The Every-Other-Weekend Custody Schedule

about 79/21 split2-week rotationYour time: 79%
An every-other-weekend custody schedule gives one parent the majority of the time and the other parent the child on alternating weekends, typically Friday evening through Sunday evening. It is one of the most common arrangements when one parent is the primary residential parent, and it often adds a midweek dinner visit for the other parent.

What this schedule looks like

Week 1
MonYou
TueYou
WedYou
ThuYou
FriCo-parent
SatCo-parent
SunCo-parent
Week 2
MonYou
TueYou
WedYou
ThuYou
FriYou
SatYou
SunYou
Your parenting timeCo-parent's time

Example layout starting on a Monday. Your time is shown in terracotta. Which parent is “you” and the exact start day depend on your own agreement or court order.

How the rotation works

The child lives primarily with one parent. The other parent has them every other weekend, usually from Friday after school to Sunday evening. Many orders add a weeknight dinner (and longer holiday and summer blocks) so the non-residential parent gets regular midweek contact. Across two weeks this works out to roughly 79/21, though midweek visits shift the exact split.

Who it works best for

  • Families with a clear primary residential parent
  • Parents who live far apart or travel for work
  • Situations where 50/50 is not practical

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Simple, predictable weekends
  • Stability of one primary home
  • Easy to combine with a midweek dinner

Trade-offs

  • Far from an equal split
  • Less weekday parenting for one parent
  • Can feel like limited time to the every-other-weekend parent

Track a Every-Other-Weekend automatically

Custody Hero fills your calendar from this pattern, then logs every late pickup, missed day, and makeup day owed, so you always have a clear record. Start a 3-day free trial.

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Frequently asked questions

How much time is every other weekend?

On its own it is roughly 20 percent of overnights, about a 79/21 split, before holiday and summer time. Adding a weeknight dinner or overnight increases the non-residential parent's share.

What is a standard possession order?

It is a common court-default version of an every-other-weekend schedule, often with a Thursday dinner and expanded summer and holiday time. The exact terms vary by state and by your specific court order.

Other custody schedules

2-2-3 Custody Schedule
50/50 · 2-week rotation
Week-On Week-Off Custody Schedule
50/50 · 2-week rotation
2-2-5-5 Custody Schedule
50/50 · 2-week rotation
3-4-4-3 Custody Schedule
50/50 · 2-week rotation
Every Other Weekend Plus a Weeknight
about 64/36 · 2-week rotation

This guide is general information about parenting-time schedules, not legal advice. Custody Hero is not a law firm. Your schedule, terminology, and rights depend on your own agreement and court order and on the laws of your state — consult a licensed family-law attorney about your situation.