I previously posted how online resources can help parents better work together, which will benefit their children. Online calendars, like Google Calendar, can help parents (whether living together or apart) keep track of their children's activity schedule, which can be hectic and change frequently.
Parents who are separated or divorced can track the child's physical custody (or visitation) schedule, as seen in this example. Using the calendar in this manner helps both parents will know when the children will be with them on a given day, which helps them arrange transportation for the children's various activities. The online calendar can also document which parent had the child on which day in case a dispute arises later. As an added bonus, the calendars print out nicely (like in this sample).
Another (though less obvious) type of online resource that can assist separated parents are document / spreadsheet applications, such as Google Docs & Spreadsheets. Parents have an obligation to pay certain expenses for their children, such as medical expenses that are not covered by insurance; day care costs; clothing and supplies; extracurricular activities; school lunches; etc. It is surprising how often disputes arise because one parent claims that the other hasn't paid his/her share, only to have that parent claim that he/she never received the necessary information.
By using an online spreadsheet (like this sample) to track this information, the parents can track the cost for any types of items, determine each parent's share, and show whether or not that amount has been paid. Online documents could even be used as a type of journal to exchange necessary information in situations where the parents have severe communication problems.
By using these online resources, parents should be able to minimize or greatly reduce communication problems in the future. Less friction between the parents should result in them having a better working relationship, which will certainly yield happier, better adjusted children. Please share your thoughts on these (and other) online resources in the Comments section below.
