Is “birdnesting” ideal to help your kids cope with your divorce? 

If you’re going through a divorce or recently settled it, then you’ve undoubtedly researched ways to help your child cope with the end of your marriage. You know that consistency is key, and that you need to do whatever you can to keep your children’s lives as steady and stable as possible.

At least some of the resources that you’ve consulted have likely discussed how different custody schedules and living arrangements may impact your child. 

Has birdnesting been one of them?

What is birdnesting? 

This concept involves parents rotating in and out of the family home when it’s their scheduled parenting time instead of children traveling back-and-forth from each parent’s individual homes.

As you may suspect, parents who take part in birdnesting will each generally have their own separate places where they’ll stay when it’s not currently their turn to spend time with their kids. 

In some rare cases, both parents even continue living in the marital home where they maintain their own separate rooms, yet continue to trade off who’s responsible for primary supervision of the child as per their parenting plan. 

How does birdnesting benefit the children?

Birdnesting eliminates the need for your child to move homes — or even travel between homes for visitation.

This means that they don’t have to worry about taking (or being apart from) their comfort items. They don’t have to regularly adjust to a new environment. It also means that they get to stay in their same social circle, with the same school and friends.

How might birdnesting benefit parents?

Birdnesting can allow co-parents the opportunity to rely on each other for childcare and emergencies similar to the way they did when they were married. It also eliminates the hassle (and time cost) of custody exchanges — which can benefit busy parents, in particular.

You may also avoid having to spend extra money on buying your child duplicate items often necessary when children split their time between homes. 

Birdnesting isn’t ideal for every family but can aid your child in adjusting to the new normal. It’s just one of many different custody options you can explore.