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The concept of nesting for child custody

On Behalf of | Feb 17, 2023 | Child Custody

When Indiana parents of young children decide to divorce, they will need to reach an agreement on a child custody plan. There are many options available, as each family will have particular needs. One of these options is nesting.

How is nesting different from other custody plans?

Most plans have children moving back and forth between their parents’ homes pursuant to a custody schedule. Nesting, however, has the parents moving instead of the children. When parents choose nesting, the children remain in the family home and the parents take turns being with the children. When a parent is off-duty with their children, they stay somewhere else, which can be another apartment shared by the parents for their off-duty time, a relative or friend’s place, or even their own lodging.

The benefits of nesting

The nesting arrangement has many benefits for both parents and children. These include:

  • Providing the children with a sense of stability and security
  • Helping the children adapt to the changing family dynamics in a familiar environment
  • Decreasing the tension between the parents through minimal direct contact
  • Allowing the parents to adjust to their single-parenting time
  • Creating space for the parents to reach a logical resolution to their issues, whether through reconciliation or divorce

The nesting agreement

At the heart of a successful nesting arrangement is the agreement. Before nesting is put in place, parents must negotiate what their nesting agreement will include. The nesting agreement usually includes the parenting plan including the child custody schedule, a budget for shared expenses, the methods of communication, and an emergency plan. It can also include provisions on how to approach the situation of a new significant other as well as the plan for when one or both parents decide to end the nesting arrangement.

Nesting can be adopted for a short period of time or for years. Everything will depend on the needs of your family and your goals for your children’s upbringing.