Figuring out your living situation after divorce is challenging, even for people who do not have kids. If you and your ex-spouse have children together, the situation becomes much more complex.
In the majority of joint custody situations, the parents set up separate households and the children move between them. However, this is not an optimal situation for all families. According to Psychology Today, nesting is a unique living situation for families that do not wish to move the kids frequently between houses.
How does it work?
The term “nesting” takes its moniker from the way that parent birds care for baby birds. Naturally, the baby birds stay in the same nest while the parent birds fly in and out to take care of the babies.
Likewise, nesting involves the children living in the same domicile 100% of the time. It is the parents that move in and out of the family home according to the custody schedule. This living situation puts the onus of movement on the parents rather than the children.
What are the benefits?
If your children are older, you may find that this is the most peaceful post-divorce living situation for your family; many older children resent moving frequently between houses. You can keep the children in the same home until they graduate high school.
If you have special needs children, moving them can be dangerous. Nesting allows you to keep all vital medications and equipment in the same living space. Nesting can also help keep your kids in the same school district if you live in an expensive area that you cannot afford as a single individual.