California parents who are beginning the separation and divorce process know that one of the most complicated aspects of the situation is how to provide their children with stability during a time of great upheaval. One method that is generating interest is the concept of nesting.
Nesting is a co-parenting arrangement similar to shared custody, in that each parent spends an equal amount of time with the children. However, in the case of shared parenting, the kids find themselves moving from one home to the other, packing up and having to keep track of their belongings. For many children, this creates an unstable situation, and for the family overall, it can lead to complication.
Nesting changes this up and has the kids stay in the family home, while the parents are the ones who move in and out. This allows the kids to keep all their belongings in one place and to continue with the routines that they are used to, maintaining a level of stability during this process.
Nesting is not suitable for all families, since it does involve a level of commitment and cooperation from both parents that couples who are not in amicable situations might not be able to sustain. It is usually not court-mandated, but courts will approve it if the parents choose it as an option. It is also usually not a permanent solution. The time parents choose to use nesting depends on each family situation, but before nesting ends, there must be a permanent custody agreement set up. Couples who are getting a divorce may want to speak with their respective attorneys to see if this type of an arrangement would be suitable for them.