When separating or divorcing parents are working out how they’re going to jointly parent their child, there are a multitude of scenarios and schedules they can choose from. In some cases, they can’t reach an agreement, and a judge has to decide.
While it’s not the most common arrangement, there are times when it’s best for the child to live full-time with one parent while the other parent has daily or near-daily parenting time (traditionally referred to as visitation) with them. This generally works out to a “90/10” time split or maybe “80/20,” depending on how long the daily visits are.
When is this arrangement typically used?
When couples split up before their baby is born or while they’re still an infant, this arrangement allows the child to be with the mother for regular feedings. It also helps with mother-child bonding.
If one parent works overnight shifts or even if their work schedule is unpredictable, this allows them to spend regular time with their child. They don’t have to worry about finding a caregiver or switching custody times if the child can’t spend the night because they have to work.
A child who has a serious disability or other condition that requires them to have medical equipment available can benefit from this arrangement. It can be too difficult and expensive to set up two homes to meet their needs. Moving between homes can also be highly upsetting to children with some types of mental health challenges.
Despite its drawbacks, it may be the best solution
This type of arrangement generally requires co-parents to interact with each other more than they may prefer to. It can also make one parent feel like a visitor in their ex’s home unless they bring the child to their home for some or all of their parenting time.
Nonetheless, this daytime visitation schedule may be the only (or at least the best) choice – at least for a time. It allows a child to remain in one home while still being able to have regular quality time with their both parents.
Whether this is an option you and your co-parent are considering or it has been ordered by a judge, it’s important to make the most of the time you have with your child. If you’re seeking greater access to your child than you’ve been given, it’s critical to have experienced legal guidance to protect your rights and your child’s best interests.