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The concept of nesting after divorce

On Behalf of | Nov 10, 2021 | Divorce

Florida parents may have heard of nesting but not in relation to a divorce. Nesting is a unique way of looking at child custody where instead of making the child switch homes to spend time with the parents, the parents switch between their own residence and the family home where the child lives full time.

There are several reasons that parents would consider nesting as an option instead of making the kids go back and forth between two different homes. Nesting provides more stability for the children involved and can make it easier for the parents to have a clear separation of when they’re “on the clock,” so to speak.

What are the benefits of nesting?

Allowing the children to stay in the family home full time can give them a chance to better adjust to the other changes in their lives. Instead of the kids trying to adjust to two different homes and the divorce, they have more time in the comfort of home to process the separation of their parents.

There are several different ways to approach nesting. Some couple’s family home is big enough that each parent can have a side all to themselves. Other times, parents either have their own residence or stay with friends when they’re not scheduled to have visitation with their children. Nesting can work well with parents who are trying an equal 50-50 child custody approach.

What are the downsides of nesting?

One of the downsides of nesting is financial concerns. While the child is staying at the family home full time, the parents are still responsible for all the finances. It can become expensive to manage an apartment as well as a family home for the children. It can also cause an emotional and financial strain on the parents to constantly have to go back and forth, much like the stress that the child would feel going back and forth.

If you’re considering nesting, it’s important to communicate expectations clearly to your former spouse and get as much of it laid out in writing as you can. Think long and hard before deciding whether or not nesting is appropriate for your family.