Alternating Weeks (Week On / Week Off)
Alternating weeks — often called week on / week off — is the simplest 50/50 schedule there is: children spend a full week with each parent, exchanging once a week, usually around the weekend.
How alternating weeks works
The children live with Parent 1 for seven days, then Parent 2 for seven days, repeating. Each parent gets 14 overnights per 28-night cycle — exactly 50/50 — with just one exchange per week, the fewest of any equal-time schedule.
The trade-off is the seven-day separation from each parent. Many families soften it with a mid-week dinner visit or scheduled video calls, and courts commonly write those into the order.
Who week on / week off works best for
- Older children and teens who manage week-long stretches comfortably and prefer fewer moves.
- Parents who live farther apart (still within school range) — one exchange a week keeps driving manageable.
- High-conflict situations where minimizing contact points between parents helps keep the peace.
Common Questions
What ages suit alternating weeks?
It's generally recommended for school-age children — commonly six and up — because a week away from each parent is a long time for toddlers. For younger children, schedules with shorter gaps like the 2-2-3 are usually preferred.
What day should the exchange happen?
Friday after school and Sunday evening are the most common. A school-day exchange (drop off at school, other parent picks up) avoids a face-to-face handoff entirely.
Does week on / week off affect child support in California?
Parenting timeshare is one input in California's guideline child support formula, and 50/50 schedules produce a different result than unequal ones. The exact calculation depends on both parents' incomes — the court or a family law attorney can run the guideline numbers.
More custody schedules
Compare this arrangement with the other common California parenting schedules, or open the full custody schedule calculator:
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