With the 2-2-3 schedule the children spend two days with one parent, two days with the other, and then three days (the weekend) with the first again. The next week it flips. That way the children are never away from a parent for more than three days.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Handover B→A | Parent A | Handover A→B | Parent B | Handover B→A | Parent A | Parent A |
| Week 2 | Handover A→B | Parent B | Handover B→A | Parent A | Handover A→B | Parent B | Parent B |
Half coloured = handover day: the children go from one parent to the other that day.
How it works
Week 1: Monday and Tuesday parent A, Wednesday and Thursday parent B, Friday to Sunday parent A. Week 2 is exactly the other way round. Over two weeks it is seven days each.
Unlike 2-2-5-5, the weekdays are not fixed: Monday is with parent A one week and with parent B the next.
Advantages
- Short periods: the children see each parent every two or three days.
- An equal split, with every other weekend at each parent's home.
- Often chosen for young children who find a week too long.
Disadvantages
- Six handovers per two weeks. That is a lot of back and forth.
- The weekdays shift, so fixed clubs or working days fit less easily.
- Only workable if you live close to each other and can coordinate easily.
Who is it for?
Often chosen for toddlers and preschoolers, and for parents who live very close and have flexible work. Many parents later switch to 2-2-5-5 or week on week off.
Variations
- 3-4-4-3: three and four days instead of two, two and three. Fewer handovers, but the days shift too.
- 2-2-3 with a fixed handover at school, so some handovers happen without meeting.
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
What is the difference between 2-2-3 and 2-2-5-5?
With 2-2-5-5 each parent has fixed weekdays and there are four handovers per two weeks. With 2-2-3 the days shift every week and there are six handovers. 2-2-3 gives shorter periods, 2-2-5-5 more fixed days.
What age is the 2-2-3 schedule for?
It is mostly chosen for young children, because they never miss either parent for more than three days. There is no fixed age limit. As children get older, a calmer schedule often fits better.
How do you keep track of so many handovers?
With a shared calendar where both parents see the same thing. In Harmoneaz you colour in the schedule once; the app marks every handover day and prepares the packing list for that day.
Other schedules
- Week on week off: A full week with one parent, then a full week with the other. One handover a week.
- 2-2-5-5 (5-2-2-5): Each parent has two fixed weekdays; weekends alternate. An equal split, four handovers per two weeks.
- 70/30: The children mainly live with one parent; the other parent has every other weekend and a weekday.
- 60/40: Nearly equal: the other parent has every other weekend and a fixed weekday every week.
- Every other weekend (80/20): The children live with one parent and spend every other weekend with the other. Two handovers per two weeks.
Compare all co-parenting schedules
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.
