Keeping the Lines of Communication Open
Every family has a busy schedule and for separated families in two households, life can get complicated. That’s why good communication is so important. Here are some ways separated parents and children can communicate with each other.
Stickers, charts and calendars
For very young children, adjusting to life in two households with new routines and expectations can be tricky.
It can also be stressful, as young children need stability and structure for their emotional development.
A wall calendar or chart showing the days of the week, and where the children are going to be each day can be a handy way for little ones to keep track of what’s happening.
Some parents use different coloured markers for where the children will be on a given day – for example, blue for days with Dad, and red for days with Mum.
For smaller children who can’t read, stickers or photos on a seven-day wall chart can be an easy visual cue.
Parents could include pictures or stickers representing their child’s activities like swimming or daycare, with a photo of mum’s house and dad’s house on a particular day, so the child will know which house they’re going to sleep in, and who is going to pick them up the following day.
This helps gives children a sense of control and order over their lives.
There’s an app for that
For parents and older children, particularly teenagers, communication apps are a great way for everyone to keep in touch.
There are a number of apps for separated families, including:
- Our Family Wizard
Created by divorced couples, Our Family Wizard improves information sharing and communication between separated parents. The app helps manage expenses, track parenting time, updates parents on crucial things like school meetings, and scheduling child custody sessions. The good things about this app is that parents don’t have to involve their children when sending messages to one another, as the parents have a shared calendar that spells out their obligations. - 2Houses
2Houses has an interactive calendar designed for separated parents to synchronise and share information to eliminate scheduling conflicts. The app also has a financial management system that helps parents keep tabs on account balances and shared expenses. It also provides vital information about children, including clothing sizes and blood types. - WeParent
Founded by a psychologist, WeParent aims to eliminate conflicts so that separated parents can focus on bringing up happy and health children. Parents can manage documents, custody schedules, messaging, expenses and appointments. - Our Children
Our Children offers mobile and online communication tools to help co-parents track shared expenses, store up-to-date contact details and improve calendar issues. Our Children has an added advantage because parents can add their children to the account in an effort to enhance parent-child communication. It offers a one-month trial giving parents plenty of time to explore and decide if the app is suitable. - Cozi
Cozi is a user-friendly co-parenting app that allows separated parents to update to-do lists, plan meals and keep track of their children’s school projects and homework assignments. It also features a family journal that helps track your children’s milestones.
Whether your family has an app, a chart, or a wall calendar, open communication is vital for any co-parenting situation. Keeping your children informed and organised can help reduce the amount of stress they’re experiencing.
If you need advice on separation, divorce, parenting plans, or any other aspect of family law, please make an appointment with one of our family law experts. We’re here to help you. Call: (07) 3221 4300 or email: [email protected]
