Being a parent isn’t always easy, especially if you and your child’s other parent are no longer together. Whether you are divorced or separated, if you and your child’s other parent share parenting time and responsibilities, working things out together is probably quite challenging. Between scheduling changes, alimony payments, vacation plans, and child support, there are plenty of topics co-parents need to communicate about on a regular basis.
Luckily, in this day and age, there are several mobile applications geared towards helping parents work together for a more civil, even harmonious, relationship in the best interest of their children.
If you co-parent, consider how any of the following apps could help you:
1. SharedCare
Ideal for parents who want to stay connected, SharedCare allows both caretakers to upload, share, and request information about their child. The app includes a shared calendar where parents can include school schedules, appointments, vacations, and other events. This shared calendar also enables parents to outline their parenting schedule, specifying which parent has care responsibilities on which day. For the sake of convenience, the app also includes an expense tracker and allows all parties to share new information, photos, and events with the other caretaker. The app permits several caretakers to access the app, which makes it ideal for families who wish to involve stepparents or grandparents.
2. Cozi
Cozi is also primarily a shared calendar app, but it also offers several other features to help keep co-parenting families organized. While this application isn’t specifically geared towards co-parenting, its extensive tools has made it immensely popular among separated and divorced parents. Within the app, parents can create a color-coded calendar, set reminders, and email the agendas to themselves or to the other parent. The app also features a to-do list, shopping list, family journal, and allows parents to share their child’s favorite recipes.
3. Our Family Wizard
Originally a popular family help website, Our Family Wizard is now also a mobile application. Through the app, users are able to use a color-coded shared calendar to make custody plans easy to find, and it even allows parents to list pick-up and drop-off times. Parents can also use the app to keep shared records of their child’s immunization records, allergies, emergency contacts, and other important details. Through the app, parents can also track their child’s expenses and message one another directly within the app.
4. 2Houses
Parents who share custody often have more details to discuss than parents who have a sole custody arrangement. For parents looking to nail down the details, the shared calendar feature in the 2Houses app could be invaluable. The app allows parents to outline their child’s schedule in detail, share photos, manage expenses, exchange education details, and more.
5. CoParently
The CoParently app is great for parents who want everything organized and gathered in one place. Although a subscription is required, this application features a convenient shared calendar for both parents to access and change as need be. Parents are also able to track expenses, update contact information, and upload important documents, such as medical records or report cards. One of the best features of this app is that it is available online and via the mobile app, so parents can access their information whether they’re at home or on the go. Also, they may link their children into the app so that they can communicate with both parents about important issues. If, for example, your child needs to be picked up early from school, they can use the app to let both parents know.
Co-parenting is rarely easy, especially if you and your ex don’t agree on much. Fortunately, these parenting apps, and several others, can help you and your co-parent stay organized, stick to your parenting schedule, and communicate more efficiently. However, sometimes these simpler solutions aren’t enough. If you and your co-parent are having trouble navigating major parenting decisions, or if you want to modify your custody arrangement, our firm may be able to help.
Contact Smith Law Offices, LLC to discuss your child custody or visitation case with our experienced St. Charles family attorneys.