Shared custody comes in various forms. In many families, parents try to split parenting time as equally as possible. Some couples end up living far from each other, so one parent takes the children during the school year and the other one takes them during the summer. Some couples have numerous children, so they agreed to split custody, with each parent assuming sole custody over specific kids.
One arrangement that’s become increasingly popular is birdnesting. Often used by those who own a home in a popular school district, birdnesting offers children the maximum amount of stability possible after a divorce.
Birdnesting provides stability for the children
When parents with young children divorce, it is common for one parent to ask to keep the family home. The other might receive equity and rent their own place, with the kids moving between homes during each custody exchange.
In a birdnesting arrangement, the couple agrees to maintain shared ownership of the home. The children treat the home as their primary residence, while the parents move in and out according to their custody agreement.
Birdnesting is great for children because they get to stay at the same school and don’t have to get used to living in two different places. The arrangements can benefit parents because they don’t have to sell their home right away. However, it can be more expensive than other arrangements because parents not only need to maintain the family home but their independent living quarters, such as an apartment, elsewhere.
Learning about birdnesting can help you decide if it is a custody solution that would work for your family.