Shared Parenting Information Group (SPIG) UK

- promoting responsible shared parenting after separation and divorce -

Sample residence/contact arrangements

One primary residence

Plan Start End Other
Nights in 28
Max days without contact
Comments
A - alternating weekends
alt Friday 6pm
Sunday 6pm
-
4
11
'Traditional' contact. Unsatisfactory. Places insufficient emphasis on contact. The gap can be too long for many children. Does not allow residential parent much time off duty
B - alternating weekends (extended)
alt Friday 6pm
Monday start of school
-
6
10
Larger block of time at weekends. Allows the non resident parent to take the child to school. Fewer transitions for the child. Returning child via school reduces opportunity for conflict between parents.
C - alternating weekends + weekly midweek contact
alt Friday 6pm
Sunday 6pm
every Wednesday 5-8pm
4
6
Ensures weekly contact. Midweek contact can begin from after school, but may be rushed; little time for homework; return to primary residence may be difficult
D - alternating weekends + weekly midweek overnight
alt Friday 6pm
Sunday 6pm
every Wednesday 5pm - Thursday start of school
8
5
Allows non resident parent more time for bedtime and morning rituals and to maintain involvement with homework assignments and school activities. Gives the resident parent midweek evenings free.
E - alternating weekends (extended) + weekly midweek overnight
alt Friday 6pm
Monday start of school
every Wednesday 5pm - Thursday start of school
10
5
Longer weekends

Dual residence

Day Morning Afternoon Evening Overnight
Monday
X
A
A
A
Tuesday
A
A
A
A
Wednesday
A
B
B
B
Thursday
B
B
B
B
Friday
B
X
X
X
Saturday
X
X
X
X
Sunday
X
X
X
X

X = alternating weekends with A / B

Abstracted from:
Child Custody - building parenting arrangements that work - Mimi E Lyster (1996)

David Cannon
Last updated - 24 February 1998
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