Millennial divorcees are increasingly keeping their children in their former family home, while rotating in and out of the property themselves.
Although still a relatively unknown concept globally, birdnesting or nesting seems to be on the rise in Western countries, largely among middle-class families. An increase in birdnesting has been reported in places including the US,Australia and The Netherlands. A recent UK study by Co-op Legal Services suggested that 11% of divorced or separated parents have tried it
We can advise on how these sort of arrangements can be discussed and agreed whilst maintaining focus on the welfare of the children.
Splitting up from a partner is always hard, especially if children are caught up in the process. And with reams of international research suggesting how unsettling divorce can be for young people, some parents are turning to an innovative solution to try and help ease the process. ‘Birdnesting’ or ‘nesting’ is a way of living that enables children to remain in the family home and spend time with each parent there. Each parent stays at the home during their agreed time, then elsewhere when they’re ‘off duty’. The concept gets its name from bird parents, who keep their chicks safe in a nest and alternately fly in and out to care for them.
