Understanding the Every Weekend Custody Schedule
The Every Weekend schedule allows one parent to have the child during the school week, while the other parent has the child every single weekend. While less common than alternating schedules, it provides a very specific solution for parents with conflicting work schedules or vastly different availability.
1. Overview
The Every Weekend schedule is a fixed 70/30 (or 60/40) parenting plan.
- Parent A (Custodial Parent): Has the child Monday through Friday morning.
- Parent B (Non-Custodial Parent): Has the child Friday afternoon through Sunday evening (or Monday morning).
Unlike the "Every Other Weekend" plan, Parent B gets every weekend. This significantly increases their parenting time, bringing it much closer to a shared custody arrangement than a standard visitation schedule.
This schedule is highly routine-oriented. Parent A manages all school-related tasks, while Parent B manages all leisure and weekend activities.
2. How the Schedule Works
The rotation is simple because it never changes.
- Monday - Friday: Child is with Parent A. They handle school drop-offs, homework, doctor's appointments, and weeknight dinners.
- Friday - Sunday: Child is with Parent B. They handle sports games, birthday parties, church, and relaxation.
Because weekends are consecutive, Parent B sees the child 4-8 days a month more than they would on a standard alternating schedule.
3. Visual Example
The calendar looks the same every week. Weekdays are Blue (Parent A), weekends are Green (Parent B).
School
Weekend
School
Weekend
4. Weekly Rotation Breakdown
This schedule creates two very distinct parenting roles.
- The "School" Parent: Parent A provides the structure. Their time is focused on education, hygiene, and daily discipline.
- The "Fun" Parent: Parent B provides the recreation. Their time is focused on bonding through activities.
While this clarity can be helpful for children who need routine, parents must work hard to ensure Parent A doesn't become the "mean parent" and Parent B doesn't become the "Disneyland parent."
5. Advantages
Solves Work Conflicts
If Parent A works weekends (e.g., nurse, retail) and Parent B works weekdays (e.g., office job), this schedule perfectly covers childcare needs without paying for babysitters.
Highly Predictable
The child never has to ask "Whose house am I at this weekend?" because the answer is always the same. This stability is comforting for anxious children.
School Stability
The child sleeps in the same bed every single school night. There are no forgotten backpacks or missing permission slips because the "school base" never changes.
Maximized Free Time
Parent B gets to spend quality, unstructured time with the child every week, rather than squeezing visits into a busy weeknight dinner.
6. Disadvantages
Zero Downtime
Parent A never gets a break from the morning rush. Parent B never gets a relaxing weekend alone. This lack of personal time leads to high burnout rates for both parents.
No Shared Activities
Parent A can never take the child to a Saturday morning soccer game. Parent B can never attend a Wednesday afternoon school play. Both parents miss out on huge chunks of the child's life.
Relationship Strain
Parent A often resents being the "homework police," while Parent B may feel disconnected from the child's academic and social development.
Hard to Sustain
Doing this for years is exhausting. Most families eventually transition to an alternating weekend schedule just so the parents can have a break.
7. Best Situations for This Schedule
The Every Weekend schedule is usually a temporary or specific-use plan for:
- Specific Career Needs: When one parent is unavailable weekdays and the other is unavailable weekends.
- Short-Term Transitions: While a parent is moving closer or setting up a home, this provides stability.
- Academic Recovery: If a child is struggling in school, keeping them at one house all week can help improve grades.
8. When It May Not Work Well
- Long-Term Arrangements: Without breaks, resentment usually builds up within 12-18 months.
- Teens with Social Lives: Teenagers rarely want to leave their "school friends" every single Friday to go to a different house for the weekend.
9. Common Questions Parents Ask
Can we give Parent A one weekend a month?
Yes. A common modification is "Parent B gets 3 weekends, Parent A gets 1 weekend." This gives Parent A a break and allows Parent B to have a free weekend occasionally.
Does this affect child support?
Yes. Since Parent A has significantly more overnights (approx. 20 per month vs. 10), child support payments to Parent A are typically higher than in a 50/50 arrangement.
What about Monday holidays?
If a holiday falls on a Monday (like Labor Day), Parent B usually keeps the child for that extra day, extending their weekend. This is a nice bonus for the non-custodial parent.
The content provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, professional diagnosis, or a binding parenting agreement. Custody laws vary significantly by state and country. Before finalizing any parenting plan, you should consult with a qualified family law attorney or a court-certified mediator to ensure your schedule complies with local regulations and serves the best interests of your child.