A story release today by the Associated Press reports that a Connecticut state judge overseeing a child custody dispute has recommended that a Glastonbury man and his two children spend time together through the use of computers, the first time "virtual visitation" has been prescribed in Connecticut in a family dispute.

"Virtual visitation," which allows parent and children to share bedtime stories, homework, photos and music online, is one way divorced parents can maintain joint custody in case one parent needs to move out of state.

Former state Supreme Court Justice Robert I. Berdon said that online visitation is an option courts are increasingly using to ensure that the needs of the children and both parents are met.

"There's no good solution. There's nothing like physical contact, interacting with your kids, person to person," said Berdon. "But if there has to be relocation, this is something to consider."

Berdon recommended the video conferencing, in addition to regular visits, as a way of keeping all parties close.

Attorneys in similar cases in Massachusetts and New Jersey appealed "virtual visitation" orders on the grounds that nothing can replace face-to-face contact between the parent and child.

In the Massachusetts case, the judge granted the noncustodial father the right to read his children bedtime stories over the Internet, since both parents were experts in video conferencing. The father is appealing.

Neither parent in Armstrong v. Armstrong of the Connecticut case which is being handled by Berdon is a computer aficionado, but that's not an obstacle, said Lloyd Frauenglass, the mother's Glastonbury attorney.

In most cases, parents use cameras attached to their computers to send live pictures to children thousands of miles away, according to reports filed in the Armstrong case. With a fast enough Internet connection, the parent and child can share real-time conversations.

Other, less high-tech options include regular e-mail and instant messaging, as well as posting pictures and homework on a website for parents to see.