Co-parenting after a separation or divorce can be undeniably challenging. Thankfully, modern technology is empowering co-parents to develop healthy arrangements in ways that would have been unheard of just a few decades ago. For example, virtual visitation, which allows parents to stay connected with their children via digital communication tools, can help make co-parenting less stressful in a number of ways.
One of the main advantages of virtual visitation is that it allows parents to maintain regular contact with their children, regardless of what their parenting time schedule specifics may be. Whether a child sees each parent regularly or they face extended periods apart, virtual “visits” can provide a sense of closeness and continuity.
Regular communication is important for building strong parent-child relationships, and virtual visits can help keep those connections from fraying. And, as anyone who has ever co-parented knows, when parents feel close to their kids and involved in their lives, they’re less likely to pick fights with their co-parent out of sheer frustration with how hard it can be to live away from one’s kids for any length of time.
Additional potential benefits of such arrangements
Additionally, when kids know that they can see and speak to each parent regularly, this can help reduce anxiety inspired by co-parenting arrangements. Co-parenting isn’t just stressful for adults. It’s often stressful for kids as well. Utilizing virtual visitation arrangements thoughtfully can help children of all ages to manage their family dynamics in healthy ways.
Finally, virtual visitation can also make communication between co-parents smoother, if co-parents opt to communicate with each other before or after “visits” begin, and these interactions are purposefully calm. With more opportunities to stay in touch, parents can coordinate schedules, discuss important matters and make joint decisions without the added stress of face-to-face meetings. This can help minimize misunderstandings and ensure that both parents are on the same page when it comes to their children’s care.
Co-parenting is stressful. Thankfully, it can be less stressful than it otherwise might be when parents use technology to their advantage.