What is Parenting Time?

What Is a Standard Parenting Time Schedule?

Parents who live together decide how they will care for their children. When parents live apart, they need a specific schedule to coordinate their separate lives to determine which of them will be with, and be responsible for, their child at any given time.

Many times, parents determine this schedule on their own. When parents cannot agree on a schedule, a court-ordered schedule may provide the needed structure and guidance.

Because every family's situation is different, there is no standard parenting time schedule that can meet every family's needs.

The Michigan Parenting Time Guideline was developed by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) to assist parents, judges, friends of the court, and lawyers in creating parenting time schedules. Things to consider when scheduling parenting time include:

Flexibility

Your family’s needs may change so the parenting time schedule should be flexible.
For example, parenting time schedules may have your child spending equal time with each parent, or spending more time with one parent. This can change over time, just as it does when parents live together.

Needs of the child

Age/maturity. The needs of a baby will differ from the needs of an adolescent.
A consistent, regular schedule.
School and extracurricular activities.
Special training or equipment to address a child’s health issues.

Special circumstances of the parents

Work hours.
Previous relationship with the child.
Medical needs/health issues.
Living situation.
Substance abuse.
Child abuse.

Transportation

Distance between parental homes.
Available vehicles.
Driving restrictions.