Met with a family this week who have a 2-2-5-5 residential schedule. They have a six and nearly eight year old. They were wondering if moving to week-on and week-off residential schedule for the summer would be “OK” for their little guy. Here are the considerations:
- the children have lived in a two-home family for three years and adjustment is solid
- although six is often considered to be on the developmental “cusp” in terms of readiness for a week-on and week-off schedule, this little guy, as a second child, is a bit more mature than some of his age-mates
- parents were more than willing to move back into a 2-2-5-5 schedule during the summer if they see signs of regression, and
- all parents were supportive of Face-Time mid-week for the children with the non-residential parents.
Because the week-on and week-off residential schedule accommodates camps and family vacation more easily, parents often consider this an alternative for the ten weeks of summer. Since parents are working well together and know the signs of stress-induced regression, all parents agreed to give the week-on and week-off schedule a go once summer arrives!