What impact should a child's age have on custody and visitation scheduling?

Development experts agree that children of different ages have different needs regarding visitation scheduling. Experts generally recommend the following schedules, which may need adjustment for parents with either outstanding or limited parenting skills.

Birth to 8 months: 2 or 3 weekly visits of 2 to 3 hours each.

9 to 12 months: 2 or 3 weekly visits of 4 to 8 hours each with one possible overnight weekend visit of 10 hours.

13 months to 3 years: 2 or 3 weekly visits of 6 to 8 hours each with one 24-hour weekly overnight weekend visit.

4 to 5 years: 2 or 3 weekly visits of 6 to 8 hours each with one 24 hour weekly overnight weekend visit and the beginning of vacation (three 2 day visits per year).

6 to 8 years: Every other weekend from Friday after school until Sunday night and one other weekday night (dinner and homework to be completed during the visit). Vacations of 3 consecutive weeks in the summer (during which other parent gets visitation) and other school vacations split equally. Allowances should be made in the schedule for "homesickness" that allows children to return to primary parent as needed during longer visitation times.

9 to 12 years: Every other weekend from Friday after school until Sunday night and one other weekday night (dinner and homework to be completed during the visit). Vacations of 3 consecutive weeks in the summer (during which other parent gets visitation) and other school vacations split equally.

13 to 17 years: Every other weekend from Friday after school until Sunday night and one other weekday night (dinner and homework to be completed during the visit). Vacations of 3 consecutive weeks in the summer (during which other parent gets visitation) and other school vacations split equally. Teenager should be consulted for modifications consistent with other activities.

When parents enter into a shared parenting arrangement, the Children's Right Council recommends the following custody schedule.

Under 1 year. Part of each day with parent.
1 to 2 years. Every other day with each parent.
2 to 5 years. No more than two days without seeing a parent.
5 to 9 years. Each parent takes alternate week with off-duty parent getting mid-week visitation.
Over 9. Alternate weeks.