Co-parenting apps have risen in popularity in recent years as Wisconsin parents search for effective and healthy ways to communicate with their co-parent about their children. Co-parenting apps are also often a good solution to situations involving frequent miscommunication or harassment by one or both parents.
A co-parenting app is a digital tool that allows co-parents to communicate in one centralized place. In addition to communication, most co-parenting apps have helpful features that help with organization and scheduling.
Common co-parenting app features
Common features within co-parenting apps include a calendar to keep track of children’s appointments and obligations and the ability to upload and view documents related to the children, such as report cards or medical documentation.
Co-parenting apps can also help with tracking expenses. For example, if you and your co-parent are required to share the cost of extracurricular activities and you pay for your son’s sports registration, you can upload a registration receipt to a co-parenting app and request reimbursement.
Advantages of a co-parenting app
There are many benefits to using a co-parenting app. Communication is easier and organization improves. The ability to keep a record of financial matters reduces conflict. Keeping all communication in an app prevents miscommunication since it is harder to miss messages if they are always sent through the same secure method.
Another major benefit to a coparenting app is some apps can be used as evidence in custody court. Depending on the situation, sometimes family court judges are able to login to the app themselves and view each parent’s messages.
Knowing that a judge could potentially read everything they say often keeps parents honest and amicable when communicating with each other. If you are trying to co-parent with a habitual liar or the victim of constant harassment by your co-parent, a co-parenting app might be just what you need.
Disadvantages of a co-parenting app
However, there are some disadvantages to co-parenting apps. Because they make communication so easy, you and your co-parent risk becoming too dependent on the app.
Even if you are in a high-conflict custody situation, sometimes situations are too complex to be discussed only via writing. The ease of using the co-parenting app might discourage you from speaking face-to-face with your co-parent when necessary. Relying on the co-parenting app could further complicate a situation that could be resolved with a quick in-person conversation.
If you are a private person or concerned for your children’s privacy, you may not like the idea of your personal details, children’s schedule and communications being available on the app.
Do you really need a co-parenting app?
Just because co-parent apps have benefits does not mean they are necessary for every parent. If you and your co-parent have little to no trouble communicating via other methods, a co-parent app might complicate a situation that was working just fine.
Finally, some co-parenting apps come with a fee. Even if you would like to use one, you may not be able to afford one. You may not have a choice if a court orders you to use one, but if you are worried about the cost, you could request to use one without a fee.
When the choice is up to you, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of using a co-parenting app before deciding if it is right for your situation.
