Free checklist · Schedules
Start with
your family’s week.
Before choosing a repeating schedule, look at the days it needs to fit. These eight questions can help you compare options and prepare for a conversation with your co-parent.
Questions to work through together
Use a real week as your starting point. Write down what you know, then mark anything you still need to agree on.
- 01
What do your kids need during an ordinary week?
List school hours, sleep routines, activities, and any care arrangements that the schedule needs to accommodate. Consider each child separately.
- 02
What does travel between the homes involve?
Check the journey at the times you would actually travel. Include school pickups, traffic, and who can make each trip.
- 03
Which work commitments need to fit?
Put regular shifts, travel, and weekend work alongside the children’s calendar. Identify where either parent would need help.
- 04
What schedule or agreement is already in place?
Start with the arrangement you currently follow. Write down the parts that work and the specific changes you want to discuss.
- 05
When would handoffs happen?
Choose possible times and places, then walk through a full two-week example. Check what happens on days when school is closed.
- 06
How will you handle changes?
Agree on how to raise a request, how much notice to give when possible, and how you will confirm a revised plan.
- 07
How do weekends and holidays fit?
Look at ordinary weekends, school breaks, birthdays, and other important dates. Note where they overlap with the repeating schedule.
- 08
When will you review the arrangement?
Choose a time to check how the routine is working for the kids and both homes. Keep notes on practical problems you want to solve.
Compare a few patterns.
Put a pattern on actual dates with the free planner. Compare the overnights in each home, print a copy, and use your notes to work through the handoffs together.