Virtual Parenting and Virtual Visitation

Being apart from their children is one of the hardest things parents have to adjust to after a divorce or separation. Virtual or internet visitation can help ease that discomfort by aiding contact between parents and kids when they’re apart.

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Virtual visitation, Internet visitation or computer visitation is using technology to supplement interactions between parents and children who are separated by distance.  Most of the focus in terms of technology has been on webcams, web chats, and video conferencing.  These tools allow parents and children to have virtual face time with each other.  Although this virtual time spent together can never replace actual in-person interactions, it can keep a regular connection that would otherwise be impossible.

Wikipedia does a great job of covering the many options that exist for those interested in video conferencing and video chatting:

Click here to see the list of video telecommunication services and product brands

OurFamilyWizard® can be used in conjunction with other online resources to make virtual visitation a breeze. Using OurFamilyWizard®, you can schedule visits, stay on top of the child’s other activities, stay on top of what has changed in their medical and school information and keep track of child-related expenses. 

One of the most important things to children in a long distance parenting relationship is consistent and regular contact. OurFamilyWizard® can make this much easier for both parents and children.  By having the entire family working from a shared set of information and calendars online, the long distance gap can become much shorter.  OurFamilyWizard® provides the parent who is living a long distance away, the ability to have regular input and feedback on activities and other information related to the child. It also provides the parent and child a protected space to communicate and share photos via secure messages in the OurFamilyWizard® message board. Child access is limited and always optional.

OurFamilyWizard® is also a great documentation tool.  The site automatically records who made the entry, when the entry was made and from what IP address the entry was made from.  This will make it very easy to know that everyone is on the same page about when virtual visits will occur and provide you and your child with a way to keep a journal about your interactions.