"For today's co-parents who are separated or divorced, communication with their children doesn't end when the parenting time schedule switches to the other parent. More often than not, custody agreements build in video calls-Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet-between parents and children. These video calls are a routine way for parents to stay connected with their children, but the truth is that they can often be fraught with difficulties. Sometimes they even result in court intervention."
"When both parents are supportive, virtual communication can be a great addition to the custody arrangement and enhance the child's relationship with their parents. It can be a time for the child and the parent to catch up on the day and stay in touch. Perhaps it even starts the day off on a positive note. However, mishandling these calls can heighten conflict, undermine trust between parents, and even place children in the middle of their parents' disputes."
Video calls between parents and children should be treated as formal parenting time with agreed schedules, limits, and respect for routines and the other parent's custody. Boundaries prevent children from becoming messengers or evidence gatherers. Calls should stay focused on the child and avoid parental conflict, since children are highly sensitive to tone. Common disputes arise over scheduling, call length, privacy, devices, location, missed calls, delayed responses, and technical glitches. Proactive rules and clear settlement terms for timing, frequency, privacy expectations, device access, and escalation procedures reduce conflict and protect trust and the child's well-being.
Read at Psychology Today
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