Virtual visitation has become an increasingly common way for those who co-parent their children to maintain strong parent-child relationships when those children are residing with their other parent – whether for a night or months at a time.
Essentially, virtual visitation offers parents a way to stay connected with their children through technology like video calls, messaging apps and shared online activities. Yet, most of the time – given the complexities of modern scheduling specifically and parenting generally – to make these arrangements effective and beneficial, careful planning and clear agreements are relatively necessary.
Tips and tricks that can help
If you co-parent with your ex and you’re either drafting a parenting plan or you already have one in place, know that including virtual visitation terms in that enforceable document can help to set expectations for everyone affected. For example, it can help to outline:
- The frequency and duration of virtual visits
- The platforms or tools to be used (e.g., Zoom, FaceTime, Caribu, Skype, etc).
- Who initiates calls and at what times
Including these details in your parenting plan can help to ensure that both parents have clear expectations, which can minimize the likelihood of conflict related to virtual communication down the road.
Additionally, you’ll want to keep in mind that regularity can help to make virtual visitation arrangements successful. You’ll (ideally) want to schedule calls during predictable times that align with your child’s routine, such as after school or before bedtime. Consistency can help your child (and your ex) view virtual visitation as a normal and reliable part of their life.
Virtual visitation can bridge the gap when your child is with your ex. As such, by establishing clear terms, respecting schedules and making the experience enjoyable for your child, virtual visitation can become a valuable feature of your co-parenting arrangement.