As a parent going through a divorce, you may have questions about what will happen in the future regarding your relationship with your children. This is particularly true if you won’t be living with your children.
Even though many things are sure to change, there are steps you can take to alleviate some of the stress and ensure that you still get to spend as much time as possible with your children.
Above all else, make sure your parenting plan is in order and that you know what’s expected of you and your ex-spouse. This provides the guidance you need in the future.
Also, you should consider all options available to you, including virtual visitation. This is one of the best ways to communicate with your children if you’re unable to regularly see them in person.
There are many forms of virtual visitation, including but not limited to webcams, video conferencing, mobile phones and social media.
Some of the many ways you can use virtual visitation include:
- To see your child’s face in the morning and before they go to sleep
- To read a bedtime story
- To help them with homework from anywhere in the world
- To see a child’s facial expressions when discussing something of importance
- To witness an event live, such as a game or recital
You should never assume that virtual visitation is a replacement for face-to-face engagement, but it can definitely help you better connect with your children after divorce.
How to get started
If virtual visitation is of interest to you, maybe because you don’t live in close proximity to your children, it’s best to think about this when negotiating a parenting agreement in mediation. Letting the other parent know that you’re interested in virtual visitation will ensure that you can hit the ground running when the time comes.
If you neglected to include this in your parenting agreement, you can always discuss the possibility with your ex-spouse. In the event that they don’t agree, you’ll want to learn more about your legal rights and whether you need to go back to mediation to work things out.
Virtual visitation may be in the best interest of both you and your children, so it’s definitely something to consider.