5 Reasons Why a 5-2-2-5 Parenting Time ScheduleThis is an agreed upon schedule of the dates and times that each parent will spend with the children. Holidays, weekends, when and where exchanges will happen.Read more about Parenting Time Schedule May Be Right For You
Deciding what parenting time schedule is best for you and your children may feel daunting. Parents have a variety of options and may struggle to know which schedule will work best for their family. The 5-2-2-5 is the most common equal (50/50) Parenting Time ScheduleThis is an agreed upon schedule of the dates and times that each parent will spend with the children. Holidays, weekends, when and where exchanges will happen.Read more about Parenting Time Schedule.
What is the 5-2-2-5 Parenting Time Schedule?
This schedule involves one parent having Monday and Tuesday every week, the other parent having Wednesday and Thursday every week, and the parents alternating having Parenting TimeThis is what it sounds like—this is when it’s the parent’s time with the child(ren). See A.R.S § 25-401(5). Prior to 2012, it was known as physical custody.Read more about Parenting Time on the weekends.
Reason #1 – Promotes Quality Time with Both Parents
When parents separate, one of the most difficult aspects for children is understanding how long they get to see each parent. The 5-2-2-5 parenting time schedule is designed to provide children with significant quality time with each parent. Through this schedule, the children will never go more than five days without seeing each of their parents. This can improve both the children and parent’s emotional well-being because they are always less than a week away from being able to see each other; this is especially important for younger children where it is harder to be apart from either parent for too long.
Reason #2 – Creates Consistency
A 5-2-2-5 schedule helps children and parents develop a consistent routine to limit confusion and unnecessary back and forth. Unlike a 3-2-2-3 schedule where the parties alternate all parenting days each week, a 5-2-2-5 schedule delineates clear weekdays to each parent. Parents can plan well in advance for Extracurricular ActivitiesThese are activities the child may participate in, such as Little League baseball, dance classes, piano lessons, soccer, science day camps, etc. They are relevant to a family law proceeding as they relate to reimbursement for those activities. Generally, both parties are…Read more about Extracurricular Activities, items the children will need at both homes, and whose parenting day it is when calendar obligations arise with school. The routine this schedule provides can be positive on children’s development and personal responsibility as they are able to follow a set schedule and prepare for their upcoming days at each parent’s residence.
Reason #3 – Both Parents Are Valued
Unlike schedules where one PartyAn individual, entity, or the state that either brings the lawsuit or is required to respond to the lawsuit. See ARFLP Rule 3(f).Read more about Party is the Primary Residential ParentIn cases where one parent is given more parenting time than the other, they are designated as the primary residential parent.Read more about Primary Residential Parent, an equal 5-2-2-5 schedule allows for both parents to be in their children’s lives equally and to continue building a strong bond with each. Neither parent is viewed as the ‘weekend parent’ and both parents play the same role in ensuring the minor children’s needs are met, which children recognize and appreciate.
Further, Arizona differs from some other states in that there is no gender preference given to the mother. Arizona values a father’s role in their children’s lives the same as they value the mother’s. An equal parenting time schedule accentuates the important role both parents play in their children’s development without the children feeling one parent is more important than the other due to having more parenting time. Indeed, studies have shown children tend to do better in equal Parenting TimeThis is what it sounds like—this is when it’s the parent’s time with the child(ren). See A.R.S § 25-401(5). Prior to 2012, it was known as physical custody.Read more about Parenting Time situations, emotionally, physically, and behaviorally.
Reason #4 – Creates a Balance of Weekday/Weekend Parenting Time
A 5-2-2-5 schedule ensures both parents are involved in the children’s education and have extended weekend time. It is important for both parents to have a role in ensuring the children are progressing in their educational endeavors while also being able to build memories with fun activities and trips on the weekend. This schedule provides a balance to ensure one parent is not seen as the strict parent since they have the children on weekdays while the other is the fun weekend parent.
Reason #5 – Convenient for Parents
Another reason a 5-2-2-5 parenting schedule may be the best option for parents over a week-on / week-off is because it makes parenting ExchangesThis is the procedure for how children are transferred from one parent’s care to the other when custody is shared. An exchange procedure must be included in any Parenting Plan.Read more about Exchanges predictable and convenient. Parenting exchanges can be high sources of stress for both children and parents. But knowing the schedule well in advance, can alleviate many of the stressors. It makes Co-parentingThe joint effort of separated parents to raise their child(ren) cooperatively. Ideally, parents who do not live together will work together and communicate with each other regarding what is best for their child(ren). Statistically speaking, the children of parents who do so are…Read more about Co-parenting easier because it removes any ambiguity.
Choose the Right Plan for You and Your Children
Child Psychologists have long established that children do better (in nearly every way) when both parents are involved and working together. The 5-2-2-5 Parenting Time schedule works the best for many families. But it is not the best for everyone. We encourage you to explore your Parenting PlanThis is the Court order that contains the legal decision-making and parenting time orders. It sets forth the parenting time schedule and includes the other custody orders.Read more about Parenting Plan options and create the best parenting plan for you and your children.
