The Birdnesting Divorce – Is This Growing Trend Right for Your Family?

 Posted on July 14, 2017 in Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Family structures have changed drastically over the last several years – so has divorce. It used to be that one parent would keep the family home and the other would relocate, or the couple would sell the family home and then both would relocate. Now there are birdnesting arrangements, where the children keep the home and the parents both rotate in and out to care for them. How does this arrangement work, and is it right for your family? The following may help you decide.

Birdnesting Basics

Birdnesting is not a traditional parenting plan arrangement, but it is a growing trend. Much of its popularity can be attributed to the changes in family structure; working parents may find it easier to move in and out of the home instead of moving the children around. However, the real root of this trend is based on what parents feel to be the best interests of their children.

Divorce is infamous for creating stress in children, and many kids struggle to cope. Birdnesting attempts to combat such issues by minimizing the number of changes in a child's life. They keep the same room. They go to the same school. Everything is familiar. The only thing that may be different is how they spend their time. Mom might be home one day, and dad might be home the next. However, there are some birdnesting arrangements in which parents spend time together; an example might be sharing family meals instead of eating separately.

Is Birdnesting Right for You?

Making an arrangement like birdnesting work is no easy task. You have to share a space with your spouse, and many of the issues that you dealt with in marriage may still surface. For example, if you come home to spend the week with the kids and your spouse has failed to do the housecleaning, you may quickly become frustrated with the situation. In addition, couples who struggle to act maturely, suffer from a lot of animosity toward one another, and couples who have a history of abuse are rarely good candidates for birdnesting. On the other hand, if you are patient, willing to work together, and can set clear boundaries, this parenting plan may work for you.

Contact Our Joliet Family Law Attorneys

If you are considering birdnesting for your family, contact Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C. for assistance. Known for our ability to approach each case with a unique perspective, our Joliet divorce lawyers can work to ensure you have considered all the potential pros and cons of your decision. We can also assist you with the smaller details of your arrangement. Get started by scheduling a free consultation. Call us at 815-666-1285 today.

Source:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/30/well/family/after-divorce-giving-our-kids-custody-of-the-home.html