Divorce introduces upheaval into children’s lives and can affect their emotional and mental well-being. They may experience many confusing feelings, including insecurity, as they deal with the changes in their life.
It is not possible to fully insulate children from the effects of their parents splitting. However, nesting offers a way to help ease the transition into this new stage of their lives.
What is nesting?
Nesting is when divorced parents take turns living with their children in the family home. The focus is on providing a stable and familiar home environment for the children. This arrangement aims to minimize disruption to the children’s routines and foster a sense of continuity during a challenging time.
What are the considerations around nesting?
While nesting can help children feel less displaced, it may not be right for every family. There are many factors to consider. One is the financial aspect. Parents nesting have to maintain three separate residences, one for each one to stay in when not in the family home and the family home itself. Another consideration is the age of the children. Older children may not benefit as much as younger children and may be close to moving out. Long-term plans are also a concern. Moving, job changes and new significant others are all factors that may end nesting arrangements.
Bowling Green State University states that in 2018, 40% of recently divorced individuals claimed to have at least one underage child. Besides the loss of their family as they know it, children face constant travel back and forth and the time, disruptions and exhaustion that come with it after a divorce. They may feel a lack of security as if they do not truly belong anywhere anymore. Nesting can help alleviate some of the negative feelings they may feel, but it may not suit every family.