By Elle Barr | Our Family Wizard, AAML NJ Bronze Sponsor
Co-parenting works differently for different families. It’s important to select a parenting schedule that aligns with your children’s needs to ease the transition for them and for you. Read more to see if the popular 2-2-3 custody schedule will work for your family.
What Is a 2-2-3 Custody Schedule?
A 2-2-3 custody schedule is a co-parenting schedule where each parent has equal time with their child. Parents split alternating sets of days over a two week period. The 2-2-3 schedule offers kids frequent time with both parents but could present logistical challenges.
2-2-3 is a common schedule rotation used by parents with joint physical custody, an agreement in which a child spends a lot of time with each parent. The 2-2-3 schedule, however, is an option that works specifically for co-parents who share time with their children on an equal, 50/50 basis.
You’ll often see the 2-2-3 schedule rotation referred to as a “custody schedule” or a “parenting schedule.”
50/50 parenting time rotations, like 2-2-3, work for some families and not for others. But a 2019 review published in the Journal of Family Sciences found that 50/50 arrangements could lead to positive outcomes for children. Still, they advised that blanket recommendations are inappropriate because every family’s situation differs.
Before selecting a routine, you should consider your children’s schedule, your relationship with your co-parent, and your child’s age. The 2-2-3 schedule can be logistically complicated, but a digital co-parenting calendar can automatically schedule the rotation to help keep you on track.
Michelle Dempsey-Multack, Certified Divorce and Co-Parenting Specialist summarizes the schedule nicely: “Although a 2-2-3 schedule doesn’t make sense for all families, it is a great option for co-parents whose work schedules allow for it, who have the ability to share in the parenting responsibilities equally, and who live near the other parent.”
“This schedule is especially helpful for children under the age of 4, who are adjusting to co-parenting and may have a harder time separating from one or both parents,” says Dempsey-Multack.
Key Takeaways
- The 2-2-3 schedule is a 50/50 schedule that gives you and your co-parent equal time with your children.
- The 2-2-3 schedule requires frequent exchanges and won’t work well if you live far from your co-parent.
- Some kids thrive under a 2-2-3 schedule because they can see both parents regularly.
- Other kids find the constant travel disorienting and stressful.
- Parents use automated co-parenting calendars to best manage the 2-2-3 schedule.
Read the full blog post HERE.
