How to co-parent when you live 2 hours apart | DadHQ

How to co-parent when you live 2 hours apart

Mar 231 min read

Moved for work and now I'm 2 hours away from the kids. Their mom wants to keep them on the same school schedule but I want to see them more than just weekends. We're talking about trying a 3-2-2-3 schedule but logistics are killing us. Gas alone is gonna be insane. Has anyone made long distance co-parenting work? What schedule actually works and how do you handle it when one parent has a new partner in the picture?

6 comments199 views

Comments(6)

CCarl S.RegularMar 23

Man, that's tough. I did something similar for work and ended up doing every other weekend plus one weeknight dinner when I could swing it. The drive sucks but those consistent touchpoints really help the kids adjust.

SSam P.RegularMar 23

The school schedule thing is real though - I had to work that out too. Maybe propose alternating weeks or a specific weeknight where you pick them up early if the school allows it? Shows her you're committed to being there.

CCole B.RegularMar 23

Two hours isn't ideal but it's workable if you both agree on a rhythm. My advice: write down what you actually want the schedule to look like and come to her with specific days/times instead of just saying you want more.

BBenRegularMar 23

Two hours is brutal. We did something similar for six months and the back and forth killed us all. The school thing is actually important though - consistency matters for kids. Have you talked to their mom about whether changing schools would actually help or hurt?

GGarrettRegularMar 24

The distance is the real enemy here, not the scheduling. Some parents do the every other week swap, some do month blocks. You need what works for your kids' routine and honestly what you can actually commit to logistically. That two hour drive gets old fast.

PPatrick M.New DadMar 25

Kids are resilient but distance is hard on them. I'd focus on quality time when you have them rather than fighting over school switches. Keep one stable thing in their life if you can.