Alternating-Weeks Visitation Schedule Examples

The alternating-weeks schedule is a 50/50 residential schedule. Your child spends a week with one parent and the next week with the other parent. This repeats throughout the year. You may also hear it called the every-other-week schedule.

You can customize this with Custody X Change.

Customizing the alternating-weeks schedule

You can customize the alternating-weeks schedule to fit your situation. Here are some sample alternating-weeks schedules.

Change the start day

You can pick any day to start the schedule. Here is the exchange on a Wednesday.

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Add a midweek visit

You can add a midweek visit for the other parent during the week. Here is a midweek visit on Tuesday evening.

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Add an overnight visit

You can add an overnight visit for the other parent during the week. Here is an overnight visit on Wednesday with an exchange on Sunday.

You can customize this with Custody X Change.

Use 3rd-party time

You can show when your child isn't with either parent by marking third-party time. Here is an alternating-weeks schedule with school time shown (in gray).

You can customize this with Custody X Change.

Calculate your time

You can use a visitation timeshare calculator to know the percentage of time each parent has with the child. This can help you maintain equal time with the child, even as you add holiday visits and make other changes.

You can customize this with Custody X Change.

Pros and cons of the alternating-weeks schedule

Pros:

• Parents spend equal, long periods with their children.
• Parents have equal time with their children.
• There are limited exchanges.
• You can add midweek or overnight visits so the children see both parents during the week.
• It provides consistency for children who struggle with change.
• Children stay in one home for a longer period so it's easier for them to keep up with school and extracurriculars.

Cons:

• Parents of school-aged children must live within a reasonable distance of the school.
• Parents must live reasonably close to each other.
• Some children struggle having two primary residences.
• Parents must communicate frequently and keep each other up-to-date on school and activities.
• Parents or the children may struggle being apart for an entire week

Other co-parenting schedules to consider

3-4-4-3 schedule: More exchanges allow your children to see each parent more consistently every week.

You can customize this with Custody X Change.

Two weeks each: Longer periods suit older children with their own busy social lives and school and work schedules.

You can customize this with Custody X Change.

Whole week–work week–weekend schedule: Choose how you'll split time equally over a four-week period to best suit your family's schedules.

You can customize this with Custody X Change.

The easiest way to make an alternating-weeks 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. In Step 2, make sure to select "every other week."

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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.