Birdnesting is a type of child custody plan where the children always live in the same house. Parents can still share custody, but they do it by moving in and out of the home. The schedule is for the parents, not for the children.
For many people, this is cost-prohibitive. It is simply too expensive for each parent to own their own home, and also share a third home for the children to live in. But in a high-asset divorce case, it can be a viable option, especially because parents may already own multiple properties. If cost does not stand in the way, birdnesting can actually be a better child custody situation for the children.
What are the advantages?
One main advantage is that it makes divorce feel like less of a change. The children may still get to continue living in the home where they lived prior to the divorce, with both of their parents. They still have their same bedrooms and a space where they feel familiar and comfortable. They have all of their clothes, toys, electronic devices, and other things that they own. They do not have to spend nearly as much time on the road, moving back and forth between houses.
Are there any drawbacks?
Aside from the cost, the main drawback is that two parents who decide to use birdnesting still have to be closely involved with one another. They have to determine how to share the cost of the children’s property, for example, or how to share and divide chores and responsibilities at that house. So this only really works if parents have enough money to make it affordable and if they are on relatively good terms with one another.
This helps to show why it is important to carefully consider all of your options when going through a divorce. Every situation is unique, but you can find solutions that work for you and your family.