The Week-on, week-off custody schedule

One full week with each parent. The simplest 50/50 and the most searched. Best for older children and teens.

50/50

time split (50% / 50%)

7 / 7

overnights per 14 nights

2

exchanges per 14 nights

Week-on, week-off on a two-week calendar

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Week 1AAAAAAA
Week 2BBBBBBB
A = Parent AB = Parent BEach cell is one overnight. The pattern repeats every two weeks.
See Week-on, week-off on your datesBuild a 12-month Week-on, week-off calendar

Full guide: Week-On, Week-Off Custody Schedule (Alternating Weeks): Pros, Cons & Examples

Which ages the Week-on, week-off schedule suits

Children of about eight and up, parents who live some distance apart, and families who want the fewest possible exchanges.

  • 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 Week-on, week-off

Works well

  • One exchange a week
  • Each parent gets a full, normal week including the weekend
  • Easy to remember and to plan work and activities around

Watch out for

  • Seven nights is too long for young children
  • Each parent misses a full week of school life every other week
  • Many families add a midweek dinner, which brings back an exchange

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 alternate weekly between the parents, with exchanges on Friday after school. Parent A shall have the first week beginning on a named date. Each parent may have the children for dinner from after school until 7.30 pm on the Wednesday of the other parent's week.

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

Write the Week-on, week-off 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.

Week-on, week-off schedule: questions parents ask

What age is week-on week-off appropriate?

Most practitioners suggest from about eight years old, and it is most common with children aged ten and up. Below that, a full week away from a parent is usually too long.

Which day should the exchange be?

Friday after school or Monday morning are the most common. Friday gives each parent a full weekend at the start of their week; Monday morning at school removes face-to-face handovers.

Should we add a midweek visit?

Many families add a Wednesday dinner. It helps younger children but adds an exchange and some logistics. Write it into the plan if you want it to happen reliably.

How does week-on week-off work with school?

Both parents need to be able to do school runs in their week and to stay informed in their off week. The communication section of the parenting plan matters more under this schedule than any other.

What should the plan say?

Name the exchange day and time, the parent who starts, the midweek visit if any, and how holiday blocks override the weekly rotation.

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.

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