Talk:Coparenting

Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 6 January 2020 and 6 April 2020. Further details are available on the course page. Peer reviewers: Verboomd.

Above undated message substituted from Template:Dashboard.wikiedu.org assignment by PrimeBOT (talk) 19:30, 17 January 2022 (UTC)

Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 14 January 2020 and 8 May 2020. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Aliciamsimpkins. Peer reviewers: S300777482.

Above undated message substituted from Template:Dashboard.wikiedu.org assignment by PrimeBOT (talk) 18:27, 16 January 2022 (UTC)

Italy

Quite a chunk of this is written in reference to Italian law; it seems that the article was sporked from it:wikipedia and so needs balancing out. I will take a swipe at it soon, but if anyone else wants to jump in please do pablo 10:08, 1 April 2014 (UTC)

What does spork mean? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:1C0:6780:2FB0:0:0:0:C9BB (talk) 13:50, 27 May 2018 (UTC)

Claims of gender discrimination and "parental alienation syndrome"

The section "Post Separation Parenting" contains uncited claims of gender discrimination. It also contains uncited references to Parental Alienation Syndrome. While some parents and children are undoubtedly alienated, there is no such "syndrome" with which someone can be diagnosed. These claims are typical of anti-feminist men's groups; the article should be carefully reviewed for NPOV. I have tagged where appropriate. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.192.82.71 (talk) 05:13, 7 July 2014 (UTC)

Intro

I have a nitpicky issue with the intro. Specifically, this sentence: "In the United States the term coparenting is often used to describe the relationship between two separated or divorced parents attempting to parent their shared children." The word 'attempting' makes it sound like it doesn't really work, or at least not work often. That's just my opinion on word choice, though, and not backed by any research as to whether it actually does work.

I edited this to be more neutral. Wolololol (talk) 00:42, 28 May 2015 (UTC)wolololol

”ET AL,

Co-parenting absolutely has its place and is in the best interest of the minor child if based on the correct circumstances. While not a matter of favoritism, at times one parent is deemed to 'be fit' to have "custody" of a minor child. Matters of education, health and well-being must preside and should not be a matter for debate with the parent who has lost custody. Yes, the parent who has custody has specific duties with timelines to fulfill on behalf of the other parent.

If the court order is succinctly written it shall contain a clause that identifies when consensus on a subject as mentioned above (i.e.: Schooling) is not in agreement between the parents of the minor child, then deference of final authority is extended upon by the parent who has custody.

However, where it becomes murky is from a practical point of view. From experience the term Co-Parenting is often interpreted by the parent who does not have custody as a 'sword' to input their control on matters as simple as Pizza toppings and Movies. No doubt this causes strife for the child who is to be the benefactor of the harmonious engagement of Co-Parenting, but these daily types of decay stymie the pure intent of the term 'Co-Parenting'.

In practice, unbeknown to the statues, is even with regard to the best interest of the minor child, a moral parent who has custody must cast aside any rancor or acrimony and do His/Her best to move the 'needle to the middle'. This first stage is so the minor child can again begin to feel a sense of balance and can feel confident that they have two loving parents.

In practice, however, as the parent with custody attempts to place the best interest of the minor child first, a ‘natural momentum’ occurs where the minor child feels a more robust inclusion of the parent without custody. As the 'pendulum swings' it can knock down the pins of stability, especially on daily matters, thus innocently creating and 'Open Door' to the other parent that under the concept of Co-Parenting believes a Pizza topping is debatable.

While there is no prescription that can be defined as the 'perfect solution' Co-Parenting can and does in fact, invite the 'Perfect Storm' and the minor child can often become shipwrecked.

In conclusion, while the icing on the cake may appeal to all, a strong stomach may be needed for the filling. Hence, each set of parents who attempt earnestly to Co-Parent must first set up rules and boundaries prior to its practical institution at the daily level.

A practical approach to these 'rules and boundaries' should be in written form signed by both parents as a binding agreement. This addresses the minutia of daily life. If terms are non-agreeable, the demonstration of responsible parenthood should be presented to a court of competent jurisdiction (or case management) who can help to clarify the daily details, which are the downfall of the intent of Co-Parenting. This occurs especially with a lack of Judicial clarity in the decree of custody to a sole parent. Or, in the alternative, this solution is applicable in its intent but not form; for all matter where a family has become fractured and a minor child's stability is at risk.” — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:588:8100:3A3B:CDFB:811E:AC77:B3D1 (talk) 04:46, 24 May 2018 (UTC)

united family

What is a "united family"?

Proposal: Add "Technology and digital tools" section

This article currently has no mention of digital tools or smartphone applications used in co-parenting, despite the existence of multiple peer-reviewed studies on the topic. I would like to propose adding a brief section titled "Technology and digital tools" after the "Separated parents" section. The proposed content is based entirely on academic sources:

Proposed text:

Since the early 2010s, a growing number of smartphone applications have emerged to support communication and coordination between separated co-parents. These typically include messaging, shared calendars, expense tracking, and the ability to export records for legal purposes.

A 2023 evaluation of ten post-separation parenting apps by family dispute resolution practitioners found that while messaging functions were generally rated positively, expense tracking and shared calendar features presented significant usability challenges. A related study found that 76% of Australian and New Zealand family law professionals had recommended co-parenting apps to clients, though only 35% had used one themselves, revealing a gap between professional expectations and actual app performance.

A 2025 survey of separated parents found that the most common motivation for using a co-parenting app was to manage interparental conflict. Approximately two-thirds of respondents reported a mostly positive effect on their co-parenting relationship.

Sources:

1. Smyth, B.M., Payne, J.L., Irving, M.A., & Heard, G. (2023). "Popular post-separation parenting smartphone apps: An evaluation." Family Court Review, 61(3), 563-585. doi:10.1111/fcre.12738
2. Irving, M.A., Heard, G., Smyth, B.M., Payne, J.L., & Althor, G. (2023). "Post-separation parenting apps in the hands of family law practitioners: expectations versus experience." International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, 37(1), ebad027. doi:10.1093/lawfam/ebad027
3. Payne, J.L., et al. (2025). "Post-Separation Parenting Apps: A Survey of Separated Parents." Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. doi:10.1002/anzf.70034

Disclosure: Per WP:COI, I work in the co-parenting technology space. I am not proposing to mention any specific product or company. This edit is about the broader field and is sourced exclusively from peer-reviewed academic journals. I welcome feedback and will not proceed without consensus. LeoeseOK (talk) 16:41, 3 April 2026 (UTC)

Comment on proposed technology and digital tools section

Support. I agree that a neutral section about technology and digital tools would be useful in this article, provided it is written broadly and not framed around any specific company or product. Digital co-parenting tools are now commonly used by separated parents to manage parenting schedules, communication records, shared expenses, documents, and child related information. I think this topic fits naturally within the article because modern co-parenting often involves structured written communication and record keeping, especially where parents are separated or communication is difficult. Disclosure: I am involved in the co-parenting technology space, so I am not proposing that any specific platform be mentioned. I support independent editors reviewing the wording and sources before any change is made. Calm Co-Parenting (talk) 12:02, 14 June 2026 (UTC)