Choosing a parenting time schedule that works for everyone after a divorce isn’t always easy. When two households operate differently, many people’s needs must be considered, and the very act of crafting a workable parenting time schedule can seem downright impossible.
Thankfully, co-parents who are committed to making their circumstances work for everyone can, with time, a thoughtful approach and experienced legal support, find a way forward. The right schedule for a particular family should reflect that family’s unique needs, priorities and general situation. It should also make sure that it is manageable and fair. What works for one family may not work for another, so flexibility and open communication are generally very important during the scheduling process.
Common approaches that can serve as starting points
One of the most common schedules is a relatively 50/50 split. This can be achieved through arrangements like alternating weeks, a 2-2-3 rotation or a 5-2-2-5 setup. These structures work best when both parents live relatively close to each other and are equally involved in day-to-day responsibilities like school pickups, doctor visits and extracurricular activities.
For families where equal time is not practical, other schedules may be more appropriate. A 60/40 or 70/30 plan allows one parent to take on a larger share of the weekday responsibilities, while the other has extended weekends or midweek stretches of parenting time. These schedules can work well when one parent travels frequently for work or lives farther away.
When a child is very young, frequent contact with both parents is often ideal, even if any given stretch of parenting time is relatively short. Infants and toddlers benefit from seeing each parent often, for example, so a schedule with multiple exchanges during the week may be best. As children grow, schedules can be adjusted to reflect their needs and preferences.
A well-crafted parenting time schedule takes all these factors into account. It also considers what each parent needs in order to remain employed and/or to honor other caregiving obligations. Arrangements that minimize stress for everyone tend to benefit everyone. Co-parenting relationships and relationships between parents and kids alike can suffer strain if one or more person’s needs are not consistently met.