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Staying In Touch

In the early stages of negotiating a separation agreement it is essential to include a discussion of methods of staying in contact with your children when they are not with you. This involves both residential and non-residential parent agreeing on which of the following mechanisms work best for the given situation. All have pros and cons. Cell phones and fax machines may involve an investment in equipment. Regular telephone contact may demand investing in a second children's line and/or an answering machine.
As soon as children can read and write they master e-mail, while younger children enjoy sending and receiving pictures/drawings by fax.

CELL PHONE

Offers access at all locations for both parent & child
Can leave voice mail messages
Caller ID facilitates consistent access
Surprisingly affordable plans available
Beware!!-choose a plan to avoid excessive long distance charges

REGULAR TELEPHONE

Limits access to one location
Necessitates scheduling of calls
Unscheduled calls on family phone are intrusive
Therefore separate phone for children's use advisable
To avoid frustration answering machines should accept long messages
Beware!!-conversations are often inhibited by presence of other parent

E-MAIL

Children have access from libraries, schools, and friends' houses
Parents can pick up messages at home, office, or worldwide
Can be used when one parent obstructs communication
Messages are fairly complete & multiple messages make planning easier

FAX

Widely available, including schools
Printed messages avoid confusion
When travelling may be better than phone
Children can receive drawings/messages in their parents writing
Children can send messages on their own
Beware the lack of privacy