After the divorce is final and child custody is agreed upon, things could still change that may alter your custody agreement. According to a report for the National Center for State Courts, within four years after a divorce, 75 percent of single mothers will relocate at least once and of that number more than half will move again. The result of these changes is that approximately 10 million children do not have regular face-to-face interaction with one of their parents. With technology, virtual visitations have made this separation a little easier for both children and the non-custodial parent.

While most of us have complained at one time or another about all of the available technologies, using technology to provide parents a way to stay in touch with their children and maintain relationships has proven invaluable. Instead of worrying if your relationship will suffer because you don't see your children daily, connecting with your children in a non-traditional way can help make the transition easier for both of you. Parents can communicate with their children through texting, email, Facebook, webcams and Skype. All of these things can make long-distance parenting easier.

Family courts across the country are using virtual visitation to refer to the right of a non-custodial parent to have electronic communications with their children. Cases like this came to light in the 1990s as technology started expanding. More states are granting rights to this type of visitation and so far six states have this law on the books including Texas. More than 22 states have legislation underway to add similar laws to their books.

Like any law that is passed, there will be stipulations made to specific visitations based on the welfare of the child, but most divorced parents are happy to have this law available to them so that they can continue to have a healthy relationship with their children.

Source: The Washington Times Communities, "Virtual visitation: a sensible child custody option," Myra Fleischer, April 15, 2012