Time-Sharing
A practical, child‑centered guide for parents navigating two homes

Main Elements

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If you have been separated for some time, look closely at the schedule your family has naturally developed.

Consider:

What works and doesn't work about the current schedule.
Have school mornings, homework, activities, transportation, and bedtime routines been handled successfully?
Is one parent consistently exercising more or less time than originally expected?
How are the children responding to the transitions?

Your current arrangement does not have to become your permanent schedule. However, it gives you useful information about what is realistic for your family.

It can be tempting to begin with a desired percentage and work backward. Overnight percentages must be identifiable for certain required financial calculations, but a percentage alone does not show how a schedule will feel in practice.

Common starting points include:

Alternating weeks

This creates fewer exchanges and can provide longer periods of consistency in each home. However, an entire week away from either parent may feel too long for some children.

A 2-2-5-5 schedule

Each parent has the same two weekdays every week, with weekends alternating. This can make school and activity planning easier, although it involves more exchanges.

A 2-2-3 schedule

This allows frequent contact with both parents and may work well for younger children. It also creates frequent transitions and requires parents to live reasonably close to one another.

Alternating weekends with weekday time

This may better reflect work schedules, travel distances, or the arrangement the family has already been following. It can also be expanded by beginning or ending weekends at school.

A customized schedule
Some families need a schedule built around shift work, military obligations, seasonal employment, school

Overall, instead of simply asking, “Does this look equal?” Consider also asking, “Can our children and both parents realistically live this schedule week after week?”

Communication Between Co-Parents

Even the best Parenting Plan cannot anticipate every situation. That's why establishing clear communication expectations is an important part of successful co-parenting.

Parents may decide:

How they will communicate with one another
Which communication methods they will use
How they will notify each other about schedule changes
How emergencies will be handled
How the children will communicate with the parent they are not currently with

Communication may take place through text messages, email, phone calls, or co-parenting apps, depending on what works best for the family.

Establishing clear communication guidelines helps reduce misunderstandings, minimize conflict, and keep both parents informed about their children's needs.

Communication with Children

Parenting Plans may also address how children will communicate with the parent they are not currently staying with. Establishing reasonable expectations for phone calls, video chats, or other forms of communication helps children maintain meaningful relationships with both parents while respecting each household's routines.

Co-parents discussing school schedules, activities and responsibilities

Other Considerations

Every family is unique, and some choose to include additional guidelines that reflect their specific circumstances. While these topics are not required in every Parenting Plan, discussing them in advance can help reduce misunderstandings and create clearer expectations.

Important Documents

Who keeps important documents, such as passports or birth certificates

Time-Sharing A practical, child‑centered guide for parents navigating two homes

Main Elements

Other Considerations

Time-Sharing
A practical, child‑centered guide for parents navigating two homes