Using Co-Parenting Wall Calendars and Day Planners

Once you've chosen a parenting time schedule, you'll have to decide how to keep tabs on it.

You might use a co-parenting app. You could make a calendar in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. You could enter your schedule into an Outlook, Google or Apple calendar.

In addition, or instead, many families use a physical version, like a wall calendar or day planner. If that's you, consider these tips.

Don't fill it out by hand — Print it

Handwritten calendars can get messy and take forever to fill out. Printed calendars are easier to decipher and give you multiple copies with a single click.

For instance, Custody X Change lets you print a color-coded calendar you can hang on your fridge or wall.

Use a kid-friendly version

Your kids may feel a bit anxious about traveling between homes after a divorce or separation. Create a kid-friendly version of your calendar so your kids can anticipate exchanges.

Create a wall calendar as a craft project with your kids, or let them decorate a calendar you purchase. Make it colorful and easy to understand. You can incorporate things like blocks and magnets to make the calendar more interactive. Sites like Etsy and Amazon have great options.

When your kids' calendar is finished, hang it somewhere they'll see it often. Encourage your co-parent to put one up in their home too.

Consider going digital

Though a physical calendar has benefits, you won't always have it with you.

A digital calendar lets you access your parenting time schedule from anywhere at any time.

A digital calendar is more accessible to others, too. For example, you can share a Custody X Change calendar with your co-parent, your child and professionals you're working with.

If you love having your schedule on paper, use a wall calendar at home (or a desk calendar in the office) plus a digital calendar for on-the-go access.

Include your other activities

While you might want a calendar that shows only your co-parenting schedule, adding in your daily activities can make the calendar more useful.

Before you start entering events, decide if this wall calendar or day planner will be devoted to your kids' activities, your own commitments or the whole family's schedule.

You can also keep track of activities in Custody X Change, where your activities calendar shows you whose parenting time each activity falls within. The app can also alert you ahead of an activity or child exchange.