Co-parenting schedules
A parenting schedule says which home the children sleep in each night. These are the patterns family courts, mediators and parents use most. Each guide shows a real two-week calendar and the time split, plus the trade-offs.
| Schedule | Time split | Handovers / 2 weeks | Often suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-2-3 schedule | 50 / 50 | 6 | Young children, parents who live near each other, and families who want equal time without long stretches apart. |
| 2-2-5-5 schedule | 50 / 50 | 4 | School-age children, parents with steady work schedules, and families who want 50/50 with predictable weeknights. |
| 3-4-4-3 schedule | 50 / 50 | 4 | Families who want 50/50 with fewer changeovers, and children who manage three or four days away from a parent comfortably. |
| Week on, week off | 50 / 50 | 2 | Older children and teenagers, and parents who want the fewest possible handovers. |
| Every other weekend | 86 / 14 | 2 | Parents who live far apart, or families where one parent works long or irregular hours. |
| Every other weekend plus a midweek overnight | 71 / 29 | 6 | Families who want one main home but more regular contact with the other parent. |
| 5-2 schedule | 71 / 29 | 4 | Parents whose work schedules fall naturally into weekdays and weekends. |
Choosing a schedule
Younger children usually do better with shorter gaps between parents, which is why 2-2-3 and 2-2-5-5 are common for preschool and early school years. Older children and teens often prefer fewer handovers, such as week on, week off. Distance between homes, work hours and the children's activities matter as much as age. Whatever you choose, write it into your parenting plan and keep both homes working from the same calendar.
General information, not legal advice. Your parenting plan or court order decides your actual schedule.
Start with the schedule. Invite your co-parent when you're ready.
Setting up takes a few minutes. Nothing is sent to anyone until you choose to invite them.