2-2-5-5 Custody and Visitation Schedule Examples

In the 2-2-5-5 residential schedule, your child lives 2 days with one parent, then 2 days with the other parent, followed by 5 days with the first parent, and 5 days with the second parent.

This is the 2-2-5-5 schedule repeated in the calendar.

Depending on how you customize your schedule and what day your schedule starts, you may end up with a 5-5-2-2 schedule, a 2-5-5-2 schedule, a 5-2-2-5 schedule, a 2-5-2-5 schedule or a 5-2-5-2 schedule. These are all variations on the same two-week repeating schedule.

2-2-5-5 example schedules

You should customize your 2-2-5-5 schedule so it is effective for your situation. Here are some examples.

Change the start day

This schedule has exchanges at 9:00 am and starts on Thursday. If you start this schedule on Saturday, it is a 2-5-5-2 schedule.

Change the exchanges

This schedule has exchange times at 7:30 am and 7:30 pm. This gives both parents weekend time.

Use 3rd-party time

This 2-2-5-5 schedule starts on Monday and shows 3rd party time (when the child isn't with either parent, like during school or day care). If you start this schedule on Wednesday it is a 2-5-5-2 schedule.

Calculate your time

As you create your schedule you can use a parenting timeshare calculator to know the percentage of time each parent has with the child. This can help you make changes to your schedule and keep the parenting time percentages where you want.

Pros and cons of a 2-2-5-5 schedule

Pros:

• Your child is able to spend time with both parents each week.
• Your child doesn't go a long time without seeing a parent.
• The schedule is consistent and fairly easy to remember.
• Parents have equal time so there may be less fighting about the schedule.
• This is a shared parenting schedule, so both parents provide daily caregiving.
• This schedule can work very well if parents have nontraditional work schedules.
• This schedule can work well for younger children who aren't in school.

Cons:

• There are frequent exchanges which the parents must remember and keep track of.
• One parent may have the child every weekend.
• Your child changes homes frequently and may struggle with adapting.
• Since your child will spend weekdays in both parents' homes, the parents must communicate about school and activities.
• The parents must live relatively close to each other.
• If the child is in school, both parents must live close to the school.

The easiest way to make a 2-2-5-5 schedule

There's a lot to think about when you build a parenting time schedule. You'll want it to address holidays and school breaks, give the right amount of time to each parent, and work for years to come.

The Custody X Change app makes it easy. Just follow the steps to make a custody schedule. In Step 2, select the "2-2-5-5" button.

To make a custody schedule quickly and affordably, turn to Custody X Change. You'll get a written schedule and a visual calendar that meet your family's needs, as well as court standards.