Divided and yet united: advantages and disadvantages of alternating custody

Advantages:

1. Equal parenting: Both parents have the opportunity to play an active role in the child's everyday life, which strengthens the bond with both parents.
2. Stable environment for the child: Children benefit from the variety, consistency and routine in the everyday lives of both parents. The child can maintain social contacts (relatives, friends, etc.) with both parents to the same extent.
3. Emotional well-being: The child has the certainty that it will not lose either the mother or the father despite the separation of the parents. Both parents are available to the child as figures of identification and the child can benefit from their different abilities and opportunities for development. 
4. Advantage for the parents: Both parents have time for themselves to develop professionally and personally.
5. Better conflict resolution: If both parents are equally involved, this can lead to conflicts occurring less frequently and being resolved more quickly. Furthermore, the risk of a conflict of loyalty is avoided because a "fight for the child" is less frequent.

Disadvantages:

1. Logistical challenges: Moving between two households can be organizationally challenging and requires good communication and cooperation between parents.
2. Instability/flexibility: Some children find the change of households stressful, especially if the households are far apart or if there are different rules and routines in the everyday life of the households.
3. Social impact: The change of households can lead to the child having to leave their familiar surroundings and social environment.
4. Cost: Maintaining two fully equipped households can be a financial burden.
5. Emotional strain for parents: The need to stay in constant contact and work together can be emotionally stressful for parents who have separated in a dispute.

Conclusion: Alternating care offers both opportunities and challenges. The success of this model depends heavily on the individual situation of the family, the communication and cooperation between the parents and the needs and well-being of the child.