Feb 4
4 min read
The Best Tools for Co-Parenting
To effectively co-parent, you’ve got to learn to communicate with your ex. Here are seven online and mobile tools to try.
To effectively co-parent, you’ve got to learn to communicate with your ex, even though you’ve likely experienced conflict in the past.
That’s one reason lots of divorced parents have turned to online communication tools for co-parenting seamlessly and with much less conflict. In addition, sometimes the court will order (or your attorney will recommend) that you use a communication tool to keep everything smooth for your kids.
Here are seven online and mobile tools to try.
1. 2houses
What it is: 2houses is an online tool with iPhone and Android apps that allows co-parents to manage custody arrangements and shared expenses, as well as create a central repository for photo albums, addresses, doctor and dentist contact information, clothing sizes and more. It also has a shared journal feature to track notes and share information.
What it costs: After a free 14-day trial, it’s $9.99 a month with all features for the whole family (based on an annual contract payment).
Quick Tip: Invite your children and other family members to access the platform by clicking on “My family”; they’ll receive an email with a link prompting them to create a password.
2. Coparently
What it is: Coparently offers both online and mobile tools so co-parents can coordinate calendars, track shared expenses, store up-to-date contact information and communicate more clearly.
What it costs: The solution costs $99 per year, per parent, or $9.99 a month.
Quick Tip: The highly-rated tool comes with a simple, easy-to-use interface, which will likely make using it a breeze for you and your ex (according to many reviewers).
What it is: OurFamilyWizard features shared calendars, messaging and a way to track expenses.
What it costs: There are three pricing plans starting at $99 a year to more than $200 depending on what features you choose. There are scholarships and discounts for military families.
Quick Tip: This tool, whose tagline is “Create clear communication and end the ‘he said/she said,’ also has a function where attorneys, therapists and the court can log in to view the information each parent posts.
What it is: This tool is designed to create a record for all communications with your ex if you’re co-parenting, in case either of you need to supply proof of correspondence to the courts.
What it costs: The tool is free to use, but downloading a record of your communications costs $3.99 per download or $4.99 per month.
Quick Tip: For parents involved in high-conflict or domestic violence situations, the courts may order them to communicate through a tool like TalkingParents. Parents don’t need each other’s telephone number or email address to communicate with each other.
5. Cozi
What it is: Cozi is a shared calendar that’s accessible both on the web and as an app.
What it costs: Free
Quick Tip: Cozi can help you coordinate everyone’s schedules, track grocery lists and manage to-do lists. You can use the shared Family Journal to record events and information, and also send automated updates from it via email to close friends and family.
What it is: From your desktop or phone, you can easily schedule activities and get reminders so you always know what’s next. Google Calendar is designed for teams (or families), so you can share schedules and even create multiple calendars that you can share with others.
What it costs: Free
Quick Tip: You can also add notes to each event, so if your ex isn’t attending your son’s football game, add the final score in the notes – add an asterisk to the event title so you both know there are notes to read.
7. Life360
What it is: Life360 is a family locator app that lets you see each person’s location on a map through GPS, in addition to a messaging system. If one parent is running late, the other can see where they are. This could be a useful tool that you employ in addition to a communication or calendar app.
What it costs: Free, with in-app purchases
Quick Tip: The tool comes equipped with a crash-response system, which automatically detects when a car accident occurs and calls the person involved. The services also includes dispatching emergency services to the location and notifying emergency contacts about the situation.
If you need help with a family law matter, our attorneys at Smedley Law Group can provide you with the professional advice you need to make an educated decision. Schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today.
