3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule Explained (With Calendar)
A 50/50 schedule where the children spend 3 days with one parent and 4 with the other, then swap the next week.
Two-week calendar
How the 3-4-4-3 schedule works
In week one Parent A has three days and Parent B has four. In week two Parent A has four and Parent B has three. Over two weeks the time is equal.
There are only two handovers a week. Where the handover days fall decides the weekends: in the usual layout one parent has most weekends, so families who want to share them pick different handover days.
Pros
- Fewer handovers than 2-2-3, with gaps no longer than four days.
- Equal time across the two weeks.
- A simple pattern for children to understand.
Cons
- The days each parent has shift between weeks, which can complicate activities.
- Weekends can fall mostly to one parent unless the handover days are chosen with that in mind.
Who it suits
Families who want 50/50 with fewer changeovers, and children who manage three or four days away from a parent comfortably.
Run this schedule in MiddleWise
Choose the 3-4-4-3 schedule when you set up your family and MiddleWise fills in the calendar for both homes, with handover times and locations. Swap and holiday requests are a written yes or no, and approved changes update the calendar automatically. Handover reminders arrive the evening before, with anything still left on the packing list.
Common questions
Is 3-4-4-3 a 50/50 schedule?
Yes. Each parent has seven overnights in every two-week cycle.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Your parenting plan or court order decides your actual schedule.