“Nesting” Issues in Divorce Mediation

February 2020 Post 2 (Nesting)
Nesting is a concept that some couples adopt temporarily or even permanently. In nesting the kids stay put, while the parents move or at least change parenting responsibilities. In the one home model of nesting. Parents may live mainly in different sections of the house (usually off limits to the other parent) while the kids are allowed anywhere. A split-level house with different entrances and different bathrooms or even two kitchens is ideal for nesting.
Advantages are the kids don’t move and it is cheaper. Disadvantages are common spaces and different levels of neatness and cleanliness that affect the other parent. House Rules can be a problem.
Another type of nesting involves 2 homes A smaller (perhaps 1-2 bedrooms) place is where the off-duty parent lives, while the on-duty parent lives with the kids in the larger place. This is better for not running into the other parent but it is more expensive and there are still may be neatness and cleanliness issues with the smaller place, especially if the parents use one bedroom at different times. The most expensive type of nesting is the three-home model where each have their separate home and kids have a larger home. A cheaper version of nesting can take place if the off-duty parent “couch surfs” with friends.