Parenting Time Schedules for Young Children in Minnesota
How Parenting Time Schedules Are Structured for Young Children in Minnesota
Parenting time schedules are among the most important—and most sensitive—issues in any Minnesota custody or divorce case. When the child involved is very young, the court’s approach to parenting time becomes especially nuanced. The law recognizes that infants and toddlers have different emotional, developmental, and attachment needs than older children. Minnesota family courts therefore structure parenting time for young children in ways that promote bonding with both parents while minimizing instability.
The Legal Framework: Minnesota’s Parenting Time Laws
Parenting time in Minnesota is governed primarily by Minnesota Statutes § 518.175, which defines parenting time as the time each parent spends with a child, regardless of the child’s residence. The statute gives parents the opportunity for “frequent and continuing contact” with their children, unless such contact would endanger the child’s physical or emotional health.
Courts must consider the best interests of the child as outlined in Minnesota Statutes § 518.17, which sets forth 12 factors the court uses to determine both custody and parenting time. These include:
The child’s physical, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs
The child’s developmental stage and capacity to adjust to changes
The history and nature of each parent’s participation in caring for the child
The child’s relationships with each parent
The willingness and ability of each parent to cooperate and support the child’s relationship with the other parent
When young children are involved, courts place particular emphasis on developmental needs, attachment, and consistency.
Understanding Developmental Needs in Parenting Time Schedules
Very young children—especially those under the age of five—experience time, routine, and attachment differently from older children. For infants and toddlers, stability and predictability are essential. Sudden long separations from a primary caregiver can cause stress and anxiety, even if the other parent is loving and capable.
Minnesota courts often rely on child development research when creating parenting time schedules. The goal is to ensure that both parents have consistent, meaningful opportunities to bond with the child without creating confusion or emotional disruption.
Some of the developmental considerations include:
Attachment and Security
Infants form secure attachments through consistent, responsive caregiving. If one parent has historically been the primary caregiver, courts often introduce the other parent’s parenting time gradually.Routine and Predictability
Young children rely heavily on routines for meals, naps, and bedtime. Frequent transitions or long absences can interfere with sleep and emotional stability.Gradual Introduction of Overnights
For infants and very young toddlers, courts often start with shorter daytime visits and add overnights as the child grows more accustomed to both parents’ homes.Frequent, Short Visits Over Infrequent, Long Ones
Courts generally favor shorter but more frequent visits for very young children rather than long stretches of time apart from either parent.
Factors the Court Considers When Structuring Parenting Time for Young Children
In determining an appropriate parenting time schedule for young children, Minnesota courts consider many of the following factors:
The Age of the Child
Infants and toddlers have different capacities for separation. Courts may tailor the schedule to accommodate the child’s developmental stage.The Historical Caretaking Roles of Each Parent
If one parent has served as the primary caregiver, courts may start by granting that parent the majority of parenting time while gradually increasing time for the other parent.The Relationship Between Each Parent and the Child
Courts evaluate the strength of each parent-child bond and the child’s comfort level with both parents.Work Schedules and Availability
Practical considerations such as work hours, childcare arrangements, and distance between households affect the feasibility of transitions.Co-Parenting Cooperation
Parents who communicate effectively and prioritize the child’s needs often receive more flexible schedules, as courts have confidence that the parents will work together in good faith.Childcare and Support Systems
Courts may consider whether each parent has stable housing, childcare support, and a safe environment suited to a young child’s needs.
Common Parenting Time Schedules for Infants (0–18 Months)
For infants, the emphasis is on consistent contact with both parents while preserving the child’s sense of stability. Infants are unable to comprehend long separations from a primary caregiver and benefit from frequent, brief contact with both parents.
A typical schedule might include:
For the non-residential parent:
Three to four visits per week, lasting two to four hours each
No overnights initially, unless both parents agree and the child has an established routine with both
One longer weekend visit (4–6 hours)
Daily virtual or video contact if in-person visits are limited
Gradual transition:
After the child turns one, parents might begin introducing one overnight every other weekend
Overnights increase as the child demonstrates comfort and consistency with both parents
Parenting Time for Toddlers (18–36 Months)
At this stage, toddlers are developing stronger attachments and can handle slightly longer separations, though consistency remains key. Toddlers thrive with predictable schedules and routines in both homes.
A sample schedule might include:
One overnight per week (e.g., Saturday to Sunday)
Two shorter weekday visits (2–4 hours each)
A consistent exchange time to reduce confusion
Shared holidays on a limited basis (e.g., half-day visits)
As the child approaches age three, courts often expand parenting time to include:
Every other weekend (Friday evening through Sunday morning)
One midweek visit
Shared holidays on alternating years
Two to four consecutive overnight periods during vacations or holidays
This gradual expansion gives the child stability while encouraging bonding with both parents.
Parenting Time for Preschool-Aged Children (3–5 Years)
By preschool age, most children can handle longer periods away from each parent, provided the transitions remain predictable. Overnights become more common, and alternating weekend schedules are often implemented.
A common structure for this age group might include:
Every other weekend (Friday evening through Sunday evening)
One midweek overnight
Alternating holidays and birthdays
Non-consecutive weeks during summer months
Another option for parents with flexible schedules is the 2-2-3 rotation, where the child spends two days with one parent, two with the other, then three with the first parent (and alternates weekly). This schedule provides frequent contact with both parents and is often recommended for children who are emotionally adaptable and whose parents live close to each other.
Example 2-2-3 schedule:
Week 1: Mom Monday–Tuesday, Dad Wednesday–Thursday, Mom Friday–Sunday
Week 2: Dad Monday–Tuesday, Mom Wednesday–Thursday, Dad Friday–Sunday
This rotation allows both parents to share weekends and weekday caregiving responsibilities equally.
The Role of Parenting Consultants and Evaluators
In contested custody or parenting time cases, Minnesota courts sometimes appoint a Parenting Consultant (PC) or Custody Evaluator. These professionals help design developmentally appropriate schedules and assist parents in resolving disputes.
A Parenting Consultant can make recommendations or even decisions (if given that authority) about:
Transitions between homes
Introduction of new partners
Scheduling or communication disputes
Modifications as the child grows older
A Custody Evaluator, on the other hand, investigates and provides a written report to the court regarding what custody and parenting time arrangements serve the child’s best interests. The evaluator may consult child development experts and observe interactions between each parent and the child.
Modifying Parenting Time as Children Grow
Parenting time schedules are not static. As children age and their developmental needs change, parents can request modifications. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.175, subd. 5, a court may modify parenting time if it serves the best interests of the child and does not change the child’s primary residence, unless the modification would significantly endanger the child.
Common reasons for modification include:
The child beginning school
One parent moving
The child’s expressed preferences as they mature
Evidence that the current schedule causes emotional distress or logistical problems
If both parents agree on the modification, the process is typically straightforward. If they disagree, modifying a schedule may involve substantial litigation.
Encouraging Co-Parenting Cooperation
For young children, consistency between homes is crucial. Minnesota family courts encourage parents to communicate respectfully and cooperate when setting routines around sleep, meals, and discipline. Co-parenting apps and written communication logs can help minimize misunderstandings.
Some tips for effective co-parenting include:
Keep routines similar in both homes (bedtime, meals, etc.)
Use calm, neutral communication about exchanges
Avoid discussing adult issues or court matters around the child
Support the child’s relationship with the other parent, even if tensions exist
In most cases, cooperative parents are more likely to receive flexible and expanded parenting time schedules.
The Importance of Gradual Transitions and Flexibility
For infants and toddlers, gradual transitions between homes are critical. A schedule that changes too quickly or introduces long separations prematurely can backfire. Judges and family professionals commonly advise parents to monitor the child’s reactions and adjust accordingly.
Signs a schedule may need adjustment include:
Persistent distress during exchanges
Regression in sleeping or eating patterns
Excessive clinginess or fear before visits
Negative behavioral changes following transitions
Parents should document any concerns, share them respectfully with the other parent, and consider mediation before seeking court intervention.
How Distance Between Parents’ Homes Affects Parenting Time
Proximity between the parents’ residences is an important factor in structuring parenting time for young children. When both parents live close to one another (for example, within 10 to 15 miles), frequent transitions and short visits are feasible. However, when parents live farther apart, courts may need to adjust the schedule to reduce travel burdens.
In cases involving significant distance:
Infants and toddlers may continue to have shorter visits but less frequently.
Once the child is older, the court may allow longer but less frequent parenting time blocks.
Technology such as video calls can help maintain connection between visits.
Transitioning to School-Aged Schedules
Once a child begins kindergarten, many families move toward more standard schedules, such as alternating weekends with a midweek overnight or a 5-2-2-5 arrangement. These structures provide stability for the school week while maintaining frequent contact with both parents.
For instance, in a 5-2-2-5 schedule:
One parent has Monday–Friday (five days), while the other has the weekend (two days).
The schedule then alternates weekly.
This system works well for families living near each other and ensures each parent experiences both weekday and weekend parenting responsibilities.
How Courts Handle Disputes About Parenting Time for Young Children
When parents cannot agree on a schedule, the court may require mediation or refer the matter to Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE). These processes allow parents to receive feedback from neutral professionals about what schedule the court would likely order.
If the dispute continues, the judge may hold a hearing and decide based on:
Testimony from both parents
Evidence of each parent’s caregiving history
Expert testimony, such as from child psychologists or evaluators
The child’s needs as established by developmental guidelines
The guiding principle remains the child’s best interests—not the convenience or preferences of either parent.
How Parenting Time Orders Are Enforced
Once the court issues a parenting time order, both parents must follow it. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.175, subd. 6, a parent who denies or interferes with the other parent’s court-ordered parenting time can face consequences, including:
Make-up parenting time
Civil penalties
Contempt of court
Modification of the existing schedule
Parents should document missed visits or communication problems, as evidence may be necessary if court enforcement becomes required.
The Role of an Experienced Family Law Attorney
Every family is unique, and parenting time for young children must reflect that. An experienced family law attorney can help parents propose developmentally appropriate schedules to the court, negotiate or mediate agreements that work for both sides, and assist parents in establishing or modifying existing orders.
Representation is especially important when one parent attempts to limit contact, when domestic abuse allegations exist, or when the parents live in different states.
Roach Law PLLC provides compassionate and experienced representation for parents navigating custody and parenting time matters across Minnesota. Whether you are establishing a new schedule or seeking to modify an existing one, our firm can help you protect your relationship with your child and advocate for arrangements that promote your child’s well-being.
Minnesota Parenting Time and Custody Attorney
Parenting time schedules for young children in Minnesota require a careful balance of developmental science, legal principles, and practical realities. The goal is to help children build secure, loving relationships with both parents in a stable environment.
Courts prioritize frequent, consistent contact for both parents while respecting the child’s emotional and developmental needs. As children grow, schedules can and should evolve—what works for a 6-month-old will differ from what’s best for a 4-year-old.
By understanding the legal framework, communicating effectively, and focusing on the child’s best interests, parents can create parenting time arrangements that foster healthy development and enduring family bonds.
If you need assistance creating or modifying a parenting time schedule, set up a free consultation via our online booking form or call (651) 468-2103 to schedule a consultation.