7/7 Custody Schedules: Sharing Parenting Time Equally

A 7/7 schedule is an equal (50/50) parenting time arrangement that has the child spend seven days with each parent in a repeating two-week schedule.

A parent's days don't have to be in a row. You can break up your seven days over two weeks however you agree to with the other parent.

Common 7/7 schedules

You can use these common 7/7 schedules as-is or customize them to meet your family's unique needs. (See more on customizing below.)

Alternating weeks

The simplest 7/7 arrangement is the alternating weeks schedule, in which the child spends a full week with one parent, then a full week with the other.

There's only one exchange per week, so this is a good option when there's a long commute between homes or when parents want to minimize their in-person interactions. Because the child spends a full week without seeing one parent, this schedule is typically better for older children and teenagers.

3-4-4-3 schedule

In the 3-4-4-3 schedule, the child spends three days with one parent and four days with the other. Then, the child spends four days with the first parent, followed by three days with the other.

This schedule is a good option when you want longer periods of parenting time but don't want your child to go a full week without seeing either parent. It can also work well for parents who don't have Monday–Friday work schedules.

2-2-5-5 schedule

In the 2-2-5-5 schedule, the child spends two days with each parent, then five days with each.

This combination of short and long periods is a good option when you want to mix up types of parenting time. It also works well for parents with flexible work schedules.

Customizing your 7/7 schedule

Consider these popular customizations to make sure your schedule meets your child's needs.

Add holidays, birthdays and special occasions

Most states require a holiday schedule in addition to the regular parenting time schedule. Even if it's not required, your schedule should include specific arrangements for holidays, birthdays and other special occasions your family celebrates.

For example, if the other parent's birthday falls during your time, you might give them the day instead, like in this customized 3-4-4-3 schedule.

For shared holidays, parents often alternate on a yearly basis — e.g., one parent might get Thanksgiving in odd-numbered years, while the other gets it in even-numbered years.

You can use this arrangement, or you can create custom schedules for specific holidays. For example, you might want to split Thanksgiving weekend every year instead of alternating yearly.

Include age-based schedule changes

As your child grows up, you'll likely need to adapt your custody arrangements for their changing needs. Transition easily and avoid conflict by including custom provisions for schedule changes in your parenting plan.

For example, parents who use the 3-4-4-3 schedule for their young child may want longer periods of parenting time when the child gets older.

Add third-party time

Third-party time is when a child is not with either parent, such as when they're at school or with a babysitter.

Adding third-party time to your schedule helps you stay organized and get an accurate calculation of each parent's time. Depending on your state's rules, you may be able to exclude third-party time from parenting time calculations (which can affect child support).

This customized alternating weeks schedule includes third-party time for when the child is with a grandparent after school three days a week.

The easiest way to make a 7/7 schedule

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

The Custody X Change app makes it easy.

To make any of the schedules above, just follow the steps to make a custody schedule.

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