Rules for Week on /week off do you think it could work ?

[Goldenfigs]

We are separating and are thinking of the following arrangement has anyone done this would be useful to know how best to set this up so it works for everyone or am I being unrealistic?
Thanks for any advice given.

We actually do 50:50, but differently Monday and Thursday DD is with me and Tuesday and Wednesday she is with ExH. We then have half the weekends Friday through to Monday am. I have slightly more holiday time with her as ExH and OW need more me time alone on holiday.
So you are not unrealistic to think it can work. As far as rules go beyond that the children are where they should be when they should be with the right stuff there is not much else you can do. He will parent as he sees fit and you will do the same.

It could work if you're both okay with it, not sure what happens about things like Child Benefit etc. if you're on a low income it could make a difference. I was warned that if my ex had the dc's 50% of the time or more then he could claim it which also affects tax credits and the like.

We do 50/50 with my children and my partner's children (my step children)both in different ways.

My step children have a pattern/rota which means they spend a few days at each home at a time, they never go more than 5 days without seeing the other parent, maximum.

My children are here alternate weeks, so 7 days at a time not seeing the other parent.

Week on week off is heartbreaking and although children are flexible and most will get used to it I honestly regret ever agreeing to it and wish we had a different pattern for alternate weeks. Lonecatwithkitten's pattern sounds very good though!

However, if things are amicable there is nothing stopping you seeing your children for a few hours on their week with their dad and vice versa is there?

Also, what about any hobbies / sports they have during the week - are you both living close enough together to both be able to achieve those on "your" weeks or are the children old enough to sort themselves getting to football club etc?

As for benefits, well that's a possible problem.

If residency is 50/50 then either parent can claim Child Benefit and either parent can claim Tax Credits. If things aren't friendly your ex could put a claim in for both and try and take them off you. If you have two children could you agree to 50/50 residency and each claim CB and Tax Credits for one child?

A parent does not need to be in receipt of Child Benefit to claim tax credits though.

However, the parent in recepit of Child benefit, could, if they wanted, go through the CSA and claim child maintenance even with 50/50 residency.

My DH had 50/50 contact in a week on / week off contact and he did the 5:2:2:5 day routine (he had Mon and Tues, ex had Wed and Thurs and they alternated the weekends) for a while too. I think the latter worked better tbh for the reasons mumtobealloveragain has listed above - the hobbies, sports.

My dh's ex claims all the child tax credits and child benefit as well as receiving maintenance. The system is changing though - maintenance won't be payable at all in 50/50 arrangements for much longer and I understand the CB system is being overhauled too to allow for shared care arrangements.

We don't live in the UK but here a 50/50 is the standard after a separation unless there are significant problems that one parent has. It's a good way of ensuring that children grow up with both parents still doing every day activities with them. Our benefits system is different so no tax credits but I believe they split the CB 50/50. It also means that both parents are obliged to see each other more regularly and deal with day to day issues. This can be tough or positive depending on the adults involved.