Learning how to co-parent after a divorce proves a substantial hurdle for many ex-couples. Of course, you want to do everything you can to make the situation as easy and beneficial as possible for your child.
One of the options you can look into goes by the title nesting, and it may provide you with more benefits than you would expect.
How does nesting work?
Divorce Mag discusses the benefits of nesting – also called bird nesting – as co-parents. This housing and co-parenting option takes its name from birds. The baby bird remains within the nest for the duration of its adolescence, up until it can fly and fend for itself. In the meantime, the parent birds will continue to visit the nest at intervals in order to check on their babies and keep them fed.
Bird nesting works the same in human households, too. The child will remain within the family home, and you and your co-parent will cycle in and out of it on a visitation schedule. This takes the place of the more traditional approach in which the child moves from one parent’s location to the other.
What are the benefits?
Studies show this provides the child with more stability, which proves crucial in giving them the base they need to process a divorce in a healthy way. It also gives you and your co-parent some familiarity in that you can continue spending time in the family home, even if you will need a place to stay during your “off” days when you live away from the property.
Though nesting does not work for everyone, it is still helpful and may benefit you.