Straightforward Legal Advice From An Attorney Who Understands

Parenting time schedules for those who work odd hours

On Behalf of | Jan 28, 2025 | Child Custody |

When parents work odd or non-traditional hours, creating a parenting schedule can feel like an uphill battle. Jobs that require late nights, early mornings or rotating shifts often make it difficult to adhere to relatively standard parenting time schedules. However, with careful planning and a focus on a child’s best interests, it is possible to design a parenting plan that accommodates non-traditional work hours while fostering a meaningful relationship between each parent and their child.

Parents who work odd hours, such as healthcare professionals, first responders, retail workers and those in the gig economy, often face scheduling conflicts. Common challenges that may need to be taken into consideration when crafting a bespoke parenting time schedule accordingly include:

  • Inconsistent Availability: Rotating or irregular shifts can make it difficult to plan or commit to a regular parenting time schedule
  • Limited Overlap: Working late nights or weekends may reduce the time available to spend with children, especially if a child is in school or has extracurricular activities
  • Increased Fatigue: Non-traditional work hours can leave parents exhausted, making it harder to maximize quality time with their children

Given the challenges at issue and all that is at stake, it is generally wise for families affected by the odd working hours of one or both parents to craft parenting time schedules with the aim of reasonable flexibility in mind. 

Flexible parenting time schedules

A well-thought-out parenting schedule can help to ensure that parents who work odd hours maintain strong relationships with their children. For example, when it comes to parents who work late nights or weekends, weekday parenting time may be a good option. A schedule could include overnights or evening time during the week when the parent is off work.

On the other hand, parents who work shorter shifts or have gaps in their schedule during the day can potentially benefit from splitting parenting time across a single day. For example, a parent may spend mornings with their child while the other parent handles evenings.

In cases where work shifts rotate weekly or monthly, an alternating schedule can be effective. For instance, a parenting plan could be adjusted week-to-week based on the parent’s availability.

It’s additionally worth noting that provisions for makeup time and virtual visitation can make flexible arrangements work as well as they possibly can. Seeking legal guidance can help parents to draft bespoke plans that work for their unique circumstances. 

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