. 2Houses has many of the same features as OurFamilyWizard, and can also be used by intact families.
Significant features:
- Interactive calendar to create parenting time arrangements and schedules, such as alternating weekends, 3-3-4-4 days, 2-2-5-5, 2-2-3 days, or customized as needed; and to make schedule change request between parents;
- Management of shared expenses with account balances showing what needs to be paid and by whom; ability to send payment invitations to the other parent;
- Tracking and sharing of information, news, photos, and videos;
- Information bank to share such medical details as allergies and insurance details, and contact details for doctors, coaches, child’s teachers and friends; and
- Ability to create and share to do lists, messages, and notifications with the other parent.
3. Fayr was developed by a divorced father to help co-parents communicate constructively.
Significant Features:
- Tracking expenses, scheduling, messaging and location; and
- Tools for constructive communication, argument diffusion, and emotional support.
It could be very helpful to check out each of these to see which ones work best for your particular needs and the needs of your children.
By taking advantage of the convenience offered by these online tools, separated parents can significantly improve the quality of their co-parenting relationships.
But it is your children who stand to benefit the most.
Which online tool did you find most helpful? I’d love to hear your feedback.