It can be difficult to maintain the level of contact with your child that you would like after you divorce. Perhaps the court ordered that they spend most of their time living with their other parent. Or perhaps your job takes you away for long periods so you cannot be with them as much as you would like.
Either way, virtual visitation can help you stay connected to your child when you can’t be there in person. You may wish to include mention of virtual visitation in the parenting plan you agree to, as doing so will make your arrangements enforceable.
Things to consider
How will you schedule time to talk? Say that you plan to call to speak to your child and wish them good luck on their first day at school, but your co-parent says your child is already running late and does not have time to talk to you right now.
Maybe when the child is with you, your co-parent calls to read them a bedtime story via Skype, but you don’t like the kids using technology just before bed.
You need to find a balance that works for both of you and, above all, for your child.
How will you give your child privacy?
A child should be free to talk to one parent without the other (or anyone else) listening in. If your child has their own phone, they can likely just retreat to their room to take a call, but if they don’t, you may need to set up a computer or tablet. You could allow them to use yours, but you need to find a time when you are not using it for work and when they can take over a private space for a while.
While virtual visitation is not equal to face-to-face time with your child, it can help when that is not possible. Consider learning more if you are negotiating a parenting schedule.