#Birdnesting

As divorce rates remain steady, a new trend in co-parenting, called “birdnesting,” is drawing interest from parents worldwide—including in Thailand. The latest research and high-profile features, such as a recent piece in the Washington Post, shed light on how divorced couples are choosing to share the family home for the benefit of their children, even as they formally split as partners.

In a compelling case described by the Washington Post, parents who divorced chose to prioritize the stability of their children by keeping the family home as a shared, central residence. Rather than constantly moving their children back and forth between two homes, the former couple rotated in and out of the family apartment on a set schedule. This arrangement, dubbed “birdnesting,” is designed to minimize disruption for children during an often tumultuous period and to ensure that family routines and environments can be maintained, at least during the adjustment to a new family dynamic. According to the report, the former couple maintained an informal custody agreement, with the mother and father alternating time with their three children, leaving and arriving at clearly stipulated intervals to reduce friction Washington Post.

A growing number of families in Thailand are exploring birdnesting — a co-parenting arrangement where children stay in the family home while parents rotate living there. Experts say this model can reduce disruption for children during separation, offering a stable environment in a time of change.

In Thai communities, preserving routines, schools, and social networks matters deeply. Birdnesting aligns with family-centered values by keeping children in familiar spaces, neighborhoods, and support systems even after parents part ways. As urban life in Bangkok evolves, practical custody arrangements like this gain traction among parents seeking to shield children from conflict.

As divorce rates in Thailand and across the globe continue to rise, families are searching for innovative ways to support children through parental separation. One approach gaining international attention, and now prompting discussion among Thai experts, is “birdnesting”—an arrangement where children remain in the family home while separated parents alternate living there. According to a recent report by ABC News Australia, this “modern collaborative” form of co-parenting is increasingly being considered by parents hoping to minimize disruption in their children’s lives during emotionally turbulent times (abc.net.au).