Alternating Every 2 Days: Custody & Visitation Schedules

The alternating every 2 days schedule is a 50/50 residential schedule that has the child alternate parents every 2 days.

Here's how it looks in the calendar.

Also known as 2 days on, 2 days off, this schedule repeats every 4 weeks.

Customizing the alternating every 2 days schedule

You can customize the alternating every 2 days schedule so it works for your family. Here are some examples of changes you can make.

Change the start day

You can change the day the schedule starts. Here the schedule starts on Monday with the child living with the father.

Change the exchange times

You can change the exchange times. Here is a schedule that starts on Monday with exchanges at 8:00 am.

You can have different exchange times for different visits. Here is a schedule that starts on Monday where the exchange times vary between 12:00 pm and 10:30 am.

Use 3rd-party time

You can mark 3rd party time when your child is in school or day care and not with either parent. Here is a schedule that shows when the child is in school.

To make this schedule in Custody X Change, set the repeating rate to four weeks (rather than four days) and put in both parents' time. Then add the school days. You'll see an option to set them to repeat weekly.

Calculate your time

As you customize your schedule, a visitation timeshare calculator can show you the exact amount of time each parent has the children. This can help you make a custom alternating every 2 days schedule in which parents still have equal time.

Pros and cons of an alternating every 2 days schedule

Pros:

• The child is able to spend time with both parents each week.
• Visits are frequent and short, so there aren't long periods between seeing a parent.
• This schedule can work well for younger children.
• Parents have equal time so there may be less fighting over the schedule.
• This is a shared parenting schedule, so each parent participates in day-to-day care.
• Both parents are very involved in the child's life.

Cons:

• There are frequent exchanges that require planning and organization.
• The exchange days change constantly, so parents must keep careful track.
• The child switches homes frequently and may have a hard time adapting.
• Parents must be able to communicate well about the child's school, homework and other activities.
• Parents must live close to each other.
• Both parents must live close to the child's school.

The easiest way to make an alternating every 2 days schedule

There's a lot to think about when you build a parenting time schedule. You'll want it to address holidays and school breaks, give the right amount of time to each parent, and work for years to come.

The Custody X Change app makes it easy. Just follow the steps to make a custody schedule.

On Step 2, select "custom repeating rate." Hit "next" and choose a repeating rate of four days.

On Step 3, give each parent two days.

To make a custody schedule quickly and affordably, turn to Custody X Change. You'll get a written schedule and a visual calendar that meet your family's needs, as well as court standards.