CoreParent
Custody Schedules

Every Other Weekend Custody Schedule

One parent has primary custody. The other parent takes every other weekend, typically Friday after school through Sunday evening.

One primary parent; other parent has alternating Fri-Sun weekends

Two-Week Pattern

M
T
W
T
F
S
S
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
Parent A Parent B

How It Works

The primary parent has the children during the school week. Every other weekend the children go to the secondary parent from Friday (after school or work) through Sunday evening. Many families add a weekday dinner or overnight during the off-week to bring the split closer to 70/30.

Best For

When parents live too far apart for frequent exchanges, or when one parent's work schedule prevents weekday custody.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Stable school-week routine with one primary home
  • Minimal disruption to school and activities
  • Common default in court orders when parents live apart

Cons

  • Heavily weighted toward the primary parent — roughly 80/20
  • Secondary parent can feel like a 'weekend visitor' rather than a co-parent
  • Does not meet most modern courts' 'frequent and continuing contact' preference