Parents who share physical custody or time with their children often focus on when they can be physically present with their children. Optimizing their in-person parenting time is frequently a priority during custody negotiations. They often negotiate intensely to ensure that they have as much time as possible with the children, as well as a share of legal custody to have a say in their upbringing.
However, parents may also want to consider establishing standards for virtual visitation. Doing so can help protect the crucial connection between parents and children, especially if individual parenting time durations stretch for entire weeks or longer.
What is virtual visitation?
Virtual visitation involves using video chat software or other electronic systems to interact with children who are with their other parent. Virtual visitation is a common inclusion in parenting plans for military families and for those who share custody across state lines.
It can be equally beneficial for parents who live in the same state and see their children regularly. If the children spend an entire week with one parent during winter break or summer vacation, virtual visitation provides an opportunity for the other parent to check in and have face-to-face interactions with their children.
What rules are standard?
Typically, parents integrating provisions for virtual visitation into their custody orders establish guidelines. They may agree to a specific platform that they use for virtual visitation. Rules regarding the timing of calls, such as scheduling them in the evening after dinner but before bedtime, are standard.
Parents may even impose limits on how long virtual visitation lasts to prevent it from interfering with the other parent’s time with the children. Sessions that last roughly an hour are usually adequate for maintaining the parent-child bond. Even shorter video chats can be enough to help the children feel cared for and connected. When children are young and emotionally vulnerable or when parents have longer parenting sessions, virtual visitation can be beneficial for the family.
Adding the right terms to a parenting plan can help set a family up for success when parents share child custody. Virtual visitation rules can help parents stay connected to their children and avoid disputes about communications during one another’s parenting time.
