Parenting Plans by Age & Schedule Templates

When parents split up in Virginia, one of the most important issues that they face is determining child custody. Creating a parenting schedule can be incredibly difficult, especially when both parents want to spend as much time as possible with their kids. So how do you create a parenting plan that works for your family?

Parenting schedules can vary significantly based on your child’s age, their developmental needs, and their school and childcare schedules. Each parent’s availability will also factor into the equation. Our Virginia family law attorneys have put together some parenting plan schedule templates that can help to guide you as you work through custody issues with your soon-to-be ex.

Poole Brooke Plumlee is dedicated to providing the highest quality legal representation to individuals dealing with divorce, child custody, child support, and other family law matters in Virginia. While we are skilled litigators, we also know that going to court on a custody matter isn’t always the best option. We will work with you to get a favorable result while minimizing your stress and costs as much as possible. Contact our law offices today to schedule a consultation with a Virginia Beach child custody lawyer.

How Virginia Courts Determine Parenting Schedules

In Virginia, all decisions related to child custody are based on the best interests of the child. When making decisions about parenting time, a judge will consider multiple factors, including:

• The child’s age and physical and mental condition
• Each parent’s physical and mental condition
• The existing relationship between the child and each parent
• The child’s needs, including their educational and emotional needs
• The role each parent has played and will play in the child’s life
• Each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent

Significantly, Virginia courts do not give preference to women or mothers. In fact, Virginia law prohibits a presumption in favor of either parent. Instead, all parenting time decisions are based on what is best for the child.

There is no one-size-fits-all parenting schedule in Virginia, such as giving one parent primary custody while the other has the kids every other weekend. Instead, courts recognize the value of both parents being actively involved in their child’s life. Our Virginia child custody attorneys can help you understand how courts make child custody decisions so that you can make the best choice about how to move forward with your case.

Sample Virginia Parenting Schedules Based on Age

Virginia courts recognize that a child’s developmental stage plays a critical role in determining what type of parenting schedule is best for them. As any parent can tell you, a child’s needs change significantly over the years. A toddler often wants nothing more than to spend all of their time with their parents, while a teen typically wants to spend most of their time with friends instead of their parents.

The parenting schedule templates below offer a guide for a potential plan for your custody case. However, every situation is unique. Working with a Virginia custody lawyer can allow you to create a custom parenting schedule that fits the unique needs of your child and family.

Parenting Schedules for Infants (0 to 18 months)

For babies, consistency, routine, and frequent contact with parents are critical. Long separations from either parent can be difficult during the first 18 months of a child’s life. To support an infant’s needs, a parenting schedule should include frequent, shorter visits, a consistent routine, and minimal overnight separation at first.

During this developmental stage, two possible parenting schedules are as follows:

1. Frequent Short Visits
   • Parent A has primary physical custody
   • Parent B has 3 to 4 visits per week for 2 to 3 hours at a time
   • Parent B has one overnight visit per week (if appropriate)
2. Graduated Schedule
   • During months 0 to 6, the noncustodial parent should have multiple daytime visits each week.
   • During months 6 to 12, the noncustodial parent should have one overnight visit per week.
   • During months 12 to 18, the number of overnight visits should be increased to two per week.

A graduated plan can help an infant develop secure attachments to both parents while adjusting gradually to overnight visits. 

Parenting Schedules for Toddlers (18 months to 3 years)

Toddlers benefit from routine, but have a greater ability to adapt compared to infants. Scheduling goals at this age include predictability and clear transition routines. Ideally, the maximum separation from either parent should be 2 to 3 days.

Sample toddler parenting schedules may be:

1. A 2-2-3 Schedule
   • Parent A has custody from Monday to Tuesday
   • Parent B has the child from Wednesday to Thursday
   • The parents alternate weekends (Friday to Sunday)
2. A 3-4-4-3 Schedule
   • Parent A has custody from Monday to Wednesday
   • Parent B has custody from Thursday through Sunday.
   • The parents switch the schedule the following week.

These parenting schedules work well with parents who live close to each other.

Parenting Schedules for Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Preschool-aged children have a better understanding of time and can handle regular overnight stays. Stability is still important at this age, so a focus of parenting plans should be consistency in school or daycare attendance. A schedule should also have balanced time between parents.

A sample preschool parenting schedule might look like:

1. Alternating Weekends and Midweek Visit
   • Parent A has primary custody
   • Parent B has every other weekend (Friday through Monday morning)
   • Parent B has one midweek overnight visit.
2. A 2-2-5-5 Schedule
   • Parent A has custody from Monday to Tuesday
   • Parent B has custody from Wednesday to Thursday
   • Parent A has custody Friday through Sunday (week 1)
   • Parent B has custody Friday through Sunday (week 2)

These schedules are designed to maintain consistency for the child.

Parenting Schedules for Elementary School Children ( 6 to 12 years)

School-aged children do well with structure. While they can handle longer periods of time with each parent, they still need reliable routines for school and extracurricular activities. The goals for parenting plans during this phase should be fewer disruptions during the school week, academic stability, and clear responsibility for activities.

A few possible schedules for elementary-aged kids include:

1. Week-On/Week-Off
   • Parent A has one full week of custody.
   • Parent B gets custody for the next full week.
2. A 2-2-5-5 Schedule
   • Just as with the preschool schedule, the child spends consistent weekdays with each parent to simplify school logistics.
3. Primary Custody with Extended Weekends
   • Parent A has primary custody.
   • Parent B has every other weekend, plus a midweek dinner or overnight visit.

Each of these schedules is designed to maintain consistency during the week, with more variation on the weekends.

Parenting Schedules for Teens (13 to 18 years)

Parenting schedules for teens are a bit different, as teenagers often have busy social lives and seek more independence from their parents. If a custody case goes to court, a judge is more likely to give weight to the teen’s preferences. Scheduling goals during these years should focus on flexibility, respect for a teen’s commitments, and open communication.

Sample teen parenting plan schedules may include:

1. Alternating Weeks
   • A week-on, week-off schedule works well if a teen is comfortable moving between homes.
2. Flexible Primary Custody
   • A teen primarily lives with one parent.
   • The child spends extended weekends and flexible time with the other parent.
   • There can be adjustments to the schedule for extracurricular activities, jobs, and social events.

At this age, strictly adhering to parenting schedules may be less practical than trying to work together. 

Parenting schedules should also take into account holidays and vacations. Clearly defining holidays and vacations can help to reduce disputes and allow for consistency.

Of course, each family’s situation is different. These schedules can be a starting point, but aren’t necessarily the best option for everyone (particularly if parents don’t live close to each other). Our law firm can help you work out a custody schedule that makes sense for your family.

Reach Out to Talk to a Seasoned Virginia Child Custody Attorney

Parenting schedules can and should be based on a child’s age and needs. They can also evolve as children grow, as what works for a toddler might not be best for a teen. If you are negotiating custody, going to court, or want to modify an existing parenting plan, our Virginia custody lawyers can help.

Poole, Brooke, Plumlee works with families throughout the Virginia Beach region as they navigate child custody issues.  We take a proactive, strategic approach to family law matters, helping our clients achieve solutions that work for them.  To learn more or to schedule a consultation with a Virginia child custody attorney, give our law offices a call at 757-499-1841 or fill out our online contact form.