Parenting coordinators & co-Parenting Apps
Navigating Shared Parenting with Confidence and Clarity
Almost all of our clients that have open custody matters use shared parenting apps to help them manage communications with their children’s other parents. Shared parent responsibilities can be challenging—but tools and professional guidance exist to support families in keeping the focus where it belongs: on the children. Here are trusted resources and strategies for smooth co‑parenting.
What is a Parenting Coordinator?
A parenting coordinator is a neutral professional—often with legal or mental‑health training—appointed by the court to help parents implement and interpret parenting plans. Responsibilities include:
Facilitating communication and decision-making between parents
Guiding resolution on day-to-day parenting disputes
Monitoring plan compliance and reporting back to the court
Using a PC can minimize court returns, save time and money, and reduce emotional strain—for both parents and children.
The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts has many examples of parenting plans, parenting plan templates and communication guides available on their website. We would recommend clicking the link and seeing what others are doing! There are a lot of examples!
Use Child‑Centered Language
Words matter. The language you use shapes your relationship and your child's experience. No matter how you are communicating with each other, make sure you are also carefully communicating with your children. Replace “visitation” with “parenting time”
Shift from “custody” to “parenting plan”
Choose terms like “co‑parents” over “ex,” and “parenting responsibilities” over “rights”
Top Co‑Parenting Apps:
Technology offers easy, trackable tools that enhance communication, scheduling, and transparency:
AppClose • Free & Court-Recommended
100% free co-parenting app recommended by many family courts
Includes messaging, calendar sharing, expense tracking, and downloadable records
Talking Parents • Easy to use and share
Provides a legally admissible, secure message log
Includes shared calendars, expense tracking, and file storage
Eliminates miscommunication by keeping all dialogues in-app
These tools support structured communication, reduce conflict, and allow focus on the needs of your children. It is good to make sure all of your communications are well documented and accessible.
Planning Vacations & Travel
Creating a clear, child-first strategy makes vacations smoother:
Legal foundations: Ensure travel permissions align with your parenting plan or applicable state laws. Contact us if you need help reading your agreement and understanding what to do.
Use tech tools: Share calendars via apps like Talking Parents or OurFamilyWizard; these often include reminders and notification confirmations.
Backup plans: Prepare contingencies—flight delays, emergencies—with quick access to travel documents and alternate arrangements.
Sharing the Holidays
Emotionally charged seasons call for a solid co‑parenting plan:
Plan Early
Set holiday dates 6–12 months in advance, and use your co‑parenting app’s scheduling feature to log agreements.Focus on the Child’s Experience
Discuss traditions or celebrations in advance; decide together which to keep for continuity and closeness.Stick to the Plan
Communicate changes; document through app messages for transparency.Stay Calm & Kind
Keep phrasing child-centered (“Your daughter will celebrate with both of us”). Avoid phrases like “You never” or “You always.”
