No matter how amicable your divorce is, the process is still difficult. The difficulties easily compound when you have children. Particularly if you and your ex-spouse are on general amicable terms, it is likely that you both want to conduct the divorce in a way that is as beneficial to your children as possible.
Assuming that you and your ex are on good terms, a great transition method to acclimate your children to divorce is “nesting.” According to NBC News, “nesting” is a short-term arrangement where the children stay in the same living arrangement while the parents rotate in and out.
What are the benefits?
If you use the family home as the base for “nesting,” nesting allows complete continuity for the children throughout the opening stages of divorce. They get to stay in the same house, the same building, go to the same schools, and eat off of the same dining room table. The only real difference is that only one parent is in the house at a time.
Generally, nesting parents have a separate residence for the parent who is “off duty.” It is common for this second residence to be a studio apartment.
What are the downsides?
Most experts do not recommend nesting for more than 3-6 months. This is because too long of a nesting period can confuse the children, who might believe that the extended period means that their parents will get back together. It can also be difficult for parents to “move on” while continuing to nest with their ex.
While nesting is not a permanent solution, it can be a good method for the beginning stages of divorce.