Is a Birdnesting Arrangement Right for My Family?

While divorce is often difficult for all members of a family, children tend to have the hardest time adapting to post-divorce life. Fortunately, there are a few different ways that parents can help ease their children into the changes that a divorce entails. One of these methods is known as birdnesting and involves allowing children to continue to live full-time in the family’s home, while the parents taking turns caring for the children in that home according to a specific schedule. To find out whether birdnesting could be right for you and your family, contact our Fort Lauderdale child custody attorneys today.

What is Birdnesting? 

Birdnesting is a type of parenting schedule, in which two parties share parenting time equally, while also allowing the children to continue living in the family home. Parents who choose to use this method take turns living with the children, while the other parent lives in a shared residence until it is his or her turn to care for the children. When this type of system is implemented properly, children are able to maintain a consistent and familiar residence, while also having frequent contact with both of their parents.

What are the Benefits of Birdnesting? 

There are a number of benefits to a birdnesting custody arrangement. For instance, parents who utilize this type of arrangement are not required to pack up a child’s bag every other week and transport him or her to a different residence, which can be stressful for both the parent and the child. Birdnesting also helps prevent couples from fighting over who will retain the family home and can protect children from the stress of relocating or changing schools. Birdnesting parents often choose to share an apartment that each party will occupy individually when not living in the family home with their children, which can save couples the effort and expense of each finding a new place to live that is large enough to accommodate their entire family.

The Potential Drawbacks of Birdnesting  

Although birdnesting works for many families, it does come with certain drawbacks. For instance, couples who use a bird nesting arrangement often find themselves having the same types of arguments and conflicts as when they were married. It can also be confusing for children, who may not grasp that their parents are no longer together. For these reasons, birdnesting may not be appropriate for former spouses who already have a high-conflict relationship. Most experts also believe that the key to making bird nesting arrangements work is to limit the duration of the experience, usually for around six months, as this amount of time gives children enough time to transition to post-divorce life, while limiting the potential for conflict and confusion.

Contact an Experienced Child Custody Lawyer  

For help coming up with a parenting plan that is in the best interests of your children, please call dedicated child custody attorney Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591 today. You can also reach a member of our legal team via online message.

Resource:

nbcnews.com/better/health/birdnesting-gives-kids-one-stable-home-after-divorce-does-it-ncna935336

https://www.sandrabonfiglio.com/including-virtual-visitation-in-your-parenting-plan/