How do you divide time with the children? Most separated parents choose from a handful of fixed schedules. Below are the six most common, each with a two-week example, the split and the number of handovers.
There is no best schedule. What works depends on the children's age, how far you live from each other and from school, your work, and how easily you coordinate.
The schedules side by side
| Schedule | Split | Handovers per 2 weeks | Often chosen for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week on week off | 50/50 | 2 | School-age children and teens |
| 2-2-5-5 (5-2-2-5) | 50/50 | 4 | Primary school children, parents nearby |
| 2-2-3 | 50/50 | 6 | Young children, parents very close |
| 70/30 | 71/29 | 4 | One fixed base, parents further apart |
| 60/40 | 64/36 | 6 | Nearly equal, limited weekday time |
| Every other weekend (80/20) | 79/21 | 2 | Parents far apart |
All schedules
Week on week off
A full week with one parent, then a full week with the other. One handover a week.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | B→A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
| Week 2 | A→B | B | B | B | B | B | B |
Half coloured = handover day: the children go from one parent to the other that day.
Read all about week on week off: how it works, pros and cons, and who it suits →
2-2-5-5 (5-2-2-5)
Each parent has two fixed weekdays; weekends alternate. An equal split, four handovers per two weeks.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | B→A | A | A→B | B | B→A | A | A |
| Week 2 | A | A | A→B | B | B | B | B |
Half coloured = handover day: the children go from one parent to the other that day.
Read all about 2-2-5-5 (5-2-2-5): how it works, pros and cons, and who it suits →
2-2-3
Blocks of two, two and three days. Never more than three days with one parent, six handovers per two weeks.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | B→A | A | A→B | B | B→A | A | A |
| Week 2 | A→B | B | B→A | A | A→B | B | B |
Half coloured = handover day: the children go from one parent to the other that day.
Read all about 2-2-3: how it works, pros and cons, and who it suits →
70/30
The children mainly live with one parent; the other parent has every other weekend and a weekday.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | A | A | A | A | A→B | B | B |
| Week 2 | B→A | A | A→B | B→A | A | A | A |
Half coloured = handover day: the children go from one parent to the other that day.
Read all about 70/30: how it works, pros and cons, and who it suits →
60/40
Nearly equal: the other parent has every other weekend and a fixed weekday every week.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | A | A | A→B | B→A | A→B | B | B |
| Week 2 | B→A | A | A→B | B→A | A | A | A |
Half coloured = handover day: the children go from one parent to the other that day.
Read all about 60/40: how it works, pros and cons, and who it suits →
Every other weekend (80/20)
The children live with one parent and spend every other weekend with the other. Two handovers per two weeks.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | A | A | A | A | A→B | B | B |
| Week 2 | B→A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
Half coloured = handover day: the children go from one parent to the other that day.
Read all about every other weekend (80/20): how it works, pros and cons, and who it suits →
How do you choose a schedule?
Age. Young children often benefit from shorter periods, such as 2-2-3 or 2-2-5-5. Older children and teenagers can usually spend a week with one parent, and often want a say.
Distance. The more handovers, the closer you need to live to each other and to school. Over a greater distance, week on week off or every other weekend often works better.
Work. Fixed working days fit well with 2-2-5-5, where the weekdays are fixed. With irregular work, a simple schedule with few handovers is often calmer.
Communication. Every handover is a moment of coordination. Choose a schedule that fits how you get along now, not how you hope it will be one day.
Holidays and celebrations
Whichever schedule you choose, agree on holidays and celebrations separately, for example the summer holiday in two halves and Christmas alternating. Put it in your parenting plan. Read more in dividing holidays and celebrations as co-parents.
The schedule in Harmoneaz
In Harmoneaz you colour in the schedule once, over one or two weeks. The app finds the handover days itself, puts them in both parents' calendars and creates a packing list for each handover day. A swap or holiday goes in as a temporary schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Which co-parenting schedule is used most?
For an equal split, week on week off and 2-2-5-5 are the most common. When the children mainly live with one parent, every other weekend is the best-known arrangement.
Can you change a schedule later?
Yes. Children grow older and situations change. Many parents start with short periods and later switch to a calmer schedule. Agree in your parenting plan when you will review the schedule.
Does the schedule need to be in the parenting plan?
Yes. In the Netherlands the parenting plan must state how you divide care and upbringing. An example schedule makes that concrete.
More information
- Dutch government: parenting plan checklist (in Dutch)
- Netherlands Youth Institute: separation (in Dutch)
This is general information, not legal advice. The split in days is an approximation: the number of nights depends on the handover moment.
