9 Problems You Can Solve With a Co-Parenting App
Note: All these details are accurate for one co-parenting app—see the end of the article to discover which one.
Co-parenting involves a lot of tasks and, often, a lot of problems—from juggling responsibilities to disagreeing about the calendar to feeling stressed out. You want to co-parent the best you can, for your child’s sake, but it’s just fraught with challenges.
Here are nine problems you can solve with one simple solution: Use a co-parenting app.
Problem #1: Your co-parenting life is spread over many apps.
Solution: Centralise your co-parenting communication with a co-parenting app.
Some co-parenting apps have everything you need—a parenting time calendar, documented calling, secure messaging, shared expense, information storage and optional GPS check-ins to log your location. Now you do not have to spend time hunting through texts, emails, Instagram and Messenger to see where your co-parent sent you that one message. Or if you usually talk in person, switching to an app means you won’t need to rely on memory.
Plus, there’s no need to synchronise online payments and a spreadsheet, or coordinate between text messages and changes to the parenting time calendar.
If it is from your co-parent, then it is in the co-parenting app. All of it.
Problem #2: Seeing texts from your co-parent stresses you out.
Solution: Compartmentalise to cut down on stress.
When all your communications are within the app, you do not have to look at them until you’re ready. Most co-parenting apps send notifications, and some apps do not show message previews. That way, you will not be disrupted by something upsetting in the middle of the workday or during family time. With some apps, you can even set the notifications to a daily digest, so they do not keep interrupting you throughout the day.
Problem #3: Your children overhear disputes between you and their other parent.
Solution: Keep your disagreements in the co-parenting app, where your children can’t hear or see.
Realistically, if you argue in person, then this can be overheard or witnessed by your children. Conflict between parents can be traumatic and stressful. If discussions are conducted through messaging in a co-parenting app, then your children are not exposed to these disagreements. When a co-parenting app has two-factor authentication it does not show notification previews and you can safeguard your children from witnessing any difficult conversations, even if they borrow your phone.
Problem #4: You worry about demonstrating your perspective in court.
Solution: Use a co-parenting app that automatically documents everything (with no room for manipulation) and access to download court-admissible reports .
For some co-parenting apps, messages can not be edited or deleted. Once a message is sent, it’s a permanent part of the record. The same goes for schedule change requests (even if they are declined), call reports for indirect contact, location check-ins via GPS and expense requests (whether they are refused, accepted, expired or paid)—and more.
When choosing a co-parenting app, consider an app that let's you create a PDF record of activity, is simple and user-friendly. But watch out, because not all co-parenting apps offer free access to reports.
Problem #5: You spend a lot of money on legal bills.
Solution: Use a co-parenting app that keeps communication in one place, with the option of being connected to your family law professional.
Since everything is centrally documented and you can easily generate a PDF report, your family law professional does not have to spend so much time compiling evidence. In fact, you can even grant them access so they can go into the app and get exactly what they need, quickly.
Some apps have a fee, but just think of how much your family law professional chargers per hour. Having a co-parenting app is cost-effective for both you and your co-parent.
A co-parenting app can even help you resolve disputes on your own. For example, many co-parents go back to court when they can not agree on issues relating to the children. However, some co-parenting apps have tools that can help you negotiate changes on your own. You can propose dates and swaps to make changes to a parenting schedule, encouraging co-parents to be more flexible with one another.
Problem #6: It’s hard to prove reliability.
Solution: Document everything—not just conversations but also handovers, schedule changes, expenses and more.
With thorough documentation, it is simple to prove that you’re reliable. If your GPS check-ins match the pickup and drop-off times and location on the calendar, then it is clear that you are there as scheduled. The children can depend on you. Or if you pay expenses on time, the record will reflect that, too.
The record reflects whatever actually happens—it shows the whole truth, putting accountability on each parent.
Problem #7: Communication is rough.
Solution: Remember all communication through a co-parenting app is documented so it is important to be aware of your tone.
With all communication documented, parents are more mindful to be polite and respectful toward each other. After all, your family law professional or even a Judge could see how you communicate with your co-parent. Any concerning, aggressive, humiliating or upsetting communication is permanently documented and admissible in court.
ToneMeter™, a tool exclusive to OurFamilyWizard, also helps keep communications respectful and child-focused. It acts like an emotional spellcheck, highlighting language that could spark or escalate conflict and giving you a chance to rewrite before you send.
Problem 8: Co-parenting is complex—it takes up a lot of room in your mind.
Solution: Use tailor-made tools for co-parents in one central place and reclaim some headspace.
With problems 1-7 solved, or at least a little easier to manage, you will not have to spend so much energy juggling different co-parenting tasks across multiple platforms. Avoid the confusion on what has or has not been agreed upon by using a co-parenting app that has unique features for all co-parenting needs.
Problem #9: Co-parenting makes you anxious.
Solution: Use a co-parenting app to remove a lot of anxiety triggers.
With a co-parenting app, you will experience more positive child-focused communication, reduced conflict and happier children. With a centralised system that cuts through co-parenting complexity, you may even find yourself feeling a lot less anxiety toward co-parenting.
You can not change your co-parent into a different person. However, making a joint decision to communicate through a co-parenting app puts the accountability on each parent to co-parent better.
One simple way to make co-parenting easier
From effective communication to reducing conflict, there are a lot of reasons to try a co-parenting app. OurFamilyWizard is the only co-parenting app to include every feature mentioned in this article.
OurFamilyWizard has a Calendar, Calls, Messages, Expenses, a Journal, an Info Bank and of course, ToneMeter. As the longest-running co-parenting app, OurFamilyWizard has helped co-parents for over two decades.
Considering using OurFamilyWizard?
OurFamilyWizard’s tools and features make co-parenting easier.