A dvancement in C ommunication T echnology
“H appiness is not something ready made . I t comes from your own actions .” —T he D ali L ama
The Role I t Plays in Fami ly Law
The advancements we’ve seen in technology over the past 30 or so years have significantly impacted the way we do national and international family law. It’s much easier to negotiate long-distance custody visitation and access when the non-custodial parent can expect to spend time virtually with their child on a regular basis. Not only this, but it has played a large role during the COVID-19 pandemic as people have had to worry about practicing social distancing and other safety measures. Our team was involved in many conversations about substituting virtual access for physical visitation. While the use of technology in this way has benefited many families, it also has its challenges. CHALLENGES In today’s modern age, no bi-nuclear family hasn’t dealt with one parent wanting to purchase a device for their child or children to use, while the custodial parent tries to limit its use. By enforcing this limitation, they could also be limiting the amount of communication the child has with the other parent. This ultimately leads to friction and aggravation between the parents. SOLUTIONS To reduce that friction, we’ve helped parents develop solutions that best fit their unique situations. In some cases, this may include purchasing a device, such as a cell phone, for the oldest child that the parents have direct access to. Some parents have also worked together to schedule regular Zoom calls for special events or even daily check-ins. For instance, they may decide to have a parent-child virtual visitation every Tuesday and Thursday after dinner from 7–9 p.m. COMMUNICATION For parents with a history of conflict, this may not be the best choice. Instead, online services may be beneficial. Calendar apps allow parents to plan soccer games, dinner, events, and virtual visitation through the app. This allows them not to speak directly to one another, but also ensures that both parents are taking care of the child. The app Family Wizard is a wonderful tool we recommend for parents in this situation, as it coordinates every aspect of life, including finances. Other technology and co-parenting programs can be found at the Center for Divorce Education. By adapting to technology, we have continued to help our clients stay connected with their children in a more effective way. As time moves on, we’re curious to see just how much more technology can advance and the ways it will impact family law.
S pring V egetable and C hicken P asta B ake
Inspired by EatingWell.com
I ngredients
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1 cup cooked chicken, diced 1 14-oz can artichokes, drained and quartered 1 cup fresh asparagus pieces
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1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped and divided 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped and divided
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1/2 cup carrots, grated
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2 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta
1/4 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
D irections
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Uncover and stir. At this point, check the pasta to make sure it is al dente. If it’s undercooked, cover the dish and return to the oven until pasta is tender. Remove from oven and garnish with remaining Parmesan, chives, and parsley.
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Preheat oven to 425 F and grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. In the prepared dish, stir together cooked chicken, artichokes, asparagus, carrots, uncooked pasta, chicken broth, half the chives, half the parsley, garlic, salt, and 2 tbsp Parmesan. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
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Cal l for a Consul tat ion: ( 866) 687-8561
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