Can Virtual Visitation Support Your Relationship With Your Child? 

CAN VIRTUAL VISITATION SUPPORT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CHILD? 

With summer vacations in full swing, children and parents who are subject to parenting agreements and orders often miss out on regularly scheduled contact with both parents.

Virtual visitation can enhance contact between a Parent and Child. I recently attended a webinar offered by Our Family Wizard ( ourfamilywizard.org )  titled “Virtual Visitation: Navigating Screens, Schedules, and Sippy Cups with a Smile.”

Virtual mediation and enhanced visitation using technology can be valuable tools for maintaining and strengthening parent-child relationships, especially when in-person contact is limited. Here’s an overview of these concepts:

Virtual Mediation:

This involves using video conferencing or other online platforms to conduct mediation sessions between separated or divorced parents. Benefits include:

1. Convenience: Parties can participate from different locations.
2. Cost-effective: Reduces travel expenses and time.
3. Neutral environment: May help reduce tension between parties.
4. Flexibility: Easier to schedule around work and other commitments.

Enhanced Visitation:

This refers to using technology to supplement or improve traditional visitation arrangements. Methods include:

1. Video calls: Regular scheduled video chats between the non-custodial parent and child.
2. Virtual activities: Shared online games, reading stories, or watching movies together remotely.
3. Digital communication: Messaging apps, email, or social media for frequent, casual interactions.
4. Virtual attendance: Using video calls to allow a parent to “attend” important events like school performances or sports games.

Benefits of enhanced visitation:

• Maintains consistent contact when physical distance is an issue
• Allows for more frequent interaction than traditional visitation schedules
• Can help strengthen bonds between parents and children
• Provides flexibility for busy schedules

-Can provide build in safety measures when required

-Allows for 3^rd party facilitators to supervise such contacts when needed

 

Considerations:

• Ensure both parents have access to necessary technology
• Establish clear guidelines for virtual visitation in custody agreements
• Be mindful of age-appropriate screen time for children

-Allows for recording of the visitation according to agreement or court order

• Maintain privacy and security when using online platforms.

The Law and Mediation Office of Helene Bernstein, PLLC, may offer assistance in determining how virtual tools may be implemented in order to facilitate contact between the parent and child either as an attorney, mediator, or parent coordinator. Moreover, a detailed court order or agreement delineating the rights, responsibilities of each parent and the authority of any third party supporting the process can enhance to protect the integrity of virtual visitation. Feel free to schedule a call with Helene Bernstein at www.hbernsteinlawandmediation.com in order to discuss your options.

#virtualvisitation, #childcustody #mediation #familycourtattorney #parentcoordination

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