The 3-3-4-4 custody schedule

Fixed three-night blocks for each parent, then the four-night weekend block alternates.

50/50

time split (50% / 50%)

7 / 7

overnights per 14 nights

4

exchanges per 14 nights

3-3-4-4 on a two-week calendar

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Week 1AAABBBA
Week 2AAABBBB
A = Parent AB = Parent BEach cell is one overnight. The pattern repeats every two weeks.
See 3-3-4-4 on your datesBuild a 12-month 3-3-4-4 calendar

Full guide: The 3-3-4-4 Custody Schedule: How It Works, Calendar Examples, Pros & Cons

Which ages the 3-3-4-4 schedule suits

Parents who want two fixed weekday blocks plus an alternating long weekend, with no block over four nights.

  • 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 3-3-4-4

Works well

  • The three-night blocks fall on the same weekdays every week
  • Four exchanges per fortnight
  • Weekends alternate

Watch out for

  • Less common, so schools and attorneys are less familiar with it
  • The four-night weekend block is long for children under about four

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:

Parent A shall have the children every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday overnight. Parent B shall have the children every Thursday, Friday and Saturday overnight. The parents shall alternate the Sunday overnight so that each has four consecutive nights every other week.

Adapt the day names and times to your family. This is sample wording, not legal advice for your case.

Write the 3-3-4-4 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.

3-3-4-4 schedule: questions parents ask

How does 3-3-4-4 differ from 3-4-4-3?

In 3-3-4-4 the three-night blocks are on fixed weekdays and only the fourth night alternates. In 3-4-4-3 the whole weekday pattern shifts each week.

Is it a 50/50 split?

Yes, seven nights each per fortnight.

What ages suit 3-3-4-4?

Roughly preschool to early teens. The fixed weekdays help school-age children.

How many exchanges?

Four per fortnight.

What should the plan say?

Name the fixed weekday blocks, state which parent has the alternating night in the first week from a named date, and add exchange details.

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