Divorce is often difficult for children, no matter how well the parents handle the situation. It is understandable that many concerned parents want to make the transition to divorced life as easy on their children as possible.
One way that families are doing this is by experimenting with a new living situation: nesting. Nesting is an alternative means of handling joint custody that allows the children to live in one situation 100% of the time, according to Psychology Today.
How does nesting work?
Nesting involves the children living in one house full time. The parents are the ones who manage the custody schedule by moving in and out according to the court agreement. Basically, instead of the children moving between two separate houses, the parents rotate in and out of one single house that the children are in all of the time.
What are the benefits?
Nesting provides an incredible amount of stability to your children. Particularly if you nest in the home that you and your children resided in when you and your ex-spouse were still married, the children do not need to move at all. Additionally, there is zero risks of forgetting vital medications or beloved stuffed animals at the other parent’s house.
If you live in an expensive area, nesting might be the only realistic way to ensure that your children stay in the same school district. Particularly if your children are close to high school graduation, you may find that nesting is a great way to prevent conflict related to frequent moving (common with older children) and then you can dissolve the family home after graduation.