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Using TalkingParents to Help You Co-Parent a Toddler
How to use TalkingParents to manage toddler custody schedules, routines, behavioral needs, expenses, special moments, and more.
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So, your infant is entering into toddlerhood, which means you and your co-parent are facing new circumstances and changes each day. Having a toddler is such a sweet and special time in a parent’s life, but your child is also undergoing many developmental transitions at this age, which can pose some unique challenges. Luckily, TalkingParents can help you and your co-parent communicate and coordinate so you can get a better handle on your toddler’s schedule, routines, behavioral needs, expenses, special moments, and more.
Toddler custody schedules
The most important thing to keep in mind when making a custody schedule for a toddler is that they need frequent visits with each parent, but they may also have difficulty with transitions. It’s best to keep the custody schedule as consistent as you can, while allowing both parents to see the toddler every two to three days. Some common custody schedules to consider for a toddler include alternating every two days, the 5-2 schedule, the every third day schedule, the 4-3 schedule, or the 3-4-4-3 schedule. Learn more about each of these custody arrangements here.
TalkingParents can be a game changer when managing a toddler’s custody schedule. You and your co-parent can use our Shared Calendar tool to manage and document the schedule. There, you can create repeating events to mark regular occurrences like custody transition days. You can also use Secure Messaging and Accountable Calling to communicate about the schedule and how to handle transitions to ensure a smooth handoff for your child. If your toddler is still having difficulty transitioning between homes, read our article on how to Make Children’s Transition Between Parents Easier.
Toddler routines
For children of all ages with co-parents, routine is very important to a stable upbringing. Routines are especially important for toddlers and younger children, for both their mental and physical development. It’s extremely beneficial for you and your co-parent to communicate about your toddler’s sleep schedule, eating habits, physical activity, playtime, and more, so you can keep their routines consistent between households.
With TalkingParents, you and your co-parent can discuss and set routines surrounding bedtimes, mealtimes, and activities through Secure Messaging or Accountable Calling. Once you’ve hashed out a plan, use the Shared Calendar or Info Library tool to document your decisions in one, shared place, keeping everyone on the same page.
Addressing toddler behavioral needs
You have probably heard the phrase “terrible twos” before. At this age, toddlers enter a normal developmental phase that’s frequently characterized by tantrums, defiant behavior, and frustration. These behaviors are usually triggered by the fact that your child is just starting to walk, talk, and express opinions and emotions. At this stage of life, it’s crucial for co-parents to try and mimic parenting styles and disciplinary actions as best they can. This will help your toddler overcome behavioral challenges more quickly and successfully.
With TalkingParents, you can keep lines of communication between you and your co-parent open when handling serious situations. If your toddler has a meltdown or throws a tantrum, you and your co-parent can talk about the incident through messages or calls. If you need to show your co-parent a certain behavior or situation as it unfolds, you can use our Video Calling feature to connect in real-time. Additionally, all our tools keep everything documented, so if you ever need to reference a conversation or agreement regarding a behavioral situation later, that information remains right at your fingertips.
Coordinating toddler expenses
Toddlers are growing and evolving at a rapid rate. As parents, this means you must frequently buy new clothes, shoes, toys, and other items that change quickly with child development. This is also the age when many parents send their children to daycare or hire a nanny for the first time. As co-parents, you will have many expenses to coordinate during your child’s toddler years.
TalkingParents makes it simple for co-parents to manage and track expenses. With our Accountable Payments tool, you and your co-parent can make payment requests and securely send or receive money, keeping all shared expenses for your toddler in one place. All requests and payments are timestamped, so you can both see what was paid, when.
Sharing toddler firsts
One of the hardest parts of co-parenting is missing your child when they’re with their other parent. Your child’s toddler years are filled with so many special moments, and your little one may or may not be in your custody when they happen. From walking and talking for the first time to having their first haircut or playdate, neither you nor your co-parent will want to miss a single thing.
TalkingParents makes it easy for co-parents to document and share special moments. You and your co-parent can take pictures and send them to each other with Secure Messaging, and you can easily view and download these images later through our Attachment Library tool. With Video Calling, both parents can witness special firsts as they happen, and you can talk to your child even when you’re apart.
TalkingParents is here to help you and your toddler
Co-parenting a toddler can be stressful, but our tools are built to make the journey easier. At the end of the day, you and your co-parent are both working toward the same goal—raising a happy, healthy child.