> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.onform.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.onform.com/programs/athletes-and-parents-in-your-program/keep-parents-informed.md).

# Keep parents informed

Invite parents to Onform for free, share lessons with an athlete and their parents in one go, and keep one athlete's feedback private while still including families.

Works on: iPhone, iPad, Android and web.

Parents who can see the lesson are more likely to help with practice at home. Invite them into their child's workspace, and you can share each lesson with the athlete and their parents in one go. **Parents you invite use Onform for free.**

## Before you start

* You need to run the workspace (the coach who created it, or an admin of your organization).
* Every invite is a **5-character code** that's **case-sensitive** and works **once**. Each parent needs their own code: a parent can't use their child's, and two parents can't share one.
* In an organization, some staff can't add parents. If you don't see **Add Parent**, ask your organization's admin.

## Invite a parent

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="iPhone and iPad" %}

1. Open the athlete's workspace (or your team).
2. Tap the three dots at the top, or **+** next to **Members**.
3. Tap **Add Parent**.
4. Enter the parent's name, then tap **Send Invite** and send the code by text, email or any messaging app.

In an organization, you can pick a parent who's already in it (handy for a second child), or add a new one.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Android and web" %}

1. Open the athlete's workspace (or your team).
2. Tap the three dots at the top, or **+** next to **Members**.
3. Tap **Add Parent**.
4. Enter the parent's details, then tap **Send Invite** and share the code however you like.

In an organization, you can pick a parent who's already in it, or add a new one.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

You'll see **pending join** next to their name until they accept. Point parents to [Quick start: follow your child's progress](https://github.com/Onform-Inc/onform-docs/tree/main/get-started/start-here/parent.md) for their side.

Added a parent with the wrong role? Touch and hold their name (iPhone and iPad) or open the menu next to it (Android and web), tap **Edit** *name*'**s Details**, and change the role to **Parent**. People with the **Coach** or **Other** role are asked to pay; parents aren't.

## What parents see, and what they don't

Parents see only what's shared with them, or with a group they're in:

* **Videos and lessons you share with them.** They show up in their chat with you and in the workspace's **Library**.
* **Groups they're in**, such as **Everyone** in a team.
* **Every clip in the Library, if the workspace is set to default shared.** In a default private workspace, they see only what you share with them. See [Default private or default shared Libraries](https://github.com/Onform-Inc/onform-docs/tree/main/coaching/teach-and-share/library-visibility-and-sharing-options-default-private-or-default-shared.md).

Parents **don't** see your private chat with the athlete. Each person in a workspace has their own chat with you, so a message you send only to the athlete stays between the two of you.

## Share a lesson with the athlete and their parents

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="iPhone and iPad" %}

1. In the workspace's **Library**, touch and hold the clip, then tap **Share**.
2. Select the athlete and their parents.
3. Tap **Next**, add a message if you like, then tap **Share With 2 Recipients** (the number matches how many people you picked).
   {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Android and web" %}

1. In the workspace's **Library**, tap the three dots next to the clip, then tap **Share**.
2. Select the athlete and their parents.
3. Tap **Share**.
   {% endtab %}
   {% endtabs %}

Each person gets the clip in their own chat with you, and any replies come back to you privately. Parents who've turned on notifications get one when it arrives.

## In a team: keep individual feedback individual

The **Everyone** group in a team reaches every athlete **and every parent** in it. Save it for team-wide things like a drill demo, a schedule change or a highlight from the weekend.

For one athlete's swing, stroke or start, share with that athlete and their parents as above, so other families don't see it.

For a smaller audience, make a group: tap **+** next to **Groups**, pick the people (for example your relay squad and their parents), name the group and tap **Create Group**. A group needs at least two people besides you.

## Parents with more than one child

A parent uses one Onform account for all their children. Each child's workspace sends its own invite, so the parent gets a separate code for each child and enters each new one with **Enter Invite Code** (they tap **Personal Account**, or the organization's name, on their Home screen). Each child's workspace then appears on their Home screen.

Ask parents to sign in the same way every time, so every child ends up on the same account. See [Sign-in methods and more than one account](https://github.com/Onform-Inc/onform-docs/tree/main/account/sign-in-and-accounts/sign-in-methods-and-more-than-one-account.md).

## Safeguarding-friendly habits

If you coach young athletes, your club or governing body may require a parent or another adult to be included when you message them. A few habits make that easy:

* **Invite at least one parent to each young athlete's workspace.**
* **Share lessons with the athlete and their parent together**, rather than only with the athlete.
* **In a team, message a young athlete in a group that includes their parent**, rather than in your private chat. A small group of the athlete, their parents and you works well.
* **Keep clips of one athlete out of team-wide groups** unless the family is happy for the whole team to see them.
* **Limit re-sharing of a sensitive clip:** touch and hold it and tap **Restrict Further Sharing** (iPhone and iPad), or tap the three dots and **Restrict Sharing** (Android and web).

Your organization's own policy comes first. For background, see [Safeguarding and SafeSport with Onform](https://github.com/Onform-Inc/onform-docs/tree/main/get-started/how-onform-works/safe-sport-compliance-with-onform.md).

## If something goes wrong

| What you see                                              | What to do                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| A parent is asked to pay                                  | Check their role is **Parent**, not **Coach** or **Other**. Also check they're looking at your workspace, not their own Personal Account.                                                         |
| A parent used their child's code (or the other way round) | A code works once, so the right person can't use it now. Email <support@onform.com> with the athlete's name and we'll help you sort out who's connected.                                          |
| A parent can't see a lesson                               | They only see what's shared with them. Share it with them too, or check whether the workspace is default shared.                                                                                  |
| A parent accepted, but can't see your workspace           | They're probably signed in with a different account. Touch and hold their name (or open the menu next to it), tap **View Sign-In Info** to see how they joined, and ask them to sign in that way. |
| You don't see **Add Parent**                              | Ask your organization's admin to add the parent for you.                                                                                                                                          |

## Related

* [Quick start: follow your child's progress](https://github.com/Onform-Inc/onform-docs/tree/main/get-started/start-here/parent.md) (the parent's side)
* [Follow your child's progress](https://github.com/Onform-Inc/onform-docs/tree/main/athletes/for-parents/follow-your-childs-progress.md)
* [Invite your athletes](https://github.com/Onform-Inc/onform-docs/tree/main/coaching/organize-your-athletes/invite-your-athletes.md)
* [Why am I asked to pay?](https://github.com/Onform-Inc/onform-docs/tree/main/athletes/join-your-coach/why-am-i-asked-to-pay.md)
* [Not getting notifications?](https://github.com/Onform-Inc/onform-docs/tree/main/help/troubleshooting/notifications-not-arriving.md)


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