Can Custody Cover Alternate Days for Storytelling by Video Call?

In joint or shared custody arrangements, maintaining a strong parent-child bond can be challenging, especially when one parent is physically separated from the child for extended periods. Video calls have become an increasingly popular tool for virtual parenting, allowing both parents to maintain regular interactions and emotional connections with their child. Storytelling or reading sessions via video calls are a great way to engage with the child, especially during bedtime or special times like weekends or holidays. A custody agreement can help establish guidelines for such interactions, ensuring both parents are involved in nurturing the child’s emotional and intellectual development, even from a distance.

Legal Considerations for Video Call Storytelling in Custody

• Best Interests of the Child: As with any custody agreement, the child’s best interests remain the central concern. Video call storytelling sessions can contribute positively to a child’s emotional well-being by providing stability, maintaining regular contact, and promoting a sense of security. The agreement may specify how these sessions will work, including when and how often they will occur, to ensure that the child has meaningful and consistent engagement with both parents.
• Clear Guidelines for Scheduling: For video call sessions to work smoothly, the custody agreement may outline specific times and days for each parent’s turn. By establishing alternate days for each parent to read a story or have a conversation, the arrangement helps avoid confusion and ensures fairness. For example, Parent A might read on Mondays and Wednesdays, while Parent B reads on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This ensures that both parents have equal opportunities to connect with the child.
• Flexibility for Special Circumstances: While a consistent schedule is important, the agreement should also allow for flexibility in case of emergencies, travel, or schedule conflicts. The flexibility ensures that neither parent feels restricted by rigid rules and that the child continues to benefit from regular contact with both parents, even if the timing needs to adjust occasionally.

Emotional and Psychological Considerations for Storytelling via Video Call

• Emotional Connection: One of the main goals of including video call storytelling in a custody agreement is to maintain a strong emotional bond between the child and both parents. Storytelling is an intimate activity that fosters connection, allowing the child to feel that both parents are equally involved in their lives. It provides a way for the child to feel emotionally secure and cared for, even if they are physically apart from one of the parents.
• Consistency in Routine: Children benefit from routines, especially when it comes to interactions with their parents. By scheduling video call storytelling sessions on alternate days, both parents can help the child maintain a sense of predictability and consistency, which is crucial for emotional stability. Knowing that they will connect with each parent regularly for a story or conversation helps the child feel secure and loved.
• Bonding Through Shared Activities: Storytelling is more than just reading a book; it’s an opportunity for both parents to share in an activity that can spark the child’s imagination, teach them valuable lessons, and promote a love for learning. When both parents are equally involved in these sessions, it ensures that the child doesn’t feel torn between the two households but rather sees both parents as active participants in their emotional and intellectual growth.

Practical Considerations for Including Video Call Storytelling in Custody

• Technology Access and Equipment: Both parents should ensure that they have access to reliable technology for video calls, including a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone. The quality of the video call (clear audio and video) is important for creating a positive experience for the child. The custody agreement might specify that both parents are responsible for ensuring the technology is in working order for these sessions.
• Frequency and Duration of Calls: The custody agreement can establish how frequently the video call storytelling sessions should occur. While alternate days might work for some families, other families might prefer more frequent calls, such as every evening. The duration of the calls should also be addressed—whether the sessions will last for 15 minutes or 30 minutes, for example. This ensures that the calls are long enough to be meaningful but not overwhelming for the child or the parents.
• Content and Environment of Calls: To make the video call experience as enjoyable as possible, both parents can agree on certain guidelines for the content and environment of the calls. For example, ensuring the child-friendly environment (a quiet space with minimal distractions) and using engaging storytelling techniques (like animated voices, showing pictures from the book, etc.) can make the calls more interactive and fun for the child. Parents can also rotate choosing stories, so the child feels engaged and excited each time.

Legal Protections and Enforcement for Video Call Storytelling

• Enforcing the Agreement: If one parent fails to adhere to the scheduled video calls or storytelling sessions, the custody agreement can include provisions for addressing this issue. The agreement might outline consequences for failing to follow the schedule, such as makeup calls or adjusting the routine. However, both parents should aim for cooperation to avoid conflicts and ensure that the child’s needs are prioritized.
• Handling Conflicts or Scheduling Issues: If there is a conflict over the scheduled video calls, the agreement can include a dispute resolution process, such as mediation or involving a third-party professional, to resolve disagreements. This ensures that conflicts do not negatively affect the child’s relationship with either parent.
• Modification of the Agreement: As the child grows or circumstances change, the schedule for video call storytelling can be revisited and modified. The agreement should allow for flexibility, ensuring that both parents can adjust the plan to fit the evolving needs of the child.

Example:

In a shared custody arrangement, two parents agree that they will have alternate days for video call storytelling. Parent A reads a story every Monday and Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., while Parent B reads on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the same time. Both parents make sure that the child has access to the technology needed for the video call, and they take turns choosing books.

Steps to Implement the Agreement:

• Set Clear Schedule: Parent A and Parent B establish a weekly schedule for the video calls and agree on the times and duration of each session.
• Ensure Technology: Both parents ensure that their devices are fully functional for video calls and make arrangements in case of technical difficulties.
• Pick Engaging Stories: Each parent selects a mix of favorite stories and new ones to keep the child engaged. Occasionally, they pick a new interactive activity, like asking the child to guess what happens next in the story.
• Track Consistency: If one parent is unable to make a scheduled call, they agree to notify the other parent in advance and reschedule the session.

Conclusion:

Including video call storytelling as part of a custody arrangement is an effective way to maintain a strong parent-child connection even when physical distance is involved. By establishing clear guidelines for scheduling, technology use, and content, both parents can ensure the child feels emotionally supported and connected to both households. Such provisions in a custody agreement can provide stability and a sense of consistency for the child, while also allowing both parents to remain actively involved in the child’s emotional development.