Week on, week off custody schedule
In a week on, week off schedule the children live with one parent for 7 nights, then with the other for 7. Each parent has half the nights and one exchange a week.
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
50% / 50% of nights
How alternating weeks work
- Parent 1 has Monday to Sunday of week 1; parent 2 has week 2.
- There is one exchange a week, on the same day each time.
- The rotation here changes over on Monday. Many families change over on Friday or Sunday instead.
Pros
- The fewest exchanges of any 50/50 schedule.
- Simple to remember and to plan around.
Cons
- A whole week away from each parent, which can be long for young children.
- Some families add a midweek dinner with the other parent.
Other custody schedules
-
2-2-5-5 custody schedule
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun1122111112222250% / 50% of nights
-
3-4-4-3 custody schedule
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun1112222111122250% / 50% of nights
-
Every other weekend custody schedule
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun1111221111111186% / 14% of nights
Questions
- Is week on, week off good for kids?
- It suits many school-age children and teenagers because it has the fewest moves. Younger children often do better with shorter stays such as 2-2-3.
- What day should a week on, week off exchange be?
- Families pick the day that suits school and work. Friday after school and Sunday evening are common; the file here changes over on Monday.
- Is alternating weeks the same as week on, week off?
- Yes. Both describe 7 nights with each parent in turn.
These are calendar layouts, not legal advice. Your parenting plan or court order decides your schedule.
Keeping track of school and activities too?
Calendar Vision reads school calendars, sports schedules, flyers and emails and puts every date in your calendar, so both households see the same plan.