This is a simple template where the children move between homes A and B after two days, move again two days later, and move again three days later, sometimes called a "''2-2-3 schedule." '' From the point of view of the parents, they have the kids on Monday and Tuesday as well as Friday through Sunday in the first week, and on Wednesday and Thursday in the second week. This makes sure that the children are with each parent every other weekend, but requires them to transition between homes three times each week. On the other hand, the longest period of time they are away from a parent is three days. That's not bad.

This next template borrows the basic idea of the 2-2-3 schedule, except that the weekdays the children have with their parents don't change. This schedule, sometimes called a "''2-2-5-5- schedule''," makes it easier for kids to know whose home they're going to be at and reduces the number of transitions to one in one week and three in the next week. It also gives the children long stretches of five days with each parent every other week.

This last template has the children with each parent every other week, and is sometimes called a "''week on, week off schedule''." The children only transition between home A and home B once per week, and the transition day can be moved anywhere in the week. Transitioning on Mondays or Fridays after school will usually cause the least disruption from the point of view of the kids and their teachers.