The 2-3-2 custody schedule
Two nights, three nights, two nights, alternating who has the middle block. Short gaps with a fixed weekend.
50/50
time split (50% / 50%)
7 / 7
overnights per 14 nights
6
exchanges per 14 nights
2-3-2 on a two-week calendar
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | A | A | B | B | B | A | A |
| Week 2 | B | B | A | A | A | B | B |
Which ages the 2-3-2 schedule suits
Toddlers and preschoolers, as an alternative to 2-2-3 when parents want the weekend to alternate as a three-night block.
- Infants (0 to 18 months)●●○
- Toddlers (18 months to 3)●●●
- Preschool (3 to 5)●●●
- School age (6 to 12)●●○
- Teens (13+)●○○
Pros and cons of 2-3-2
Works well
- No gap longer than three nights
- Alternating three-night weekends
- True 50/50 over two weeks
Watch out for
- Six exchanges per fortnight
- The weekday pattern changes each week
What your parenting plan should say
Describe the full cycle in days and times, not as a percentage. Name the parent who starts and the date the cycle begins, state where exchanges happen, and say that the holiday schedule overrides this one. Sample wording:
In week one, Parent A shall have the children Monday and Tuesday overnight, Parent B Wednesday, Thursday and Friday overnight, and Parent A Saturday and Sunday overnight. In week two the parents reverse roles. The cycle shall begin with Parent A on a named date.
Adapt the day names and times to your family. This is sample wording, not legal advice for your case.
Write the 2-3-2 schedule into your agreement
The Complete Co-Parenting Kit includes the fillable parenting agreement with a ready-made schedule section, holiday clauses and a completion guide, plus the 30-Day Reset workbook and 20 message scripts for proposing a schedule to a reluctant co-parent.
See what is in the Kit ($297)Delivered by email. 30-day money-back guarantee.
2-3-2 schedule: questions parents ask
How is 2-3-2 different from 2-2-3?
The three-night block sits in the middle of the week in 2-3-2 and at the weekend in 2-2-3. In practice the two patterns are mirror images and suit the same ages.
Is 2-3-2 a 50/50 schedule?
Yes. Seven overnights each per fortnight.
What age is 2-3-2 for?
Roughly two to seven. Like 2-2-3 it is usually replaced by a fixed-weekday pattern at school age.
How many exchanges?
Six per fortnight, which is the cost of keeping every gap short.
What should the plan say?
Write out both weeks of the rotation, with exchange times and places, and name the starting parent and date.
Other 50/50 schedules
- 2-2-3: Never more than two or three nights apart. The most common 50/50 schedule for toddlers and preschoolers.
- 2-2-5-5: Fixed weekdays for each parent plus alternating long weekends. A gentle step up from 2-2-3.
- 5-2-2-5: Each parent keeps the same two weekdays every week and weekends alternate. The most popular 50/50 for school-age children.
- 3-4-4-3: Three nights, then four, then the reverse. Even time with a rotating weekend and only four exchanges a fortnight.
Related guides
- What Is the Best Visitation Schedule? Every Option Compared by Age, Distance and Work
- Custody Schedules for Toddlers and Infants: What Works Under 3 (With Calendars)
- Recommended Custody Schedules for 12 Common Situations (With Calendars)
- The 5-2 Custody Schedule: How It Works, Calendar Examples, Pros & Cons
- The 4-4-3 Custody Schedule: How the 4+4+3 Rotation Works (With Calendar)
- The 3-3-4-4 Custody Schedule: How It Works, Calendar Examples, Pros & Cons