Birdnesting, also known as “nesting” or “bird’s nest custody,” is a parenting arrangement used in Texas and around the country, in which children remain in a single household while the parents take turns living with them. The idea behind this approach is to minimize the disruption to the children’s lives and routines by keeping them in the same home and community while allowing the parents to separate and move on with their individual lives.
Benefits of birdnesting
One of the key benefits of birdnesting is that it allows children to maintain a sense of continuity and stability in their lives. Children can stay in the same school, participate in the same extracurricular activities and continue to have relationships with friends and family members, which can help mitigate the emotional and psychological effects of separation or divorce.
Types of birdnesting
Birdnesting can take different forms depending on the specific situation. In some cases, one parent may move in and out of the family home on a rotating schedule, while in other cases, the parents may take turns living in the family home while the other parent lives in a separate residence.
Legal status of nesting
The idea of birdnesting is still not common and not legally recognized in many places, thus a legal agreement is required to establish who should cover the costs of the home and who is responsible for the bills and taxes. Some other factors to consider before opting for birdnesting are the cost of keeping up two households, the physical and emotional capacity of the parents to take turn nesting and the compatibility of each other’s schedules.
Is it right for you?
While birdnesting can be beneficial for some families, it is not the right child custody choice for every family. The parents should carefully consider this option with guidance from appropriate experts to determine if it would be healthy for everyone involved.
A viable custody option
Birdnesting is a unique approach to parenting arrangements following separation or divorce that aims to minimize the disruption to children’s lives by keeping them in a familiar home and community. The idea has the potential to be beneficial for some families. It needs to be considered along with the legal and emotional aspects before deciding if it is the right choice for the family.