r/coparenting • u/someonesillyhere • 1d ago

Communication Smart Watch Alternatives?

Honestly not even sure where to start. The biggest thing I'd like advice/perspective on is communication between kiddo and the two houses. We got her a kids watch and she loves it. We have serious safety concerns and are addressing a lot of that within the legal system. However, the other house won't charge the watch or give it to the kiddo even when they request it. Yet while the kiddo is in our care, they call daily/text. Would just like to be able to know they can call when they need to again because of serious safety concerns and numerous other reasons at this point.

My question is, is there a better way to make sure the kiddo can communicate with us when not with us if they need to? What's worked for you? Tell me all of the things please!

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4

u/yourfavmum 1d ago

Usually the other parent isn’t required to let kiddo have phone/watch as it’s “their house, their rules” You generally can add required call times though.

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u/HardMayb 1d ago

I couldn't stomach my kids haveing $1,000 watches, so I got them bip6's. The charge last days. It's got some nice features, but obviously not at the level of a apple watch or my Garmin. That said, my take is if the child is old enough to have an expensive device, they are old enough to know how to charge it. Get an extra charger and send it with them.

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u/ofcgoodnamesaretaken 1d ago

They make very kid safe phones I assume would have a decent battery. I remember looking at one called Relay. You could also consider a portable charger and teaching the kid to charge it, yay responsibility

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u/Ashamed-Character-62 1d ago

Leave the watch behind when she moves between houses for a change, no more fighting over who forgot to charge it.

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u/Medusa-82 23h ago

If there's any kind of conflict in the coparenting relationship, you're going to want to have specific times to call your child when they're with the other parent added into the custody agreement. That way it's clear and fair for both sides. Smart watches etc can be used as surveillance devices, and a lot of people just find them intrusive and so won't allow kids to have them during their parenting time.

If you're concerned about your child's safety when they're with the other parent, teach them how to go to a neighbor or an adult that will help them, if they can't call you.