In traditional child custody or co-parenting arrangements, both parents will live in separate homes, while their children travel from home to home to spend time with each parent. With nesting, the children stay in the family home and it is the parents who travel to see them. This arrangement is ideal for parents who don’t feel comfortable with their children living in two different environments, which can often create stress and inconsistency within the family.
Benefits of Nesting
Allowing children to stay in the family home after the parents split up creates a sense of continuity and comfort – feelings that cannot be taken for granted during the divorce process. Children are able stay where they are already familiar and with the items they know and love. Oftentimes, this also means they will stay near their friends, other family members, school, and after-school activities. Parents are able to keep their family home, without the stress of selling it. Nesting also allows parents to keep most items in one place that would otherwise be split up (and perhaps left behind after visits).
Challenges to Nesting
For one, parents may not have the financial capability to afford several homes. Second, though the children may have more stability by staying in the marital home, neither parents will, and will have to sacrifice their sense of comfort for the children. Household chores and responsibilities will have to be split up and distributed, according to a parenting plan. Nesting can also be difficult emotionally. If parents develop a sense of animosity toward one another, say from entering into a new relationship, they may be less willing to cooperate.
Why You Should Hire A Lawyer
When deciding your co-parenting plan in line with your child custody agreement or order from the court, you should always be sure that you are receiving the best plan for you and your family. If you wish to start your child custody arrangement or need help with an existing one, don’t hesitate to contact our office. Our experienced family law attorneys can help you today!