Every Other Weekend Custody Schedule
One parent has primary custody. The other parent takes every other weekend, typically Friday after school through Sunday evening.
by The CoreParent Co-Founders · Last updated
In short
One parent has the children most of the time, and the other parent has them every other weekend, usually Friday after school through Sunday. In the calendar, that is 11 of 14 days with Parent A and 3 of 14 with 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; the calendar marks Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of week 2 for Parent B. Many families add a weekday dinner or overnight during the off-week to bring the split closer to 70/30.
A two-week example
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Week 2 | A | A | A | A | B | B | B |
Parent A has all of week 1 and Monday through Thursday of week 2. Parent B picks up on Friday of week 2 and has the weekend. If the children go back on Sunday evening, Parent B has two overnights; if they go back to school on Monday morning, Parent B has three.
By the numbers
- Cycle: 2 weeks, then it repeats.
- Time with each parent: Parent A 11 of 14 days, Parent B 3 of 14 days (79/21).
- Exchanges: 2 every two weeks (1 per week on average).
- Longest stretch: Parent A 11 days in a row, Parent B 3 days in a row.
What makes it work
- A protected weekend. The weekend is the second parent's main time, so both parents treat it as fixed and plan activities, parties, and trips around it.
- Midweek contact. A regular call or a weekday dinner keeps the second parent part of the children's week, not just their weekends.
- Shared school information. The second parent sees few school days, so report cards, teacher emails, and event dates should reach both homes.
Pros and cons
- Stable school-week routine with one primary home
- Minimal disruption to school and activities
- Common default in court orders when parents live apart
- Heavily weighted toward the primary parent: about 80/20 (11 of 14 days)
- Secondary parent can feel like a 'weekend visitor' rather than a co-parent
- Long gaps for the secondary parent: up to 11 days between weekends without a midweek visit
Best for
When parents live too far apart for frequent exchanges, or when one parent's work schedule prevents weekday custody.
By age
General guidance only. Every child is different, and what fits can change as they grow.
- Under 3: The 11-day gap is long for a very young child. Child-development guidance generally favors short, frequent time with each parent at this age, so many families add short weekday visits.
- 3 to 5: Adding a midweek dinner or a short visit helps young children stay close to the second parent between weekends.
- 6 to 12: Workable, especially when the weekends are reliable and the second parent shows up for some school events.
- Teens: Teens may push back on giving up weekends with friends. Some flexibility, like a shorter weekend or a swap, can help keep the time meaningful.
Exchanges, holidays, and summer
- Exchange times: Two every two weeks: Friday pickup after school, and the return on Sunday evening or at school on Monday morning.
- 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: Many plans give the second parent a longer block in summer, such as one or two weeks, which evens out some of the time over the year.
Common variations
- Long weekend: Pickup moves to Thursday and the weekend runs to Monday, so the second parent has 4 days every two weeks.
- Every weekend: The second parent has every weekend instead of every other one.
- Adding a midweek dinner: A weekday dinner each week, often on Wednesday, means the second parent never goes much more than a week without seeing the children.
Common pitfalls
- The weekend parent can become the fun parent. Weekends are often packed with outings. Sharing routines, chores, and homework time keeps things balanced in both homes.
- Missed weekends hurt. With only 3 days every two weeks, a canceled weekend means a long stretch apart. Agree on how make-up time works.
- The gap between weekends is long. Eleven days without seeing a parent is a lot for some children. Plan calls or a midweek visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much time does each parent have?
In the calendar, the primary parent has 11 of 14 days and the other parent has 3 of 14, about 80/20. If the children return on Sunday evening, the second parent has two overnights every two weeks instead of three.
Can every other weekend become more balanced?
Yes. Common additions are a weekday dinner, a midweek overnight, or extending the weekend to Thursday or Monday. Adding one weekday overnight in the off week gives the second parent one more night every two weeks.
Is every other weekend good for young children?
The long gaps between visits can be hard for very young children, so many families add short, frequent contact such as weekday visits or calls.
What happens on holidays?
Most plans add a holiday schedule on top of the weekend rotation, and the holiday schedule takes priority when they conflict.
Put it on your calendar
In CoreParent, pick Alternating Weekends in your parenting plan, choose who has the weekdays and who has the first weekend, 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.