If you are going through a divorce and have children, it is highly likely that you will share custody of them with your ex spouse after. Co-parenting is in the best interest of the children most of the time, but it can be a struggle on multiple levels.
One way that some post-divorce families manage their co-parenting situation is through “nesting.” As per Psychology Today, nesting involves the children staying in one house while the parents move in and out like adult birds taking care of babies in a nest.
What are the advantages of a nesting arrangement?
One of the biggest obstacles for parents after a divorce is moving the children between two separate households. It is easy to forget vital items at the other parent’s house, and all of the movement can be difficult on children.
Nesting allows the children to stay in one environment. Not only does this solve many practical concerns, but it also affords the children a high level of stability during a time that can often feel very chaotic. Sometimes nesting only lasts for as long as the divorce process does, in order to maximize consistency for the children.
What if I want to establish my own house?
The majority of nesting arrangements are temporary. It is not uncommon for families to choose a nesting arrangement while they are going through the divorce or while they are trying to set up their lives afterward.
However, in certain situations long-term nesting may be beneficial, such as if the family lives in a high cost of living area. In some circumstances, parents may choose to continue nesting until the children leave the house.
