Making parenting time division schedules work

Creating a parenting time schedule that works for both parents and children alike is one of the most challenging tasks that co-parents need to tackle after a separation or divorce. In California, courts encourage parents to develop custody arrangements that prioritize their child’s best interests while working to ensure that both parents can maintain meaningful relationships with them. However, making a parenting time division schedule work is unquestionably easier said than done. 

There is no one-size-fits-all schedule for shared parenting time. The best arrangement for a particular family depends on that family’s needs, priorities and circumstances. With that said, some of the most common parenting time schedules worth considering include:

• Alternating weeks: The child spends one full week with one parent and the next week with the other. 
• Weekend-focused schedule: If one parent has a demanding work schedule, the child may primarily reside with one parent during the week and spend weekends or extended weekends with the other.
• 2-2-5-5 schedule: The child spends two days with each parent, followed by five days with one parent and then five days with the other. This provides more stability than the 2-2-3 schedule while still allowing frequent transitions.
• 2-2-3 schedule: The child spends two days with one parent, two days with the other, and then three days with the first parent. The following week, the schedule reverses. This allows for frequent contact and can work particularly well for younger children.

These are just some of the more common approaches used to divide parenting time. Bespoke agreements are always an option. 

Executing a plan

Once a schedule is in place, both parents need to take steps to better ensure that it runs smoothly. Good communication is often consequential when it comes to handling adjustments, resolving conflicts and keeping the focus of a co-parenting relationship on the child’s needs. Using a shared digital calendar or co-parenting app can be helpful, as it is rarely easy to keep bespoke or otherwise complex scheduling arrangements straight, especially when “life happens.”

To that end, consistency is important but flexibility is also important. Life is unpredictable, and last-minute adjustments may be necessary due to work obligations, illness or other circumstances. When parents are willing to compromise and reasonably accommodate each other, it can minimize stress for both them and their child.