Practical information, not legal advice. Every family’s circumstances are different; no schedule or organisational approach suits everyone.

Start with your child’s week, not a label

A parenting schedule describes when a child spends time in each household. A repeating pattern is only one part of the plan: school, work, travel time, activities and changeovers all affect how it works in practice.

Families have different circumstances. The examples below are starting points for understanding patterns, not recommendations about what arrangement your family should use. Adapt practical planning to your child’s needs and any arrangements already in place.

2-2-3: shorter blocks, alternating weekends

In a typical two-week example, Home A has Monday and Tuesday, Home B has Wednesday and Thursday, then Home A has Friday through Sunday. The following week reverses the households. Each home has seven overnights across the fortnight.

The shorter blocks mean more frequent changeovers. Check school pickups, transport and what needs to travel between homes. See the 2-2-3 parenting schedule explained for a two-week calendar.

2-2-5-5: fixed weekdays, alternating weekends

In a common version, Home A always has Monday and Tuesday, Home B always has Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday through Sunday alternates. Each home’s weekend joins its fixed weekdays to make a five-night block. Over two weeks, each home has seven overnights.

Fixed weekdays may help organise regular activities and work commitments, but the longer blocks and transport still need thought. Explore a full 2-2-5-5 calendar example.

Week-on/week-off: alternating full weeks

One home has a full week, then the other has the next. Choose a clear handover day, time and place. This structure has fewer routine changeovers than the shorter-block examples, but a longer interval between stays in each home.

Think about school materials, activities, travel and any agreed contact during the week. Read the week-on/week-off guide for practical considerations.

Other arrangements and exceptions

Not every family uses equal time or a repeating fortnight. Some organise different weekday and weekend blocks, or adjust around shift work or distance. A holiday arrangement may differ from the term-time pattern. Equal numbers of overnights do not, on their own, tell you whether an arrangement works for a child.

Make the pattern clear in a calendar

  • Write actual dates, not just “every second weekend”.
  • Record the changeover time, location and transport plan.
  • Mark school holidays and special occasions separately.
  • Keep a clear record of agreed changes.

A shared co-parenting calendar makes the pattern easier to follow. SplitParent’s parenting schedule and calendar features keep parenting days alongside appointments and school activities.