Duohem2-2-5-5 Custody Schedule Explained
The 2-2-5-5 schedule is a repeating 14-day routine that gives each home seven nights, creating a 50/50 split. It combines short two-day stays with longer five-day stays and has four handovers per cycle.
The first four weeks
Home 1Home 2
How it works
Starting on a Monday, the child spends Monday and Tuesday in home 1, then Wednesday and Thursday in home 2. The child then spends Friday through Tuesday—five nights—in home 1.
The child spends the following Wednesday through Sunday—five nights—in home 2. The pattern then starts again on Monday, with two nights in home 1. Each 14-day cycle gives both homes seven nights and includes four handovers.
Your calendar
Change the start date to match your family. Days in each home are coloured.
Home 1Home 2
What parents like
- Each home has equal time: seven nights per 14-day cycle.
- The child sees both parents regularly throughout the cycle.
- The five-day blocks allow meaningful time in each home.
- The repeating pattern can make planning easier once it becomes familiar.
What to think about
- The four handovers in each cycle require reliable coordination.
- The two-day blocks can feel short, especially when routines or activities are busy.
- Parents need to stay aligned on school items, clothing, homework, and appointments.
Works best for
This schedule may suit families who want an equal-time routine and can manage regular handovers. It can work especially well when both homes are close enough to support school, activities, and smooth transitions.
Tips
- Put the full 14-day pattern on a shared calendar and label each home clearly.
- Agree in advance where and when each handover will happen.
- Keep everyday essentials available in both homes when possible.
- Review the routine together after a few cycles and adjust practical details if needed.
Questions and answers
How does the 2-2-5-5 schedule work?
The child spends two days in home 1, two days in home 2, five days in home 1, and five days in home 2. The 14-day pattern then repeats.
Is 2-2-5-5 a 50/50 custody schedule?
Yes. Each home has seven nights in every 14-day cycle, creating an equal 50/50 split.
How many handovers are there in a 2-2-5-5 schedule?
There are four handovers in each 14-day cycle: after the first two-day block, after the second two-day block, and after each five-day block.
What day does a 2-2-5-5 schedule start?
It can start on any day, but one common example starts on Monday: two days in home 1, two days in home 2, five days in home 1, and five days in home 2.
General information, not legal advice. What is best depends on your children and your situation.