A divorce is hard on everyone, but it’s particularly difficult for children. As parents who want to share custody, you want to make sure you get enough time with your children while still attending to their needs and their schedules.
There are many kinds of schedules you could try, depending on your situation. Here are three that could be a good fit for your family.
- Alternating weeks
Alternating the weeks that you have your children could help you and your ex-spouse get the time you want together while lessening the stress on your children. Your children may live at each home one week at a time, giving you and your ex-spouse approximately two weeks of uninterrupted time with your children each month.
- 50/50 split
Another option is a 50/50 split. What that means to you may vary from others. For instance, you may split time by having your child spend 3.5 days at one home and 3.5 at the other, or you may divide your month into two-week periods. Maybe you split the time up into six-month custody arrangements. Whatever you do in this process, the goal is spending equal time with your child overall.
- Monthly rotation
Finally, some people do well with a monthly rotation. It’s easy to remember, and it gives parents time to prepare their work schedules to handle their children living with them bi-monthly. This schedule can work well for parents who have variable work schedules or those who live far enough apart that switching more often is a hassle.
These are a just a few potential schedules. Finding one that works for you may take some time, but it is worth doing. Our website has more on what to do when you’re trying to create a custody and visitation schedule.