A 50/50 parenting schedule may sound fair – and it is – but it can also be daunting. Figuring out the schedule that will work best for you and the other parent will be key in making this work. That also means being able to talk to the other parent without anger, jealousy, bitterness, or any other destructive emotion. Here are some ways to make a 50/50 parenting schedule work for you and the other parent.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF A 50/50 PARENTING SCHEDULE?
There are many variations of a 50/50 parent schedule. Of all of them, there is bound to be one that works best for you. Here is a brief overview of these variations of the 50/50 parenting schedule.
- The alternating week schedule is one where you have the child one week and then the other parent has the child the next, and so on – this allows for some consistency and limited disruption but also isn’t too long of a period to go without seeing your child.
- The two-weeks-each schedule is one where you have the child two weeks and the other parent has the child two weeks, and so on – this schedule allows for a little more consistency and less breakup time but the time between seeing your child is also longer.
- The three-four-four-three schedule is one where you have the child for three days, four days with the other parent, four days with you again, and three days with the other parent – this is a pretty common schedule and allows both parents to engage with their child on a weekly basis.
- The two-two-five-five schedule is similar to the above 3-4-4-3 schedule but this works well when a child is in school so there are no disruptions or distractions throughout the week.
For most of these schedules, the general pick-up/drop-off time is around 3:00 pm – for fairness’ sake. But as with all things related to child custody, you can speak to the other parent about it and set a mutually beneficial time.
HOW DO YOU MAKE IT WORK?
To make it work, you must consider your lifestyle, the other parent’s lifestyle, and the emotional, physical, and social needs and wants of your child. One of these schedules may accommodate your work while also making sure your child is satisfied. The 50/50 schedule is best for parents who:
- live fairly close to each other so exchanges are not a big deal;
- communicate well with each other to accommodate for changes that are bound to happen in the schedule from time to time;
- ensure that the child is comfortable emotionally, mentally, and physically with the constant change from one home to another home; and
- can agree that they will do what’s in the best interest of the child.
Always remember that your child is in the middle. You want what’s best for your child just as the court does. Working together to get the 50/50 parenting plan to succeed is essential for your child’s health, happiness, and overall well-being. If you need help doing this, do not hesitate to contact an experienced family law lawyer in New Hampshire.