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Dad Field Manual · Field card 45 · Co-ParentingIdea · not yet tested

Long-distance read-along by video call

When you live far away, calls can drift into "How was school?" "Fine." A shared book gives every call something to do together. Same book in both homes, same nights each week, short calls that end on a good note.

Time
20 min
Cost
$0–$10
Ages
3 to 12
Where
Two homes, one call

What you need

  • Two copies of the same book, one per home: free from the library, or about $5–$10 used
  • A phone, tablet or laptop with video calling at each end
  • Something to prop the screen up so hands are free for the book
  • A bookmark in each copy

Before the first call

  • Set it up adult to adult. Agree on nights and times with your co-parent directly. Don't ask your kid to arrange calls or pass messages.
  • Keep it a reading call. No questions about the other house, money or the schedule. The call is for the two of you and the book.
  • Grown-ups handle the device for young kids. The adult at their end starts the call and stays nearby, and only known contacts get through.
  • If anyone is in danger, call 911. If you or your kid is in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time.

Steps

  1. Set the nights with your co-parent. Agree on one or two set nights and a time with your co-parent, and put them on a shared calendar.
  2. Pick the book together and get two copies. Let your kid pick the book from a few choices, and get one copy for each home.
  3. Open with a two-minute hello. Start with the same short hello and one good thing from each of you.
  4. Read 10 minutes, taking turns. Read about 10 minutes, taking turns, and stop once or twice to ask what happens next.
  5. End on time, on a good note. Stop at a cliffhanger, say the page and the next call time, and end with the same closing line.
  6. Bring the book into visits. Read together in person when you can, and keep a list of every book you finish.

If it stalls

  • If your kid wanders off camera, keep reading in your best voices for a minute. Kids often drift back for the funny part. If they don't, say, "Looks like a short one tonight. See you Thursday," and end warmly.
  • If a call gets missed, don't make it your kid's fault or bring it up at the other house. Message your co-parent: "Missed tonight, no problem. Can we do Friday at 7:15 this week?"
Chapters read together this month
Signed off: can do this.Signed by Date