Child custody arrangements can sometimes be difficult for children who don’t want to move. For one thing, they’re used to the family home that they’ve grown up in so far, and they want to stay in a place that is familiar. Additionally, they may not like the idea of having to commute back and forth between a mother and father’s home, which can be stressful and takes a lot of time.
Thankfully, there is a solution. This is known as birdnesting. Couples who use this child custody arrangement will simply allow the children to stay in the home 100% of the time. They will never have to move. If they’re already homeowners, the couple will likely opt to keep their shared home so that they don’t have to sell it as they divide assets.
But who has custody?
Couples do still have to make a custom schedule, and they don’t live together in the home. That schedule is what tells them when it is their shift to live in the house with the children and when they need to move out so that their ex can move in. The parents then shift back and forth on the schedule, putting the commuting pressure solely on them and allowing the children as much stability as possible.
In fact, that stability is often why parents choose this tactic. It can be difficult for children to go through a divorce when they feel like life is changing dramatically. But staying in the same home and continuing to see both parents can make it seem like things are relatively normal.
Of course, this is only one of your options when you are considering child custody. Make sure you know exactly what legal steps to take.
