How to use Coparenting Journal

Introducing the Coparenting Journal: Your Personal Record Keeper

We are thrilled to introduce a new feature to the BestInterest app: the Coparenting Journal! This tool is designed to help you keep detailed, timestamped records of interactions with your coparent, making it easier to manage disputes and navigate custody matters.

The Coparenting Journal is a secure, easy-to-use feature that allows you to document every interaction with your coparent. Whether you’re noting down a conversation, a disagreement, a late pickup, or a positive exchange, the journal helps you maintain an accurate and reliable log of events. These entries are timestamped and can serve as trusted records, which may be invaluable for court proceedings or mediations.

1. Add an Entry: Whenever you have an interaction with your coparent that you think is worth documenting, simply go to the Coparenting Journal feature in the BestInterest app.

2. Record Details: Enter the details of the interaction. You can include who was involved, what was discussed, and any relevant context. The more specific you are, the more helpful the entry will be later on.

3. Save and Timestamp: Once you’ve entered all the information, hit the “Save” button. Your entry will automatically be timestamped, providing a precise record of when the interaction took place. Please note: Once saved, entries cannot be edited. This is to ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of the records.

4. Review Your Entries: You can review your past entries at any time. This helps you stay aware of previous interactions and provides you with a reliable record for future reference.

• Resolve Disputes: By keeping a detailed log of your interactions, you can easily reference specific events when discussing disagreements or misunderstandings with your coparent or legal counsel.

• Support Custody Cases: Timestamps and unalterable records can be a crucial asset in custody cases, providing clear, unbiased documentation that can be presented in court to support your case.

• Stay Organized: Having a single place to record all coparenting interactions helps you stay organized, reducing stress and helping you focus on what matters most: your children.

Here are some ideas of ways to use the journal in the course of coparenting:

1. Pick-Up and Drop-Off Details: Documenting the time, location, and any issues or changes that occurred during the exchange of the children.

2. Communication Attempts: Recording attempts to contact the coparent via phone, text, or email, including any responses or lack thereof.

3. Changes in Schedule: Noting any agreed-upon or last-minute changes to the parenting schedule, including reasons and reactions.

4. Child’s Health Updates: Logging any health concerns, doctor’s visits, medication needs, or illnesses that were communicated to or from the coparent.

5. Behavioral Concerns: Documenting observations of the child’s behavior or emotional state after visits or communications with the other parent.

6. Important Decisions: Recording discussions or decisions about the child’s education, extracurricular activities, or other significant matters.

7. Expenses and Reimbursements: Keeping track of any shared expenses related to the child, such as school fees, medical bills, or extracurricular activities, and the coparent’s response to reimbursement requests.

8. Missed Appointments or Commitments: Noting any instances where the coparent missed a scheduled appointment or failed to meet a commitment.

9. Positive Interactions: Recording any positive communication or cooperative efforts, such as a successful conversation or a mutually agreed decision.

10. Conflict Resolution Attempts: Documenting efforts to resolve disputes or disagreements, including the coparent’s response and any outcomes.

11. Child’s Achievements: Noting any milestones or achievements of the child that were shared with the coparent, including the coparent’s reaction or involvement.

12. Holiday and Special Event Planning: Recording discussions and agreements about holidays, birthdays, or other special events, including any disputes or changes.

13. Concerns About the Child’s Well-Being: Documenting any concerns related to the child’s safety, well-being, or emotional state, especially following time with the coparent.

14. Third-Party Communications: Noting communications involving third parties, such as teachers, coaches, or therapists, that were relayed to the coparent.

Visit the Coparenting Journal tab in the BestInterest app and start keeping track of your coparenting interactions today. With the Coparenting Journal, you have a reliable, secure tool to help manage disputes and maintain a peaceful, organized coparenting relationship.