Custody schedules and parenting plans can take many forms because no two coParenting situations are the same. Below we examine the most common parenting plans (custody schedules) and identify the age and situation that they are best suited for:
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Every other weekend
The every other weekend plan is a “limited access to children” plan where one parent sees the child 20 percent of the time. This plan is instituted if parents are far away from one another and or one parent has a very demanding weekday schedule.
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The 2-2-2-2 parenting plan is often used with very young children to help them be able to spend equal time with parents without any significant length of time away from either parent. It works best if parents live near one another and have similar home setups.
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Extended Weekend – Fri – Mon
The ‘extended weekends’ plan from Friday to Monday, allows for parents that live some distance away from one another to be able to have weekly contact. Is used when one party has a demanding or unavailable weekday schedule due to education or work demands.
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The 2-2-5-5 parenting plan works well for coParents that live near one another and the children’s schools and activities. It is a shared schedule that allows parents equal access with some extended periods of parenting time including weekends and school days or weekdays.
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Week on and Week Off
The week-on-week off parenting plan allows both parents to spend equal time with children including weekends and weekdays or school time. This suits older children as opposed to infants or toddlers due to the prolonged absence of one parent.
It is important to create a parenting plan that is least disruptive to your child and one that is based on their best interests.
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