Bird Nesting

In family court, "bird nesting" (or simply "nesting") is a co-parenting arrangement where children remain in the family home while the parents take turns living there. This approach provides children with stability during and after a divorce, allowing them to stay in a familiar environment rather than shuffling between two separate households.

In a typical bird nesting setup, each parent resides in the family home during their assigned parenting time and lives elsewhere when it's the other parent's turn. To make this arrangement work, parents may rent or share a secondary living space or stay with family or friends when not in the family home. While bird nesting can benefit children by maintaining consistency and reducing disruptions, it requires a high level of cooperation, communication, and respect between parents to manage shared expenses, chores, and boundaries.

Bird nesting can be temporary, often used during the initial stages of separation to help children adjust, or long-term in cases where parents can co-manage effectively. However, it can become challenging if conflicts arise, if either parent starts a new relationship, or if financial strains make it difficult to maintain two residences. Family courts may support or suggest bird nesting arrangements, especially when it aligns with the best interests of the children and both parents can agree on the terms.