70/30 Custody Schedule
The children spend about 70% of overnights with one parent and 30% with the other — more than every-other-weekend, but still centred on one primary home.
70% / 30%
overnights split
2
exchanges / cycle
10
day cycle
How the 70/30 schedule works
A common 70/30 pattern gives the secondary parent roughly every weekend, or alternating long weekends plus a weeknight. Across the cycle the children spend about 70% of nights in the primary home.
Advantages
- Clear primary base with strong, regular secondary-parent time
- More contact than every-other-weekend
- Predictable and stable for school
- Practical across distance or differing work schedules
Things to consider
- Noticeably unequal time
- Secondary parent misses more weekday routines
- Needs a generous holiday plan to feel balanced
By age
Common when one parent is the practical weekday base but the other stays closely involved every week.
School considerations
Very stable — weekdays anchor in one home; share school info so both parents stay informed.
Holidays
Prioritise a strong holiday, school-break and summer plan to balance the weekday split.
Compare with other schedules
Frequently asked questions
How many overnights is 70/30?
About 256 nights a year with the primary parent and 109 with the other — roughly two nights a week or every weekend.
When is 70/30 a good fit?
When one home is clearly the practical weekday base but both parents want the children with the other parent every week.
Related schedules
Put this schedule to work — free.
Save it to a shared calendar, track expenses, and invite your co-parent so you're both in sync.