While the process of split custody may seem simple to a judge or even to stable, caring parents, it turns out that it may have a longer-lasting impact on children--starting as young as infancy. The first year of life is when children develop their attachment styles. The ability to develop secure attachments is something that develops at this stage, but carries on into the rest of the child's life. This development is "critical" to having secure and healthy relationships later in life. Studies are now showing that spending a night or two per week away from their primary caregiver can negatively affect children's attachment development. Resolving this issue is tricky, because in an ideal world the child would be able to securely attach to both caregivers. However, researchers say it is better for them to develop one secure attachment--that will therefore positively affect the rest of their relationships and attachments--than none at all. How can this be achieved? Experts are saying that if a child has to be split between two caregivers, they spend their time with the secondary one during the day several days a week. Then, as the child gets older and has developed his/her basic attachment style, the overnight stays can be added in slowly. The process will take a lot of focus on development by both parents, and keeping of the child's best interest in mind.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130719083611.htm
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