The 4-4-3 (4+4+3) custody schedule

Four nights, four nights, three nights, rotating through an eleven-day cycle so the weekend moves.

50/50

time split (50% / 50%)

7 / 7

overnights per 14 nights

exchanges per 14 nights

4-4-3 (4+4+3) on a two-week calendar

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week 1	A	A	A	A	B	B	B
Week 2	B	A	A	A	B	B	B

A = Parent AB = Parent BEach cell is one overnight. The pattern repeats every two weeks.

See 4-4-3 (4+4+3) on your dates Build a 12-month 4-4-3 (4+4+3) calendar

Full guide: The 4-4-3 Custody Schedule: How the 4+4+3 Rotation Works (With Calendar)

Which ages the 4-4-3 (4+4+3) schedule suits

Shift workers and others whose work pattern does not follow a seven-day week.

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 4-4-3 (4+4+3)

Works well

Works for parents on rotating shifts
Blocks stay between three and four nights

Watch out for

The weekday pattern moves, so a wall calendar is essential
Harder to coordinate with school activities than a weekly pattern

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:

The children shall rotate between the parents in blocks of four nights with Parent A, four nights with Parent B, three nights with Parent A and three nights with Parent B, beginning with Parent A on a named date and continuing in that sequence regardless of the day of the week.

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

Write the 4-4-3 (4+4+3) 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.

4-4-3 (4+4+3) schedule: questions parents ask

What is a 4-4-3 custody schedule?

A rotation of four, four and three nights that does not lock to the days of the week. The site's version balances it over fourteen nights so it is a true 50/50.

Who uses 4-4-3?

Mostly parents whose shifts rotate, such as healthcare, emergency services and some manufacturing roles.

Is it hard for children?

The moving weekday pattern is the issue. School-age children cope with a shared calendar; younger children need a visual one at both homes.

How many exchanges?

Four per fourteen nights.

What should the plan say?

Because the pattern does not follow the week, the plan must name the exact start date and state that the sequence continues regardless of weekday. Attach a twelve-month calendar as a schedule.

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.