What Is A 2-2-5-5 Parenting Plan?

What Is A 2-2-5-5 Parenting Plan? A 2-2-5-5 parenting plan is a shared parenting rotation that splits parenting time 50/50.  Parents divide their time into 2-day and 5-day chunks.

Many professionals prefer this schedule because parents stick to the same days of the week, which makes it easier to keep track of.

One of the most common types of schedule rotation you’ll see is the 2-5-5-2 plan, also known as a custody schedule or parenting schedule.

What is Joint Physical Custody?

A joint physical custody arrangement involves both parents having physical custody of their children.

Children rotate their time with each parent, often on a schedule. Co-parents take into account factors such as work schedules, children's schedules, children's ages, and the distance between housing when deciding on a parenting plan.

What is 50/50 Custody?

If you’re looking for shared custody, 50/50 is a great option.

This schedule has become increasingly popular because many co-parents feel it’s fair and allows children to spend as much time with each parent as possible.

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However, it’s important to note that this isn’t always the best option for every family.

For example, if you’re splitting time down the middle, you may not be able to handle the logistical challenges that come with frequent exchanges or the emotional burden that comes with long periods apart.

Instead of having one house as the “dominant” residence, you’ll need to choose a schedule that works for you.

Even when co-parents agree to share parenting time, they still have a lot to consider. While co-parents would like to have a schedule that allows them to spend equal time with both parents, additional schedules need to be considered.

For instance, there may be an easier way to divide up the weekly parenting time, especially if their work schedule or children's needs dictate otherwise.”

The 2-2-5-5 parenting plan offers many benefits for both parents who decide that a shared plan will work best for their kids.

This rotation ensures that co-parents have the same number of days per week and limits the amount of time they spend apart.

Making Your Custody Plan

There are no “right” or “wrong” parenting plans. As long as the children’s well-being is paramount, there’s no such thing as the right custody plan.

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What is the right custody plan?

A good custody plan is one where both parents feel secure and at ease with the agreement.

Some parents prefer to have physical custody of their children and allow the other parent to schedule visitation.

Others, however, want their children to see both parents regularly.

When it comes to shared parenting, your divorce attorney may recommend several different custody schedules.

For example, you may have heard about children spending one week with their mother during the school year and one week with their father during summer vacations.

Another common arrangement is a one-week mom, one-week dad arrangement.

But what happens when both parents want their children to be as involved as possible?

How 2-2-5-5 Parenting Plan Works (in Examples)

For this 50/50 custody plan to be effective, both parents must be living in the same geographical area.

If the children attend school, then both parents must be residing in the same school district.

Additionally, both parents will need to be willing to participate in both day-to-day and weekend activities.

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Parent A

Parents A and B have flexible work schedules and live 20 minutes away from their two toddlers' daycare. Parents A's and B's custody schedules are as follows:

Monday – Pick up the children from the ex’s home at 8 in the morning to drive them to daycare.

Ensure they have everything they need for a couple of days at home. I pick them up from daycare and drive them home.

Tuesday – I have the day off on Tuesdays and spend the whole day with the children. My ex picks them up from my home in the morning. I know that next week I’ll be getting 5 days per week from Friday to Tuesday.

Wednesday– Not Applicable

Thursday – Not Applicable

Friday – Not Applicable

Saturday – Not Applicable

Sunday – Not Applicable

Parent B

Parent B has no flexible work hours and works Monday through Friday. They live 10 minutes from daycare.

Parent B's custody plan for the same week is as follows:

Monday – Start getting the toddlers up and help them get ready for the day before my ex comes to pick them up from daycare. I confirmed with my ex that I am going to be with them from Wednesday to Sunday this week.

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Tuesday – Not Applicable

Wednesday– I collect kids from my ex's house to drop them off for daycare. I always pick them up and drop them off at daycare every Wednesday and Thursday. The kids come home from daycare and stay with me.

Thursday – Driving your child to daycare, dropping them off, and staying after to speak with their teacher.

Friday – Dinner with the kids at my mum’s after school. After school with the kids

Saturday – I am going to the zoo with the kids this weekend.

Sunday – Today we tidy up and get ready for next week. I have the kids looking forward to spending 5 days with parent A. I tell them we will be together again on Wednesday.

Pros of the 2-2-5-5 Parenting Plan

Assuming you can agree to this, there are many benefits to this parenting schedule.

The children will see both parents every week. Frequent custody exchanges make it easier for children to feel like they are part of both parents' lives.

This can alleviate a child's anxiety about being abandoned during a divorce. Both parents will be fully involved in their child's progress at school.

This custody schedule is great for parents who wish to be present for all the small moments.

In the 2-2-5-5 parenting plan, both parents will participate in the weekday routine at least two days per week. However, they will not miss out on the weekends.

Let’s face it, there are some challenges to this custody schedule.

Pros

Kids get the same amount of time with both parents, whether it’s on the weekdays or the weekends. On the weekdays, homework, feeding, and bedtime are usually the order of the day. The weekends are the “fun” time. Kids get the “strict” part of both parents.

Cons 

Some kids just don’t tolerate being shuffled around during the week. If your kid is less likely to tolerate shuffling, a better strategy would be to spread them out over 2.2-2-5 instead of 2.2-3 because, at the very least, they’ll have the stability of Monday and Tuesday with the same parent.

Week On, Week Off

This means that the children will spend a week with Parent A and a week with Parent B.

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Pros

This plan has fewer changes, so it may be suitable for older children. It is also a better option for those parents who live far apart.

This plan is also better for those parents who have conflicts, as there are fewer exchanges.

Cons

7 days a week without one parent might not be enough for the younger ones. 7 days a week on, 7 days a week off might interfere with activities like piano, where only one parent owns a piano. If piano lessons are held every week, a week without a piano will mean a week without a lesson.

FAQs Related To 2-2-5-5 Parenting Plan

What is the 5 and 2 schedule?

The residential schedule for your child under the 5-2 program is 5 days per week with one parent, and 2 days per week with the other.

What is the most common 50 50 parenting schedule?

It looks like 2-2-3, 3-4-4-3, 2-2-5-5, and alternating weeks.

How do you split parenting?

·       Try to be adaptable.

·       Accepting different ways of parenting.

·       Encouraging your child to connect with their other parent.

·       Keeping your child’s other parent informed.

·       Organizing tasks, activities, and events.

·       Give your other parent time to get acclimated.

What are examples of co-parenting?

Ensuring that the children have the same routine at each home. This includes things like homework, meals, and bedtime.

Communicating and scheduling with each other to create consistent schedules for pick-up, drop-off, vacation, etc.

What does a 2-2-3 schedule mean?

A 28-day rotating cycle where each employee works 12-hour shifts per day.

What is a 2 3 3 2 schedule?

The schedule consists of two days on, two days off, three days on two days off, two days on, and three days off over 14 days.

What is the best parenting schedule?

2-2-3 Routines

What is the best 60-40 parenting schedule?

A 4-3 parenting rotation is the most common and straightforward way for a co-parent to establish a 60-40 parenting plan.

What makes good co-parenting?

Not only are both parents involved in their child’s day-to-day care, education, and development, but they also communicate with each other regularly and in a respectful manner.

What is successful co-parenting?

Your own feelings of anger, frustration, or pain must be secondary to your children’s needs.

Does co-parenting affect children?

It helps reduce stress and anxiety in children.

How does having split parents affect a child?

Divorced/separated children are also more prone to risky sexual behavior, poverty, and family instability.

How do you break up without affecting your kids?

Tell your child that it’s not their fault that they broke up with their dad or mom and that both of their parents love them unconditionally.

Why is co-parenting so hard?

Many of the biggest problems that co-parents face at the start of a new chapter in their lives after a divorce are the result of unresolved feelings and bad communication. After all, divorce brings out the very worst in most couples.

What is co-parenting vs. parenting?

Co-parenting involves both parents making decisions together and working together for the good of their children.

What is parallel parenting?

Parallel parenting involves both parents taking a break from each other to reduce conflict and make decisions on their own.

What is the opposite of co-parenting?

The opposite of co-parenting is Counter-parenting! Counter-parenting is different from co-parenting in that one parent is actively working against the other parent.

Unlike co-parenting, which is about setting aside disagreements and working together to be a better parent, counter-parenting is about actively working against each other.

A Word From GetMe Treated

Divorce can be a messy and emotional process, but it doesn't have to be.

Pick the parenting plan that works best for your family, and be prepared to deal with the fallout.

For some divorced families, the 2-2-5-5 parenting plan is a great option for shared custody.

It works best when the children are young and the parents live near each other. You may need to adjust the plan to make it more like the 5-2:2-5 plan.

Or, think of it this way: each parent always gets the same amount of time on each of the two weekdays, plus the same amount on the weekends.

If your children need a lot of stability, a 2-2-5-5 parenting plan might not be right for you. Older children tend to be more upset when they have to pack up and move frequently.