After a divorce, parenting can become harder when you and your child’s other parent live far apart. Distance may result from a new job, military service, remarriage or other changes in life.
Long-distance parenting can create challenges. At the same time, technology has made it easier for parents and children to stay connected. Virtual visitation can help parents stay in touch with their children between in-person visits.
What is virtual visitation?
Virtual visitation refers to contact between a parent and child through electronic devices. It does not usually replace in-person parenting time. Instead, it gives parents another way to stay involved. Common forms of virtual visitation include:
- Participating in video calls
- Speaking through phone calls
- Exchanging text messages
- Sending emails
- Using messaging applications
This type of contact can help parents keep up with school activities, family events and everyday conversations.
When long-distance parenting becomes part of a custody arrangement
Long-distance parenting can happen for many reasons. In Fayetteville, military deployments and relocations may create distance between a parent and child. Other families may face similar issues because of work, school or family moves.
As distance increases, regular visits may become harder. Travel costs and schedules can affect how often a parent and child spend time together.
What parenting plans may say about virtual visitation
When parents live far apart, parenting plans may address how contact will occur between visits. Based on a family’s situation, a parenting plan may address topics such as:
- Scheduling regular video calls
- Setting times for phone contact
- Providing access to electronic devices
- Arranging contact during holidays
- Maintaining contact during school breaks
These provisions can set a schedule for contact between a parent and child.
Common challenges in long-distance parenting
Long-distance parenting can be challenging even when both parents want to stay involved. Scheduling conflicts may arise because of work, school activities or family commitments.
Other issues can include time-zone differences, technology problems and disagreements about call schedules. These factors may affect how often parents and children connect.
Looking beyond the distance
Virtual visitation cannot replace time spent together in person. However, it can provide another way for parents and children to stay connected when distance limits regular visits.
These plans may remain in place for months or years. As technology continues to evolve, virtual visits will likely remain part of many long-distance parenting arrangements.