So the craze now is online parenting forums. Each parent gets their own account and can communicate with each other online. Most sites contain visitation schedules, private forums, expense tracking, etc. And of course they come with a price tag.. though not too unreasonable. Some fairly decent ones are approx. $10USD per month. Compare that to registered mail and you are laughing.

I have my opinions.. of course. If you cannot tolerate each other and communicating in a civil manner is a pipe dream then save your cash and spare yourself the pain. For those who can get along then this is a good forum.. keeps things in one place, easily accessible... But c'mon, if you can communicate without ripping each other's heads off then save your $ and pick up the phone.

What I have seen is that online co-parenting sites, just like mediation or the family court system, can be used as just another place to attack each other. Yes, it is possible to manipulate a parenting tool like this too - leave it to a narcissistic, bitter ex to find a way.

If you choose to go this route then some advice - don't turn it into a chat room.

1. Keep your posts to the minimum!!

2. Don't share more than you have to - you don't need to tell the other person everything that the kids are doing regardless of what Dr. Phil says.

3. Only visit it once a day. Don't get hooked on it like crack. It is easy to become obsessed with wondering what or if your Ex has posted.

4. Give it 30 days. If it isnt' working, trust me, you will know.

5. Keep your spouse off of it - the forum is for you and your ex, not your significant others.

6. And finally, unless their is an agreement, it is a NO KIDS ZONE!! Just as we know not bring the kids into adult matters then we must also ensure they do not have access to our posts - our bitch slaps to "mommy or daddy dearest" should be kept to ourselves.. to snicker over as we enjoy a hot cup of cocoa on a cold winter's night. Now doesn't that sound all warm and cuddly?