Divorce often hits minor children the hardest. They find their lives completely overturned, sometimes without warning, through no fault of their own, and they have no control over any of it.
Having to travel back and forth between two homes on top of everything can sap them physically and emotionally. They may feel transient and exhausted, and the moving can negatively impact their academic and extracurricular performance by interfering with their schedules. Nesting is a potential solution to these problems.
What is nesting?
Nesting is when the parents agree to take turns staying with their children in the family home. This provides the security of a familiar habitation and routine.
Is nesting right for every family?
Many considerations go into determining if nesting suits a family. Circumstances may make it difficult or impossible. It requires maintaining three residences instead of two, which can be a financial strain for some. It is also highly dependent on the parents’ ability to cooperate peacefully, which may not be possible when the divorce is contentious.
Depending on the age and maturity of the children, they may not need it as much. Older children may find adjustment more manageable without the arrangement than younger ones. On the other hand, maintaining it for older children may be easier since they will leave the house sooner. Career or remarriage concerns may also interfere, since both may require moving.
Divorce can lead to negative effects on children, affecting their grades and social lives, as well as their mental well-being. If the circumstances are right and the parents can manage it, nesting can potentially mitigate some of the impacts and ease the adjustment period.
