The 3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule

In short

The week splits into a 3-day block and a 4-day block, and the blocks swap sizes every week. Over two weeks, each parent has exactly half the overnights (7 of 14), with 2 exchanges a week.

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Parent A

Parent B

Week 1 (top) · Week 2 (bottom)

How it works

Week 1: Parent A takes Monday-Wednesday (3 days), Parent B takes Thursday-Sunday (4 days). Week 2: Parent A takes Monday-Thursday (4 days), Parent B takes Friday-Sunday (3 days). Each parent gets 7 days over the 14-day cycle.

A two-week example

A = Parent A, B = Parent B. The pattern then repeats.
	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week 1	A	A	A	B	B	B	B
Week 2	A	A	A	A	B	B	B

Parent A has Monday through Wednesday in week 1 and Monday through Thursday in week 2. Only Thursday changes hands between the weeks. As drawn here, Parent B has both weekends; starting the rotation on a different day spreads the weekends between both parents.

By the numbers

Cycle: 2 weeks, then it repeats.
Time with each parent: Parent A 7 of 14 days, Parent B 7 of 14 days (50/50).
Exchanges: 4 every two weeks (2 per week on average).
Longest stretch: Parent A 4 days in a row, Parent B 4 days in a row.

What makes it work

Blocks long enough to settle in. Three or four days in each home gives children time to unpack, follow a routine, and finish a school week's worth of homework.
A clear rule for Thursday. Thursday is the only day that moves, so put it in writing and on a shared calendar.
Fair weekends. Decide up front how weekends are shared, either by starting the rotation on a different day or by swapping some weekends, so one parent isn't left with only school days.

Pros and cons

Pros

50/50 split with only 2 transitions per week
Blocks are long enough to feel settled, short enough to stay connected
Each parent has at least 3 days in a row, long enough to settle in

Cons

Thursday switches homes from week to week, which takes some getting used to
Less predictable than 2-2-5-5 for school-night routines
As shown, Parent B has every weekend and Parent A has none, unless the rotation starts on a different day

Best for

Elementary-age kids whose parents want 50/50 but find 2-2-3 too transition-heavy.

By age

General guidance only. Every child is different, and what fits can change as they grow.

Under 3: Three or four days apart can be long for a very young child. Child-development guidance generally favors short, frequent time with each parent at this age, so 2-2-3 is often a better starting point.
3 to 5: Possible for children who handle transitions well, especially with a call during the 4-day blocks.
6 to 12: A good fit for many school-age children: fewer moves than 2-2-3, but never more than 4 days away from either parent.
Teens: Works, though some teens prefer the simpler week on, week off.

Exchanges, holidays, and summer

Exchange times: Two a week: Monday and Thursday in week 1, Monday and Friday in week 2. School drop-off and pickup work well for most of them.
Holidays: Most plans lay a holiday schedule over the regular rotation, with major holidays alternating by year. The holiday plan wins when they conflict, and the regular schedule picks back up after.
Summer: Some families keep 3-4-4-3 in summer; others switch to week on, week off for longer trips.

Common variations

2-2-3: Shorter blocks with 3 exchanges a week. Often chosen for younger children.
2-2-5-5: Fixed weekdays every week, with one 5-day stretch per parent every two weeks.
Week on, week off: One exchange a week and 7 days in each home.

Common pitfalls

Mixing up the Thursday. It is the day most likely to cause confusion. Keep the schedule where everyone can see it.
Uneven weekends. As drawn here, one parent has every weekend. If that isn't what you want, choose your start day on purpose.
Four days can feel long for little ones. Plan a call or short visit during the 4-day blocks if the child struggles.

Frequently asked questions

Is 3-4-4-3 a 50/50 schedule?

Yes. Each parent has 7 of the 14 overnights in every two-week cycle.

How many exchanges are there?

Two per week, four every two weeks.

What's the longest time away from a parent?

Four days. Each parent's longest block is 4 days in a row.

How is 3-4-4-3 different from 2-2-3?

Both are 50/50. 2-2-3 has 3 exchanges a week and blocks of 2 or 3 days; 3-4-4-3 has 2 exchanges a week and blocks of 3 or 4 days.

Put it on your calendar

In CoreParent, pick 3-4-4-3 in your parenting plan, choose who starts, and your calendar fills in who has the kids for the next 90 days. Share it with your co-parent, or keep it to yourself.