What is nesting in child custody and parenting time agreements? Parents who go through a divorce are almost always deeply concerned about lessening the impact of divorce on a child. One recent idea you may have heard about is the concept of “nesting.”
Generally speaking, “nesting” involves keeping the family home for the residence of the child(ren) while the parents rotate in and out based upon the parenting plan. The parties share a second home, condo or apartment where they live in the “off” periods of the parenting time schedule.
There are several substantial advantages to the concept of nesting from the perspective of the child. Your child(ren) remain in the home they have known and are most comfortable in. Instead of being constantly shuffled between two separate (and often new and strange) households, the child remains in a home with which they are comfortable and familiar. You don’t have to worry about dividing their clothes and possessions or acquiring copies of favorites for each separate home.
Children in nesting situations are able to remain in the same school and keep the same schedule throughout and after the divorce. They are able to stay in close communication with friends and have all of their belongings in their own room.
Nesting isn’t the best child custody and parenting time solution for many family families and there are potential drawbacks to consider. Nesting may create a false hope for the kids that the parents will get back together. The children must still adapt and come to terms with the reason one parent stays and the other leaves. There are obvious financial implications for the parties to manage. The complexities of dating after a divorce in these scenarios create substantial challenges in many cases.
Nesting in child custody and parenting time is it prioritizes the needs and well-being of the child(ren). Nesting is still a relatively new concept, but it seems to work best when the strategy is employed as a transition of several months. Some psychologists and developmental behaviorists have recently questioned if longer periods of nesting actually lead to uncertainty for the children while impeding progress for parents and children alike to learn to live separately and move forward after a divorce.
If you are seeking sound counsel regarding divorce and child custody issues we invite you to review the recommendations of former clients and the legal industry and contact Burke & Domercq or call 760-389-3927 to learn more or schedule an appointment.