6 Feb 2023
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Co-parenting can be difficult, but the most important thing is the children involved feeling safe, supported, and loved.
Problems between co-parents often occur due to a lack of communication and an inevitable complicated diary. Who’s on pick-up duty, when they have swimming lessons, who is on holiday when, what weekends are they staying with me, who needs to pay for their new school shoes, etc. All of these various activities become harder when co-parenting, but some of this is now being made easier by co-parenting apps.
There are now numerous apps online that co-parents can download to make the situation more manageable.
| Pros of co-parenting apps | Cons of co-parenting apps |
|---|---|
| Sync up calendars and schedules | Arguments could be caused by misuse of the app |
| Log and track expenses | Cannot tackle concerns of neglect or child arrangement violations etc (not a substitute for legal support). |
| Store critical documents e.g., legal agreements and medical records | May discourage parents from speaking to each other face-to-face which children like to see (when productive). |
| Make requests to the other party | Concerns around privacy for both the parents and the child if their schedule/details are on the app |
| Pay child support | Not necessarily needed if co-parents are able to communicate – extra hassle |
| Receive reminders for important dates | Can be an unnecessary expense |
| Connect with professionals like counsellors etc. | |
| Can make co-parenting easier to navigate | |
| Ensure parenting time plans are agreed and enforced | |
| Reduces amount of conflict and time spent in court rooms or mediation | |
| Messages cannot be modified and they are date and time stamped – can help to reduce aggressive or insulting messages | |
| Create a clear and simple communication method |
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Sync up calendars and schedules
Cons of co-parenting apps:
Arguments could be caused by misuse of the app
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Log and track expenses
Cons of co-parenting apps:
Cannot tackle concerns of neglect or child arrangement violations etc (not a substitute for legal support).
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Store critical documents e.g., legal agreements and medical records
Cons of co-parenting apps:
May discourage parents from speaking to each other face-to-face which children like to see (when productive).
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Make requests to the other party
Cons of co-parenting apps:
Concerns around privacy for both the parents and the child if their schedule/details are on the app
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Pay child support
Cons of co-parenting apps:
Not necessarily needed if co-parents are able to communicate – extra hassle
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Receive reminders for important dates
Cons of co-parenting apps:
Can be an unnecessary expense
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Connect with professionals like counsellors etc.
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Can make co-parenting easier to navigate
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Ensure parenting time plans are agreed and enforced
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Reduces amount of conflict and time spent in court rooms or mediation
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Messages cannot be modified and they are date and time stamped – can help to reduce aggressive or insulting messages
Pros of co-parenting apps:
Create a clear and simple communication method
Apps for co-parenting can be invaluable tools if they are appropriate for your situation. They can reduce conflict, create clearer channels of communication, and ensure that the child’s life remains as smooth as possible whatever parent they are with at the time. However, the apps cannot solve core disagreements or concerns about co-parenting your child.
If you are unable to resolve an issue, need more information on how to co-parent, or have concerns about your child’s welfare, call one of our experienced family lawyers today.
