Joint custody (United States)

When mommy and daddy decide they can't live together, sometimes they decide that they will both take care of the kids. This is called joint custody. This means that mommy and daddy will share the time they spend with the kids and make decisions together about what is best for them. It's like having two homes, and the kids get to spend time at both homes. One week they might be with mommy, and the next week they might be with daddy. This helps the kids to have both parents in their lives and feel loved by both of them. It's important that mommy and daddy talk to each other and work together to make sure the kids are happy and healthy.