People are loving estranged couple’s unconventional co-parenting strategy

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A couple divorcing after 19 years of marriage decided to do the unthinkable when it came to balancing their co-parenting duties: They kept their family home.

Susan Fowler and Josh Fowler opted to take turns living in their marital home while their five children stayed put.

“We wanted consistency for our kids,” Susan told Today, while soon-to-be-ex Josh agreed.

“Moving the children back and forth between two homes seemed like a terrible idea. We thought, ‘What if everything they know and love stayed the same?’”

Susan posted a video on TikTok explaining their living arrangement with the caption: “Working through an amicable divorce means we get to think outside the box. We realized keeping the kids in their same home is a top priority.”

So instead, they take turns living in it.

“It was scary at first, figuring out the logistics, each finding a room to rent,” Susan explained in a TikTok clip that shows her dragging her belongings down a hallway and has amassed more than 7 million views.

“But it was also way cheaper than two houses big enough for six people.”

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The comment sections of her videos were flooded with people applauding the couple for thinking of the kids first.

“Kudos!! Children NEED consistency. Adults can work through the chaos,” one person wrote.

Another noted how “this shows the level of maturity between the two parties.”

Susan explained in another video that they abide by an agreement, where Susan lives in the family home on Mondays and Tuesdays, Josh lives there on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and they alternate staying in the home on weekends.

They ensure that whichever parent puts the kids to bed, also wakes them up.

Also, arrival time for each parent is 10 a.m. — after the kids have left for school so any morning issues are handled in full by the present parent.

According to Today, the Fowlers are “birdnesting,” referring to how some bird species take turns flying away from the nest to secure resources, while the other remains and cares for their young.

“We both agree that we don’t want to be married to each other … but if we get along, we can make our kids’ lives better,” Susan told the outlet.

Josh added: “We had to learn to communicate … and make it work as friends. We’re going to be in each other’s lives forever, because we have kids, so why fight? There’s no need.”