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Common Patterns

Shared parenting schedules

These are common options, listed in order of the number of nights away from either parent. The first are for a younger child, moving down progressively as the child gets older.

Six patternsIn order of nights away
Two weeksShown in every grid
Roughly equalTime with each parent

A shared schedule divides time roughly equally. It asks more of both parents in coordination, and it asks more of the child in transitions, which is why the patterns lower down the page suit older children better.

The number in each name is the pattern of nights. 2-2-3 means two nights, two nights, three nights, then the next week reverses.

Primary schedules, where the child has a home base with one parent, are set out here.

2-2-3

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
Parent AParent BTwo weeks shown
Structure
The child spends two days with Parent A, two days with Parent B, then three days with Parent A. The next week reverses.
  • Usually best to start on a Monday, so that the three days is over the weekend
Best for
Families with young children needing frequent contact with both parents.
Considerations
  • Balanced weekdays and weekends
  • Many transitions require coordination

2-2-5-5

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
Parent AParent BTwo weeks shown
Structure
Weekdays are consistent, with Parent A having Monday and Tuesday nights and Parent B having Wednesday and Thursday every week, with alternating weekends.
Best for
Families with children or tweens seeking a balance between stability and equal parenting time.
Considerations
  • Balanced weekdays and weekends
  • Fewer transitions compared to 2-2-3, while maintaining equal time
  • Transitions happen at school, which reduces direct communication between parents and provides a buffer for the child between homes

3-4-3-4

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
Parent AParent BTwo weeks shown
Structure
The child has three days with one parent and four with the other, splitting weekends late on Saturday.
Best for
Families with young children who want consistent days but who want to balance weekday and weekend time.
Considerations
  • Having to split each weekend makes it difficult to go away
  • Transition happens at one parent's house, which can be an opportunity for conflict

3-4-4-3

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
Parent AParent BTwo weeks shown
Structure
The child spends three days with Parent A, four days with Parent B, then four days with Parent A and three with Parent B.
  • You can start any day, but Tuesdays and Wednesdays are common, to allow parents to share weekends
Best for
Families with young children needing frequent contact with both parents.
Considerations
  • Fewer transitions
  • Broken weekends make it difficult to go away

Every weekend, with school transitions

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
Parent AParent BTwo weeks shown
Structure
The child has weekday time with one parent and weekends with the other.
Best for
Families with young children who want consistent days.
Considerations
  • One parent becomes the homework parent and the other becomes the fun parent
  • Transitions happen at school, which reduces direct communication between parents and provides a buffer for the child between homes

Week on, week off

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
Parent AParent BTwo weeks shown
Structure
The child spends one full week with Parent A, then one full week with Parent B.
  • Common transition days: Friday, moving into the weekend; Monday, after the weekend; or Tuesday, allowing for long weekends and professional development days
Best for
Older children who are comfortable spending longer periods away from each parent.
Considerations
  • Balanced weekdays and weekends
  • The fewest transitions of any schedule
  • Transitions may happen at school, which reduces direct communication between parents and provides a buffer for the child between homes
Choosing One

There is no one-size-fits-all schedule

Shared schedules can flexibly work around your family's specific needs. Try to find the one that best meets your family's needs, thinking about the following, and find the right balance for your child's age, developmental stage and temperament.

Your child's age
Your child's activities and routines
Ensuring consistency and predictability for you and your child
How much time away from either parent your child can handle, which changes as they get older
How you spend weekends: do you like to go away, or do you both want to share each weekend?
Minimising transitions, which can be stressful and tiring for your child

On transitions.
• fewer transitions provide more stability and consistency, which helps them feel secure
• longer stretches of quality time with each parent, which supports stronger relationships
• less opportunity for conflict during handoffs, which creates a calmer environment

You can adjust the schedule over time as needs change and your child gets older. Nothing you agree now has to last forever.

PreviousPrimary parenting schedules
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