DuohemEvery Other Weekend Custody Schedule
The every-other-weekend schedule gives one home most of the regular time while the other home has a consistent weekend every two weeks. It can offer a familiar weekly rhythm, with clear time for both parents.
The first four weeks
Home 1Home 2
How it works
The rotation repeats every 14 days. Starting on a Monday, the child spends four days and nights in Home 1, then three days and nights in Home 2, usually from Friday through Sunday.
The child then spends the next seven days and nights in Home 1. This creates 11 nights in Home 1 and 3 nights in Home 2 per cycle, or about 79/21, with two handovers in each 14-day cycle.
Your calendar
Change the start date to match your family. Days in each home are coloured.
Home 1Home 2
What parents like
- The child has a predictable routine from week to week.
- The weekend parent has regular, meaningful blocks of time.
- There are only two handovers in each 14-day cycle.
- School nights can remain centered in one home, which may simplify homework and activities.
What to think about
- The weekend parent has less overall time and fewer school-night moments.
- A full week between visits may feel long for some children or parents.
- Weekend plans, activities, and travel may need to fit around the fixed rotation.
Works best for
This schedule may suit families who want one primary weekday routine and a reliable every-other-weekend connection with the other parent. It can work well when both homes are able to support smooth weekend transitions and regular communication.
Tips
- Write the full 14-day rotation on a shared calendar, including handover times and locations.
- Keep school items, clothing, medication, and comfort items easy to access in both homes.
- Use a brief, consistent handover routine so transitions feel calm and predictable.
- Plan occasional calls or messages during the longer gap, if they feel helpful for the child.
Questions and answers
What does every other weekend custody mean?
It means the child spends a regular weekend with one parent every two weeks, while spending most weekdays and the alternate week in the other home.
How many nights does each parent have in an every-other-weekend schedule?
In this 14-day pattern, Home 1 has 11 nights and Home 2 has 3 nights. That is an approximately 79/21 split.
How many handovers are there in every-other-weekend custody?
There are two handovers in each 14-day cycle: one when the child moves to Home 2 for the weekend and one when the child returns to Home 1.
What does the schedule look like starting on a Monday?
The child spends four days in Home 1, three days in Home 2, and the following seven days in Home 1. The same 14-day pattern then repeats.
General information, not legal advice. What is best depends on your children and your situation.