Care arrangements explained
When parents share care of a child, the care arrangement is the first thing to settle. How is time split between homes? Which pattern gives children the most predictability? Here is an overview of the most common models — what they involve, and what may suit different situations.
Week on, week off (7-7)
The child lives one week with each parent, switching on a fixed day — usually Monday or Friday. This is the most widely used arrangement when parents share custody equally.
The benefit is a simple structure and predictability. The child always knows which home they are heading to. The downside is that a full week can feel like a long time away from one parent, especially for younger children.
Works best for: School-age children who can manage longer stretches away from one home. Requires both homes to be reasonably close to school and activities.
The 3-4-4-3 arrangement
The child is with one parent for 3 days, the other for 4, then 4 and 3 in the following week. The pattern repeats over two weeks and gives an even 50/50 split.
This arrangement gives more frequent contact with both parents than week on/week off. The child is never away from either parent for more than 4 days in a row. The trade-off is more handovers — which can be demanding if cooperation is difficult.
Works best for: Primary school-age children who need frequent contact with both parents. Requires both parents to live close to each other.
The 2-2-5-5 arrangement
The child is with parent A on Monday and Tuesday, parent B on Wednesday and Thursday, and alternates weekends (Friday to Sunday) with each parent. The result is a 50/50 split over two weeks.
The benefit is that the child has fixed days with each parent during the week, giving a predictable weekly rhythm. The downside is that weekend residence alternates, and there are many transitions per week.
Works best for: Young children who need frequent contact with both parents but also benefit from fixed weekday routines.
Every other weekend plus one weekday
The child lives mainly with one parent and stays with the other every other weekend (usually Friday to Sunday) and one fixed weekday. The split is typically 70/30 or 60/40.
This arrangement suits situations where the child has a primary home — for example because the other parent lives far away, or because the child's daily life is closely tied to one neighbourhood or school.
Works best for: Situations where equal sharing is not practically achievable. Can work well for children of all ages, as long as the non-resident parent has meaningful contact during the week.
What works for different age groups
The child's age is an important factor when choosing an arrangement. Young children (0–3) often need shorter periods and more frequent transitions — which may mean a 2-2-5-5 or a tailored arrangement works better than week on/week off.
Preschool-age children (3–6) can usually manage 3–4 days away from one parent. From school age (6+), week on/week off works well for many families, as children have more independence and can handle longer absences.
Teenagers (12+) should have a say in the arrangement. Many young people prefer longer stretches in each home rather than frequent transitions, as it gives them more stability in their social lives.
When should the arrangement be reviewed
A care arrangement is not set in stone. A child's needs change with age, and an arrangement that worked well at four may not suit a ten-year-old.
It is worth reviewing the arrangement at least once a year — or when significant changes occur in the family's situation, such as a new school, a move, or a new sibling.
The most important thing is that the child experiences predictability, that both parents are available, and that practical details follow the child between homes.
Visualise the care split
Lina's care schedule lets you click in the days and see how time is divided week by week — with a summary of the day split, weekend patterns, and number of transitions.
Open the care schedule