Keeping a Diary: Evidence

This is a basic, and perhaps stupid, question, but I'd appreciate any advice.

I am anticipating that my partner and myself will separate. My main concern is with residence/contact with our son. We have a shared approach to parenting, and split most day-to-day tasks between us. I would want shared residence, and I expect my partner will ­object­ to that. I'd like to evidence my day-to-day role in parenting, to support my position, and have started keeping a diary.

My (perhaps stupid) question is this: is it ok to keep an electronic diary using a computer/word processor (which is much easier). Would the court accept this, or prefer a had-written diary? Or doesn't it make any difference?

Any advice appreciated.

I can't see how an electronic diary would be seen as any less authentic as a hand written one. Both would be capable of containing accurate or distorted records. I don't know the age of your son but it might be worthwhile ensuring you are seen to have a history of being involved with his school and GP, perhaps there are structured activities (eg football, drama, self defence)you both could engage with that might help demonstrate your parenting?

Of course there is a downside with maintaining a diary; recording routine events, preparing for the worst, may well sensitise you to your fears robbing you of the joy of the actual parenting.

zonked wrote:
I can't see how an electronic diary would be seen as any less authentic as a hand written one. Both would be capable of containing accurate or distorted records. I don't know the age of your son but it might be worthwhile ensuring you are seen to have a history of being involved with his school and GP, perhaps there are structured activities (eg football, drama, self defence)you both could engage with that might help demonstrate your parenting?

Of course there is a downside with maintaining a diary; recording routine events, preparing for the worst, may well sensitise you to your fears robbing you of the joy of the actual parenting.

Thanks - yes, that's really what I was thinking - that it wouldn't make much difference. That is also a perceptive comment about the downside, too. I don't like doing it, in fact.

I kept a sort of diary the last couple of months to illustrate unreasonable behaviour. i did it by emailing myself - that way you have a time and date, even if u write "y/day such and such happened"

seabreeze wrote:
I kept a sort of diary the last couple of months to illustrate unreasonable behaviour. i did it by emailing myself - that way you have a time and date, even if u write "y/day such and such happened"

Hey, that's a good idea... thanks.

If you are keeping a diary electronic or otherwise, also note what you cook for your child, just make sure its home cooked meals, rather than a string of trips out to MacDonalds..

LB