Why ‘Birdnesting’ Has Become Popular for Divorcing Couples in Medford, NJ

‘Birdnesting’ has become a widely popular method for divorcing couples with children to keep their kids in a good spot in life. The main idea behind this type of nesting is for the parents to continue to live with the children in the family home, but under different circumstances. The parents rent an apartment or other type of residence. Then, the parent not with the children in the family home stays in the rental residence and vice versa. This allows the children to remain in their current school, stay with their friends, and not have to worry about moving somewhere new.

Emphasis on Amicable

If you are considering getting a divorce and have children in the marriage, you need to understand that this nesting method will only work if you are your spouse can have an amicable divorce. There cannot be much contention present. The slightest disagreement in this situation could turn into trouble for the children. You will still be seeing a lot of each other, especially since you will be rotating between two residences you share. There will be interactions and plenty of them. The emphasis here is on amicable. If there is any doubt, nesting will not be an option for your family.

Length of the Nesting Period in Mt. Laurel, NJ

Many parents considering the nesting method for their divorce wonder how long they should try it. For the most part, no longer than six months will do the trick, especially if the children are nearing the end of the school year. But, many experts think that three months is the absolute longest you should go when taking part in nesting. The three months should give the family plenty of time to get accustomed to the divorce and even begin the search for new living arrangements.

Perks and Downfalls of Nesting in Moorestown, New Jersey

Celeste Viciere is a mental health clinician. She has studied nesting and how it benefits children in social settings and in practical everyday settings. Viciere told NBC News BETTER the following:

“Having the children live in the same house that is familiar to them can be beneficial because it’s easier to stay in the same school and keep the same friend group. Often when kids have to bounce between different households, it tends to affect their social lives due to the location. Another upside to nesting is that kids don’t have to lug their belongings back and forth between two places. It allows the kids to come to terms with the divorce without being separated from the environment they have always known.”

Viciere also acknowledges that there are downfalls to nesting. One of the biggest is that nesting can confuse the child. The child will not be able to understand why the family as a whole can no longer make memories like in the past. Nesting could also cause the child to suffer from a false sense of reality, believing that there’s a chance the parents will get back together.

Contact a Moorestown Family Law Attorney for a Consultation About Divorce in New Jersey Today

If you are thinking about filing for divorce, or if you have already started the divorce process and are dealing with another matter such as child custody, child support, or division of assets, you need to speak with a qualified attorney. The NJ family law attorneys at Davis & Mendelson represent clients throughout the state, including Moorestown, Voorhees, Cherry Hill and Winslow Township, NJ. We understand how challenging this time can be for you, which is why we will fight hard to protect your interests, and the interests of your loved ones, throughout the legal process. Call us at 866-560-9512 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a consultation. We have an office conveniently located at 1200 Laurel Oak Road Suite 101 Voorhees, NJ 08043.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.