Understanding Common Custody Schedules

Choosing a custody schedule is one of the first and most important decisions you'll make as co-parents. The "right" schedule isn't about what's fair to the parents—it's about what works best for your children's ages, temperaments, and your specific logistics.

Here is a breakdown of the most common custody patterns to help you decide.

1. The 2-2-3 Schedule

How it works: The child spends 2 days with Parent A, 2 days with Parent B, and then alternates 3-day weekends (Fri-Sun).

Best for: Younger children (toddlers to early elementary) who need frequent contact with both parents.

• Pros: Neither parent goes more than 2-3 days without seeing the child.
• Cons: Frequent transitions (exchanges) can be stressful if parents don't get along well.

2. Week On / Week Off

How it works: The child spends one full week with Parent A, then one full week with Parent B. Exchanges usually happen on Fridays or Mondays.

Best for: Older children (teens), low-conflict co-parenting relationships, and parents who live close to the child's school.

• Pros: Fewer transitions; allows for a settled routine at each house.
• Cons: Seven days can feel like a long time for a child to be away from a parent.

3. The 2-2-5-5 Schedule

How it works: Parent A has Mon-Tue, Parent B has Wed-Thu. They alternate weekends (Fri-Sun). This results in a 2-2-5-5 cycle.

Best for: Elementary to middle school ages. Offers predictability for school days.

• Pros: Kids always know where they will be on weeknights (e.g., "Dad always has Mondays").
• Cons: Still requires decent communication.

4. Every Other Weekend

How it works: The child lives primarily with one parent and visits the other parent every other weekend, sometimes with a mid-week dinner visit.

Best for: Parents who live far apart, high-conflict situations where minimized contact is better, or parents with demanding work schedules.

Choosing What's Right

Remember, your schedule can change as your children grow. What works for a 3-year-old rarely works for a 13-year-old. Be willing to evaluate and adjust.