How this generator works
Choose one of five common custody rotations, tell it which parent has the kids on your start date, and it lays the pattern over a real calendar. Every pattern below splits time evenly except "every other weekend," which is the common default schedule when one parent has the kids most of the time.
- Week on, week off — seven nights with each parent.
- 2-2-3 — two nights, two nights, three nights, then the three-night side swaps the following week.
- 2-2-5-5 — the same two weekdays every week, with five-night blocks alternating for the rest.
- 3-4-4-3 — three nights, four nights, four nights, three nights.
- Every other weekend — one home on weekdays, with alternating Friday–Sunday weekends at the other.
Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere — the calendar is generated in your browser. Read more about each pattern, with pros, cons, and age guidance, use the parenting-time calculator to see the percentage split, or generate a holiday schedule for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more.
FAQ
Is this a legal document?
No. This tool produces a calendar for planning and communication, not a court filing. If you need a parenting plan for a legal proceeding, ask your attorney or mediator what format the court requires.
Can I use a custom rotation that isn't listed?
These five cover the large majority of real-world arrangements. If yours is a variation (for example, 2-2-3 with a different swap day), pick the closest pattern and adjust the start date, or generate the two halves separately.
Does the .ics file work with Apple and Google Calendar?
Yes. Download it, then open it (Apple Calendar) or import it from Settings → Import (Google Calendar). It adds one event per custody block, named for the parent whose time it is.
What if our schedule changes week to week?
This generator assumes the rotation repeats indefinitely. For a calendar that also handles holidays, school closures, and one-off swaps both parents approve, Ellsby keeps all of that in one place automatically.