Contact Us Today 951-715-4632

Cullen Family Law Group
  • Home
  • About
  • Attorneys
    • Heather M. Cullen, CFLS
    • Alexandria Jaquay, CFLS
    • Moonazza “Mona” Naqvi
    • Da Nikka Huss
  • Services
    • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Child Custody & Visitation
    • Child Support
    • Estate Planning In Divorce
    • Guardianship & Adoption
    • Legal Separation
    • Military Divorce
    • Property Division
    • Spousal Support
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Articles
  • Contact
Cullen Family Law Group
  • Home
  • Firm Overview
  • Attorney Profiles
    • Heather M. Cullen, CFLS
    • Alexandria Jaquay, CFLS
    • Moonazza “Mona” Naqvi
    • Da Nikka Huss
  • Practice Areas
    • Family Law
    • Divorce
    • Child Custody And Visitation
    • Child Support
    • Domestic Violence
    • Guardianship & Adoption
    • Legal Separation
    • Military Divorce
    • Property Division
    • Spousal Support
  • Client Recommendations
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Articles
    • Video Center
  • Contact
  • x Close
EMAIL

CALL

Fast. Fair. Thorough.

Bird-nest parenting may not be so cool after all

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Aug 31, 2017 | Child Custody |

Bird-nest parenting, also called “nesting,” has been the latest wave in co-parenting techniques for several years.

Essentially, it’s the thing all the cool divorced parents were trying: The kids stayed in the family home so that they experienced minimal disruption to their routine lives, while the parents rotated in and out of the house according to a schedule, like birds taking care of a nest of their young. Often, the parents also shared the expense of a small apartment somewhere else, each occupying it when it wasn’t their turn in the “nest” back home.

The problem, experts are finding out, is that kids aren’t birds and nesting is something that occurs in harmony among those feathered fellows after which the parenting scheme was modeled. It turns out that nesting doesn’t really shield human children from either the disruption of divorce nor the fact that their parents aren’t exactly getting along.

Instead, it may be teaching children exactly the wrong messages:

  • That they shouldn’t try to adapt (or can’t adapt) to change
  • That physical things matter more than the emotional attachments people have to each other
  • That grief over a loss is something to be avoided at all costs, instead of felt and processed as part of the natural order of life

These are not the best messages for kids to be picking up. Nesting teaches kids that their environment (their home, room and toys) are more important than emotional bonds, that emotional bonds with parents are fragile and can be broken if a parent leaves the home for good, that adapting to change is too hard to handle and grieving over the loss they feel isn’t something they should be doing (since everyone is clearly going out of their way to make them feel as if no loss has happened).

In addition, nesting brings about potential legal ramifications that can make the divorce much harder. It can impact a spouse’s ability to deduct alimony from his or her taxes, affect child support, affect whether or not the spouses can be legally considered separated and change what is legally considered marital and non-marital property.

Before you settle on any form of custody, talk over all of the potential ramifications with an attorney — and possibly a psychologist. You don’t want to create a legal quagmire for yourself or an emotional one for your child.

Source: www.heraldtribune.com, “Parenting: Nesting may not cushion kids from a divorce,” Fiona Tapp, Aug. 09, 2017

I’ve been served divorce papers that include false allegations: what do I do?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Jun 6, 2025 | Domestic Violence

Receiving divorce papers is already overwhelming. When false allegations are part of the paperwork, the situation can feel even more difficult. It’s essential to stay calm and know how to address the issue. Here’s what to do if you receive divorce papers containing...

Do domestic partnerships affect divorce rights?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 14, 2025 | Divorce

Domestic partnerships offer many of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, but they can complicate the divorce process. If you're ending a domestic partnership, your legal path may differ from that of a traditional divorce, especially in California....

Moore / Marsden calculations in California divorce

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 10, 2025 | Divorce

In California, Moore/Marsden calculations determine how to divide property when one spouse’s separate property has contributed to the acquisition or improvement of community property. These calculations ensure a fair division of property in divorce cases, particularly...

How can you document SP for asset protection?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Apr 3, 2025 | Family Law

When you're about to get married, it's important to think about how to protect your assets, including spousal support (SP) money. If you've received spousal support in the past or expect it during your marriage, you may worry about documenting its use—especially if...

What to expect during child support enforcement actions

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 23, 2025 | Child Support

Child support represents the financial contributions a non-custodial parent makes towards their child's upbringing. It ensures a parent meets the child's basic needs, such as food, housing, and education. It also supports a child's wellbeing, especially when parents...

Can you reimburse expenses before child support orders take effect?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 17, 2025 | Child Support

After a separation, managing child-related expenses can become a challenging task, especially before any official child support orders take effect. Many parents wonder if they can reimburse child expenses during this interim period. Understanding your rights and...

Do mothers have more rights than fathers in custody cases?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Mar 11, 2025 | Custody & Visitation

When it comes to custody cases, it is a common misconception that mothers have more rights than fathers. This often stems from historical trends and societal assumptions about parenting roles. Whether you are a mother concerned about maintaining your relationship with...

Why should you update your advanced directives during a divorce?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 28, 2025 | Divorce

Going through a divorce is challenging. One crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is updating your advanced directives. These legal documents play a vital role in ensuring others respect your wishes, even when you cannot speak for yourself. Protecting your...

Can you protect yourself and your children without a divorce?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 25, 2025 | Domestic Violence

Domestic violence creates a terrifying and dangerous situation. You may feel trapped, believing divorce is your only option for safety. The good news is that California law provides legal alternatives if your moral beliefs prevent you from getting a divorce. Let us...

What can California parents do if their child refuses to visit the other parent?

On Behalf of Cullen Family Law Group | Feb 14, 2025 | Child Custody

Dealing with a child who does not want to see their other parent can create stress for everyone involved. California courts expect parents to follow custody orders while being sensitive to their children's feelings. Parents can struggle to balance their legal...

« Older Entries

Recent Posts

  • I’ve been served divorce papers that include false allegations: what do I do?
  • Do domestic partnerships affect divorce rights?
  • Moore / Marsden calculations in California divorce
  • How can you document SP for asset protection?

Categories

  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Custody & Visitation
  • Divorce
  • Domestic Violence
  • Family Law
  • Firm News
  • Military Divorce
  • Property Division
  • Same – Sex Couples & Divorce

Archives

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Find Out How We Can Help You.

Call 951-715-4601, chat with us, or request a consultation below.

Riverside Office

4094 Chestnut Street
Riverside, CA 92501
951-715-4632

Fax: 951-715-4601

Riverside Office
Cullen Family Law Group

Temecula Office

28465 Old Town Front Street
Suite 321
Temecula, CA 92590
951-715-4632

Fax: 951-715-4601

Temecula Office
Review Us
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
Pay Invoice

We accept Visa, MC, Discover, AMEX & E-checks.

© 2025 Cullen Family Law Group • All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw