Even if ending your marriage is the right decision, your divorce may be hard on your kids. After all, children with divorced parents often experience anger, depression, anxiety and even academic decline. Providing structure and stability may help you combat many of these.
Bird nesting, where the children remain in the family home while each parent rotates into and out of it, has become popular in recent decades. Here are three signs this type of co-parenting arrangement may work for your post-divorce family.
1. You kids love where they live
Forcing your kids to give up their homes may make them feel like they have lost all control over their lives. They may also hate to constantly shuffle between two households. If your kids have settled well into the family home, bird-nesting may give them some stability until they adjust to your divorce.
2. You can cooperate with your soon-to-be ex-spouse
For bird-nesting to be successful, both parents must commit to it. Even though your marriage is not working, you and your spouse may be able to cooperate with each other for the good of your kids. If the two of you can agree on some rules, bird-nesting may be a good option.
3. You can afford more than one residence
Bird nesting is not necessarily cheap, as both parents must maintain separate residences in addition to the family home. Still, if you have the financial resources to do so, the advantages of bird-nesting may far outweigh its added expenses.
Your odds of having a flourishing bird nesting arrangement probably depend on many factors. Ultimately, though, if you and your ex-spouse can make the arrangement work, your kids may have an easier time coping with your divorce.
