Mississippi parents who are getting a divorce and who plan to share physical custody need to work out a schedule that works for them and their children. There are several different approaches they can take.
Weekly schedule
A weekly schedule for custody is a common arrangement, and it may work well for older children. However, for younger children, it may not be the best approach because a week-long separation from the other parent may seem like a very long time.
Alternating days
A schedule that only takes young children away from one parent or the other for a couple of days at a time may work better. For example, for a 2-2-3 schedule, if you had the child for two days at the beginning of the week, you would then send the child to the other parent for two days, and you’d have the child back for three days. The following week you would switch, and you’d only have the child for the middle two days. A 3-4-4-3 schedule would allow you to have the child for three days one week and four days the following week.
Unconventional approaches
Some parents actually take turns living in the marital home, where the children stay full time. This can help children adjust to the change but is usually not sustainable over the long term.
It may be helpful for parents to think of child custody scheduling as a work in progress. For example, as their children get older and they have additional activities or responsibilities, changes may need to be made to the custody schedule as well. Parents should keep in mind that there is no one “right” schedule that fits everyone and should focus on what will serve the best interests of the child.
