What is Nesting?

No one starts building their happy family thinking about what they would do if that family unit ever became divided. Divorce is one of the hardest things anyone could ever have to go through, but it remains extremely common in modern America. Perhaps the only thing harder than going through divorce proceedings is a family going through a divorce with children caught in the middle.

One new concept for divorcing couples with children is ‘nesting.’

Co-parenting is good for the child after a divorce, but sometimes it can be stressful to shepherd the child back and forth from one spouse’s house to the next. Nesting is a housing option for divorcing couples with children wherein the child stays in the family home until they’re ready to move on, and the parents come and go from the household, sometimes trading occupancy.

What Are the Benefits of Nesting?

One of the primary concerns in a divorce needs to be the care of the children. Nesting attempts to keep the best interests of the children at the forefront. And while divorce will likely always prove difficult for our offspring, there may be ways to limit additional stressors.

Via a well-executed nesting arrangement, the children will be allowed to stay in the home they know and not need to face the extra stress of moving to new locations all of the time. This can be especially useful for young children, who may not be able to understand why they only get to see their parents in two different homes.

What About the Cons?

It needs to be said that nesting could prove expensive, as maybe one spouse may not be able to maintain housing expenses of their own in addition to the shared family nest. As such, this option simply is not available to everyone.

The decision to share a nest with your ex-spouse will also largely come down to whether or not you can stand to share the same room with your ex. In order for nesting to work, ex-partners need to be able to trust each other and will likely communicate on a regular basis.

Is Nesting Right for You?

Therapists maintain that co-parenting with regular contact with both parents is the best way to help children heal in the time after a divorce. Nesting can benefit your children as it provides them with a home they already know while also giving them space and time to adapt to the changing roles in the family unit.

Divorce is highly stressful for both the spouses and everyone in their orbit. While difficult steps must be taken in divorce proceedings, it is important to act in the best interests of the children you share. Nesting could be a useful option for your family worthy of consideration. Contact our law firm today at (720) 420-1039 to learn more about how we can help you with your situation.