Week On / Week Off Custody Schedule
Children spend a full week with each parent, alternating. One exchange per week. The simplest 50/50 arrangement.
by The CoreParent Co-Founders · Last updated
In short
The children live with one parent for a full week, then with the other parent for a full week. There is one exchange a week, and each parent has exactly half the overnights (7 of 14).
How it works
Sunday evening or Monday morning exchange. Children live with Parent A for 7 days, then Parent B for 7 days. Many families add a mid-week dinner or video call with the off-parent to stay connected.
A two-week example
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Week 2 | B | B | B | B | B | B | B |
Parent A has all of week 1 and Parent B has all of week 2. The calendar above starts on Monday, but the exchange can fall on any day the parents choose, as long as it stays the same.
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: 2 every two weeks (1 per week on average).
- Longest stretch: Parent A 7 days in a row, Parent B 7 days in a row.
What makes it work
- A fixed exchange day and time. Pick one, such as Sunday at 6 PM or Monday at school, and keep it. Children settle faster when they know exactly when the switch happens.
- Contact during the off week. A call, a video chat, or a dinner midweek keeps the other parent part of the week, especially for younger children.
- Matching basics in both homes. With a full week in each home, children need their own bed, clothes, and school supplies in both places, so very little has to travel.
Pros and cons
- Only one exchange per week, so very little back-and-forth
- Each parent gets a full uninterrupted week with the kids
- Simplest to remember and schedule around
- Seven days is a long time away from the other parent, especially for young children
- If something goes wrong, a whole week passes before the other parent is there
- Harder for very young kids (under 5) who don't have a strong sense of time
Best for
Older children (10+), especially teens who value continuity. Works for parents who live further apart.
By age
General guidance only. Every child is different, and what fits can change as they grow.
- Under 3: Usually too long apart. Child-development guidance generally favors short, frequent time with each parent at this age, so look at 2-2-3 or another schedule with shorter stretches.
- 3 to 5: Often hard. A week is a long time for a young child. Some families start with shorter blocks and move to week on, week off later.
- 6 to 12: Can work well, especially with a midweek call or dinner with the other parent.
- Teens: A common choice. Fewer moves suit busy schedules, and many teens like settling in for a full week.
Exchanges, holidays, and summer
- Exchange times: One exchange a week, on the same day every week. Doing it at school (one parent drops off, the other picks up) avoids a face-to-face hand-off.
- 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 families keep week on, week off all summer, which already gives each parent room to travel. Some switch to two weeks on, two weeks off for longer trips.
Common variations
- Every other week plus a midweek dinner: The off-week parent has the children for dinner midweek, so neither parent goes a full week without seeing them.
- 2-2-5-5: Splits the week into fixed weekdays plus alternating weekends, with no more than 5 days apart.
- Two weeks each: Longer blocks of 14 days. Usually only for older teens or parents who live far apart.
Common pitfalls
- The off week can feel long. Especially for younger children. Plan a regular call or a short visit so the absent parent stays present.
- Things get forgotten for a whole week. A forgotten instrument or medication can mean a trip across town. Keep a checklist for exchange day.
- Communication drops off. When each parent runs a full week alone, school news and health updates can get lost. Write down what the other parent needs to know before each exchange.
Frequently asked questions
Is week on, week off a 50/50 schedule?
Yes. Each parent has the children for 7 of the 14 overnights in every two-week cycle.
What day should the exchange be?
Any day both parents can keep. Sunday evening and Monday at school are common, because the new week starts in the other home.
Is week on, week off good for young children?
Usually not for children under 3 to 5, since a week is long to be apart at that age. Many families use shorter blocks first and move to weekly blocks as the children get older.
How is it different from 2-2-5-5?
Week on, week off has one exchange a week and 7 days in a row with each parent. 2-2-5-5 has two exchanges a week, fixed weekdays, and no more than 5 days in a row.
Put it on your calendar
In CoreParent, pick Week On / Week Off in your parenting plan, choose the exchange day and 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.