Co-Parenting Schedule Templates: 2-2-3, Week On/Off, and More

Finding the right co-parenting schedule can significantly reduce stress for both parents and children. This guide explains the most common custody arrangements, their pros and cons, and how to choose the best fit for your family.

Understanding 50/50 Custody Schedules

A 50/50 custody arrangement means each parent has the child for equal time. While this sounds simple, there are many ways to structure it. The right choice depends on factors like your children’s ages, school schedules, work commitments, and the distance between homes.

Popular Co-Parenting Schedule Options

The 2-2-3 Schedule

How it works: The child spends 2 days with Parent A, 2 days with Parent B, then 3 days with Parent A. The next week, the pattern reverses.

Week 1	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Parent	A	A	B	B	A	A	A

Week 2	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Parent	B	B	A	A	B	B	B

Advantages:

• Children see both parents frequently (never more than 3 days apart)
• Each parent gets weekday and weekend time
• Consistent weekly rhythm once established

Considerations:

• More transitions than other schedules
• Requires parents to live relatively close to each other
• Can be complex to track without a shared calendar

Best for: Younger children who benefit from frequent contact with both parents, and families where parents live near each other.

Alternating Weeks (Week On/Week Off)

How it works: The child spends one full week with each parent, alternating weekly.

Week 1	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Parent	A	A	A	A	A	A	A

Week 2	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Parent	B	B	B	B	B	B	B

Advantages:

• Fewer transitions (only once per week)
• Easier to plan activities and routines
• Less back-and-forth for older children
• Simpler to understand and track

Considerations:

• 7 days between seeing each parent may feel long for younger children
• Requires good communication about school events and activities

Best for: Older children and teenagers, families where parents live further apart, or when minimising transitions is a priority.

The 3-4-4-3 Schedule

How it works: The child spends 3 days with one parent, 4 days with the other, then reverses the following week.

Week 1	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Parent	A	A	A	B	B	B	B

Week 2	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Parent	B	B	B	A	A	A	A

Advantages:

• Consistent mid-week transition point
• Each parent gets some weekend time
• Longer stretches than 2-2-3 but more frequent contact than full weeks

Considerations:

• Mid-week transitions may conflict with activities
• Still requires coordination between homes

Best for: Families wanting a balance between frequent contact and longer stays.

The 5-2-2-5 Schedule

How it works: Each parent has the same 2 weekdays every week, with weekends alternating.

Every Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Parent (Wk 1)	A	A	B	B	A	A	A
Parent (Wk 2)	A	A	B	B	B	B	B

Advantages:

• Children always know which parent they’ll be with on school nights
• Consistent weekday routines
• Each parent can plan work schedules around known days

Considerations:

• One parent may have the child during more demanding school days
• Weekend time alternates, so one parent may feel they get less “fun” time

Best for: Parents with inflexible work schedules who need predictable weekdays.

Choosing the Right Schedule for Your Family

Consider these factors when selecting a co-parenting schedule:

Children’s Ages

• Infants and toddlers (0-3): May benefit from more frequent transitions to maintain attachment with both parents. Some experts suggest shorter stays with each parent.

• Preschoolers (3-5): Can handle 2-3 day stretches. The 2-2-3 or 3-4-4-3 schedules often work well.

• School-age children (6-12): Can manage longer stretches. Alternating weeks become more feasible.

• Teenagers (13+): Often prefer longer stretches to reduce disruption. May benefit from input in the scheduling decision.

Practical Considerations

• Distance between homes: Closer homes make more frequent transitions practical
• Work schedules: Consider which days each parent can reliably be present
• School location: Which home is closer to school?
• Extracurricular activities: Which parent can transport to regular activities?
• Children’s temperament: Some children adapt easily to changes; others prefer routine

Making Any Schedule Work

Regardless of which schedule you choose:

1. Use a shared calendar: Both parents should have visibility into the schedule and any changes

2. Establish clear handoff times: “Sunday at 6pm” is clearer than “Sunday evening”

3. Plan for holidays: Decide in advance how to handle school breaks, birthdays, and holidays

4. Build in flexibility: Life happens. Having a process for requesting changes reduces conflict

5. Communicate changes early: Give as much notice as possible when schedules need to adjust

6. Keep records: Document schedule changes and agreements in writing

When Schedules Need to Change

Schedules that work for toddlers may not work for teenagers. It’s normal to revisit and adjust your co-parenting schedule as children grow and circumstances change.

Signs it may be time to reconsider your schedule:

• Children are consistently tired or stressed around transitions
• The schedule no longer fits work or school commitments
• Children have expressed preferences for different arrangements
• One parent has moved, changing the geography

Next Steps

The most important factor in any co-parenting schedule is that both parents commit to making it work. A simple schedule followed consistently is better than a complex one that causes conflict.

If you’re struggling to coordinate schedules or track changes, consider using a co-parenting app designed to keep both parents informed and reduce miscommunication.