Sometimes it takes someone who knows a problem from the inside to find a solution.

So it was for the man behind an online calendar making life easier for separated parents and their children.

www.bothparents.com is a secure and free way for divorced parents to share a calendar, address book, email address and pictures.

It’s the brainchild of US-based single dad Scott.

He said: “As my daughter got busier, keeping track of school events, soccer games, and dance recitals simply got harder. Even with the best of intentions, her mother and I didn’t always remember to keep each other up to date.”

The resource was brought to our attention by mediator Maura McKibbin, who said: “It can be incredibly helpful for separated parents (living in different homes who are finding smooth communication challenging) to have a safe and secure way to pool information about their children’s lives and commitments.

“By helping separating parents to cope better we are helping their children to adjust better to changes in their life that are outside their control.”

• Maura has previously written for Merrick Life with advice for separating parents.