When dealing with divorce cases, most judges in California prefer to give parents joint custody of their children. Ideally, this gives both parents an equal amount of time with their child so they can raise their child as they see fit. Some parents opt for an alternating schedule where each parent gets the child for an entire week. But is this the best option for your child’s well-being?
What are the downsides of an alternating week schedule?
At first glance, an alternating week sounds like a fair and convenient child custody arrangement. Instead of driving the child back and forth multiple times a week, each parent has an entire week to spend with their child. However, this also means that the child won’t see their other parent for an entire week at a time. They might feel depressed or even experience separation anxiety, especially if they’re more attached to one parent than the other.
To resolve this issue, some parents choose to alternate days instead of weeks. They might have their child for three days, hand off their child to their spouse for three days and so on. This allows their child to see both parents during the week instead of seeing only one parent for an extended period of time. It can also help parents more easily manage work commitments and other life events, since they don’t have their child for a week at a time.
Which option is best for you?
If you’re not sure which custody option is best for your situation, consider speaking with an attorney. They could assess the situation and help you write a co-parenting plan that’s best for your child. If you’re dealing with a difficult former spouse, they could also help you protect yourself and your interests during this time.
