Alternating Every 2 Days: Custody & Visitation Schedules
The alternating-every-two-days schedule is a 50/50 residential schedule. The child switches between parents' homes every two days. Also known as two days on, two days off, this schedule repeats every four weeks.
You can customize this with Custody X Change.
Customizing the alternating-every-2-days schedule
You can customize the alternating-every-two-days schedule so it works for your situation. Here are some examples of changes you can make.
Change the start day
You can change the day the schedule starts. In this month, the pattern begins Sunday at 9 a.m.
You can customize this with Custody X Change.
Change the exchange times
You can change the exchange times. Here is a schedule with exchanges at 8 a.m.
You can customize this with Custody X Change.
Some parents prefer to have different exchange times for different visits. Here is a schedule where the exchange times vary between 12 p.m. and 10:30 a.m.
You can customize this with Custody X Change.
Use third-party time
You can mark third-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.
You can customize this with Custody X Change.
Calculate your time
As you customize your schedule, use a timeshare calculator to track parenting time. It's essential if you want to maintain a 50/50 timesplit.
You can customize this with Custody X Change.
Pros and cons of an alternating-every-2-days schedule
Pros:
- The child spends time with both parents every week.
- Visits are frequent, so there aren't long breaks between seeing the children.
- It's ideal for younger children, who need frequent contact with their parents.
- Each parent participates in the child's day-to-day care.
Cons:
- The frequent exchanges 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 communicate regularly about the child's school, homework and other activities.
- Parents must live close to each other and the child's school.
Other co-parenting schedules to consider
2-2-3 schedule: The schedule follows a similar pattern, but allows the child to spend one extra day with each parent at the end of the cycle.
2-2-5-5 schedule: Each parent gets two days, then five days.
3-4-4-3 schedule: This schedule offers more time between exchanges so you won't have to exchange the child as often.
4-3 schedule: This is a 60/40 schedule that offers fewer exchanges. You split each week roughly in half.
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.
You can customize this with Custody X Change.
On Step 3, give each parent two days.
You can customize this with Custody X Change.
To make the schedule with third-party time, set the repeating rate to four weeks instead. In Step 3, add all of one parent's visits for that period. Then add the third-party time, and you'll see an option to have the time repeat weekly.
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.