Creating an XpassFam account for each parent: is it really necessary?

A parent registers their child for extracurricular activities via XpassFam, validates reservations, and pays invoices. The other parent, separated or simply less available that day, has no visibility on the schedule or payments. This situation affects a growing number of families who use a single account for two adults holding parental authority.

Shared XpassFam account between parents: what gets in the way daily

The most common reflex is to create a single XpassFam account at the time of the first registration, often in the name of the parent who takes the initiative. The second parent then retrieves the login details via message or a sticky note on the fridge.

In practice, this setup poses three concrete problems as soon as family life gets complicated:

• Notifications (reservation confirmation, payment reminder, schedule change) arrive at only one email address. The second parent discovers them later, sometimes too late to react.
• In case of modification or cancellation, it is impossible to know who performed the action. On a portal where each account is personal, the system records the identity of the connected person, which secures tracking.
• During a separation, the parent who does not hold the login details loses access overnight. Changing the password is enough to cut off all visibility on the child’s activities.

There are also information on xpassfam on Petites Graines that details this scenario for separated or shared custody parents.

The technical logic of XpassFam relies on the individual personal account. Sharing a single set of login details amounts to circumventing this architecture, with the frictions that it generates.

Joint parental authority and digital access: what the legal framework says

Joint parental authority remains the rule, even after a separation, unless otherwise decided by a court. The information sheets of municipal and extracurricular services also request the contact details of both parents.

This principle has a direct translation on digital portals related to the child. Public services tend to offer independent access to each parent holding parental authority. A single shared account creates an asymmetry of information that can pose problems in case of disagreement over a registration or billing.

Separation and shared custody

When parents live under the same roof, sharing login details remains manageable (even if discouraged). The real turning point comes with separation. Two distinct accounts allow each to view the schedule, receive alerts, and pay their share without relying on the other.

From a legal standpoint, denying a parent access to information regarding their child can be interpreted as an obstruction to the exercise of parental authority. Having their own XpassFam account avoids this type of conflict.

Security of family accounts: CNIL recommendations and best practices

CNIL recommends, for family digital services, to avoid shared accounts. The goal is twofold: to better track actions performed on the account and to reduce risks associated with sharing passwords within the household.

A password sent by SMS or scribbled on a piece of paper circulates easily. In case of family conflict, this vulnerability becomes a leverage of pressure. With two separate accounts, each parent controls their own access.

Creating a second XpassFam account: the procedure

The procedure is no different from the initial creation. The second parent uses their own email address, provides their personal details, and links the concerned child or children to their profile. The two accounts coexist without interference.

• Use a personal email address (not the spouse’s, not a shared address like “family-dupont@”).
• Provide a distinct phone number to receive notifications and verification codes.
• Check after creation that the child is correctly linked to the new account, in addition to the existing account.

In case of technical difficulties during login or linking, the SPL-Xdemat support can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone.

Two XpassFam accounts: when is it unnecessary

Creating two accounts does not bring much when both parents live together, manage registrations by mutual agreement, and only one of them handles extracurricular follow-up. If no one ever checks the second account, it serves no purpose.

Feedback varies on this point: some stable couples find the double account unnecessary, while others appreciate that each receives notifications without having to relay information. The decisive criterion remains the access autonomy that each parent needs on a daily basis.

However, as soon as a separation is contemplated or enacted, having two distinct accounts becomes a concrete protection. It avoids the abrupt loss of access, conflicts over uncoordinated changes, and opacity regarding payments.

Creating a second account takes a few minutes. The real cost is that of not having done it when the family situation changes.