Child Support in Ontario

50/50 Parenting Time in Ontario

Key Takeaways

  • 50/50 parenting time means a child spends roughly equal time with each parent after separation.
  • Shared parenting works best when children have stable routines, consistent rules, and low conflict between parents.
  • A clear parenting plan helps prevent misunderstandings about schedules, holidays, and decision-making.
  • Child support may still apply in shared parenting, depending on each parent’s income and expenses.

50/50 Parenting Time in Ontario

What Does 50/50 Parenting Time Mean in Ontario?

When parents separate, one of the biggest questions is often: How will we share time with the kids? In Ontario, many families aim for 50/50 parenting time because it can help children maintain strong relationships with both parents.

Equal or Near-Equal Time with Each Parent

In simple terms, 50/50 parenting time means the child spends about half of their time with one parent and half with the other.

It does not have to be perfectly split down to the hour. The key idea is that parenting time is roughly equal overall. For example, one parent may have the child one extra night every two weeks, but the schedule still functions as shared parenting.

In Ontario, you may also hear this called:

  • Shared parenting
  • Equal parenting time
  • Shared custody (an older term people still use casually)

Even though people still say “custody,” Ontario family law now focuses more on parenting time and decision-making responsibility instead of using custody language.

50/50 Parenting Time vs Decision-Making Responsibility (Not the Same Thing)

A lot of separated parents think “50/50” means everything is split equally — time, decisions, and authority.

But in Ontario, there is an important difference between:

1) Parenting Time Schedule

Parenting time refers to when the child is physically with each parent.

It covers practical scheduling details like:

  • what days the child stays with each parent
  • who is responsible for drop-offs and pick-ups
  • where exchanges happen
  • what happens when a child is sick
  • who has the child during school breaks and holidays

This is the “calendar” side of parenting.

2) Decision-Making Responsibility

Decision-making responsibility refers to who makes major decisions about the child’s life, such as decisions involving:

  • education (school choices, tutoring, special supports)
  • medical care (treatment plans, therapy, major health decisions)
  • religion (if relevant)
  • important cultural or lifestyle decisions

This is the “legal authority” side of parenting.

A family can have 50/50 parenting time while still having different decision-making arrangements, such as:

  • shared decision-making (parents decide together)
  • one parent having decision-making responsibility (in specific areas, or overall)

So a parent can spend equal time with the child but not be the one making every major decision alone. On the other hand, a parent could have major decision-making responsibilities even if parenting time is not perfectly equal.

 

Common 50/50 Parenting Schedules in Ontario

A) Week-On / Week-Off

A week-on/week-off schedule means the child spends one full week with Parent A, then one full week with Parent B, repeating every two weeks.

This schedule is often the simplest to understand because the child has one “home base” for a full week at a time.

Best for older children
This structure usually works better for school-aged kids and teenagers, especially when they can handle being away from one parent for a longer stretch without feeling unsettled.

Pros: fewer exchanges
One of the biggest benefits is that there are fewer handoffs, which can mean:

  • fewer chances for arguments at pick-up or drop-off
  • less stress for the child during transitions
  • fewer forgotten items (like school supplies or sports gear)
  • less need for constant coordination

Challenges: long time away from the other parent
The downside is that seven days can feel long, especially for younger kids or kids who are very attached to daily contact.

Challenges can include:

  • the child missing the other parent mid-week
  • feeling like they have two separate lives instead of one consistent routine
  • parents struggling with communication during the off-week
  • issues with school nights if one parent lives farther away

Many parents using this schedule still build in small supports like mid-week video calls, shared calendars, or flexible communication to help the child feel connected to both homes.

 

B) 2-2-3 Schedule

A 2-2-3 schedule usually means:

  • 2 days with Parent A
  • 2 days with Parent B
  • 3 days with Parent A
    Then the next week flips, so Parent B gets the 3-day stretch.

Over two weeks, it balances out evenly.

Great for younger kids who need frequent contact
This schedule is popular for younger children, because they don’t go very long without seeing either parent. For children who find separation difficult, frequent time with each parent can make the schedule feel more secure.

Easy routine to remember
Many parents like this schedule because it becomes predictable:

  • the same “days of the week” tend to stay consistent
  • the child learns what days belong to which parent
  • it fits well with school and daycare routines

Once it becomes normal, it can feel very structured and stable.

Requires more exchanges and coordination
The biggest downside is that there are more transitions. More handoffs means:

  • more planning and communication
  • more chances for mix-ups
  • more travel time
  • more stress if parents struggle with cooperation

This schedule works best when both parents can:

  • stay organized
  • communicate in a calm, business-like way
  • keep exchanges brief and child-focused

If there is high conflict, the child may feel stuck in the middle because exchanges happen so often.

 

C) 2-2-5-5 Schedule

The 2-2-5-5 schedule is a very common 50/50 arrangement in Ontario, especially for families with children in school.

It usually looks like this:

  • Parent A has the child every Monday and Tuesday
  • Parent B has the child every Wednesday and Thursday
  • Then weekends rotate in 5-day blocks (Friday to Tuesday, then Wednesday to Sunday)

The result is equal time, while keeping some days consistent each week.

Balanced schedule with more consistency
This schedule is often considered one of the most stable forms of shared parenting because:

  • each parent gets consistent weekdays
  • the child knows where they’ll be on certain days
  • routines (homework, bedtime, school prep) are easier to manage

It can feel more “normal” compared to schedules where the child is switching homes constantly.

Often works for school-aged children
Kids in school usually do well with this arrangement because it provides:

  • predictable weekday structure
  • consistent responsibilities for each parent (like specific school pick-up days)
  • fewer disruptions during busy school weeks

It can also help with planning activities, tutoring, and extracurriculars because each parent has set time that repeats.

Reduces mid-week disruption
Compared with the 2-2-3 schedule, the 2-2-5-5 schedule often feels smoother because:

  • the child stays in one home for longer stretches
  • parents get longer blocks of time
  • the child has fewer “back-and-forth” transitions during school nights

It’s a popular option when parents want a true shared schedule but don’t want too many exchanges.

 

D) Custom 50/50 Schedule

Not every family fits neatly into a standard schedule, and that’s normal. Many parents in Ontario use a custom 50/50 schedule to match real-life needs.

Based on work shifts, travel, or school schedules
Custom schedules often happen when:

  • one parent works rotating shifts (health care, security, trades, emergency services)
  • one parent travels for work
  • parents live in different school zones
  • the child has special activities or appointments
  • there are multiple children with different routines

The key is that the schedule still adds up to roughly equal parenting time, but in a way that is realistic and child-focused.

Must be written clearly to avoid conflict
Custom schedules can work extremely well, but only if they are written clearly.

Vague parenting schedules cause stress because parents may disagree about:

  • who gets a specific weekend
  • what time exchanges happen
  • what happens on PA days, snow days, or sick days
  • what “holiday time” actually means
  • whether travel plans override the normal schedule

A strong custom schedule should spell out:

  • exact exchange times and locations
  • holiday rotations (including long weekends)
  • rules for schedule changes
  • how missed time is made up
  • how parents communicate (text, email, parenting app)

 

FAQs

Is 50/50 parenting time automatic in Ontario after separation?

No. 50/50 parenting time is not automatic in Ontario after a separation.

What is the best 50/50 parenting schedule for young children?

For younger children, the 2-2-3 schedule is one of the most commonly used 50/50 schedules.

Can one parent deny 50/50 parenting time in Ontario?

One parent can refuse to agree to 50/50, but they cannot simply deny the other parent time without valid reasons and legal support.

Can 50/50 parenting time work if parents don’t get along?

Sometimes, yes. 50/50 can still work even when parents don’t get along, but it usually requires stronger structure.