While some parents are facing the heartbreak of empty bedrooms this summer, you might be facing the exact opposite challenge: a house that is very full, a calendar that is completely chaotic, and a feeling of sheer exhaustion, particularly if you have divorced or separated and have most of the responsibility for the children.

If you are the parent who has the children for the majority of the school holidays, you already know the dread that comes with the countdown to the end of term.

How do you keep up with your job when the kids need three meals a day, constant entertainment, and supervision? How do you pay for extra summer clubs on a single income? And how do you handle all of this when your ex-partner isn’t stepping in to help as much as they should?

Balancing work and childcare during the school holidays is one of the heaviest loads a separated parent can carry. But you do not have to carry it all on your own.

During the school term, the school day provides a reliable, free structure that allows you to work. When the holidays hit, that structure vanishes.

For many resident parents in Kent, this brings a wave of intense pressure:

• Financial strain: The cost of holiday clubs and childminders in Kent can be astronomical, especially when you are managing a household on one income.
• Workplace guilt: Trying to work from home with children in the background—or constantly asking for time off—leaves many parents feeling like they are failing at both their job and their parenting.
• Resentment towards your ex: It is incredibly difficult not to feel bitter if your ex-partner is enjoying their usual routine while you are drowning in logistics, especially if they are refusing to take the children on their scheduled days.

When communication has broken down, asking your ex to take the children more often or help cover the cost of holiday clubs can feel like stepping into a minefield.

How Family Mediation Can Take the Pressure Off

This is where Kent Family Mediation can be a lifeline. You don’t have to wait for a crisis or a formal court date to get help. Mediation is a constructive, cooperative process designed to resolve practical parenting disputes quickly.

At Kent Family Mediation Service, we can help you and your ex-partner sit down (virtually, from the comfort of your own home) to create a fair, workable plan for the holidays.

1. Agreeing a Fair Share of Care

We help you map out the holiday weeks together. Often, a non-resident parent wants to see their children more but doesn’t realise how much you are struggling to cope. We facilitate a structured conversation to adjust child arrangements after separation so that the holiday childcare burden is shared more equally.

2. Solving the Financial Equation

Who pays for summer camp or other activities? Who covers the cost of the childminder while you are at work? We can help you negotiate how these extra holiday expenses are split, preventing money from becoming a constant source of argument.

3. Setting Clear, Reliable Boundaries

There is nothing worse than planning your work week only for your ex to cancel their contact day at the last minute. We help you draft a parenting agreement with clear expectations, backup plans, and notice periods, giving you the predictability you need to keep your job.

Financial Support to Ease the Load

We understand that finances are tight, which is why we want to make sure you know about the support available to make mediation accessible:

• The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: You may be eligible for a £500 government voucher to cover the costs of mediation sessions regarding child arrangements. This is not means-tested.

• Legal Aid: If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, you could get your mediation entirely for free. You can check your eligibility for Legal Aid on the GOV.UK website.

Useful Resources for Working Parents in Kent

Taking care of your family means taking care of yourself, too. Here are some excellent local and national organizations that can help you navigate the practicalities of working and parenting:

• Kent Family Mediation Service: Ready to find a better balance? Make a referral or enquire online to speak with our local team.

• Kent County Council Childcare Finder: Find registered holiday clubs, childminders, and activities in your local area via the KCC Childcare Directory

• Gingerbread: A fantastic charity offering specific advice for single parents on managing work, claiming childcare costs, and negotiating with an ex. Explore the Gingerbread website.

• Coram Family and Childcare: Provides brilliant guides on help with childcare costs and your rights as a working parent. Visit the Coram Family and Childcare website.

Let’s Find a Balance That Works for You

You don’t have to spend the school holidays in a state of constant burnout and stress. Sharing the childcare load is better for you, better for your career, and ultimately, much better for your children, who get to build strong relationships with both parents.

Get in touch with Kent Family Mediation Service today to find out how we can help you bring some balance back to your family life.

Start the process and make a referral through our website at https://kentfms.co.uk/make-a-referral/make-a-mediation-referral/ or phone us on  01795 410457 to book a separate mediation information meeting or MIAM.

How Kent Family Mediation Can Help

The arrival of the school holidays is usually met with excitement. Shop windows are filled with summer toys, social media lights up with pictures of family day trips, and the local parks in Kent are bustling with children enjoying their break.

But if you are a separated parent and you don’t have contact with your children during the holidays, this time of year can feel incredibly lonely, painful, and overwhelming.

Walking past empty bedrooms or listening to the silence in your home when you know your kids are supposed to be off school is a unique kind of heartache. You might feel a mix of sadness, resentment, and anxiety about missing out on making memories.

If this is what you are going through right now, please know you are not alone, and there is a practical, supportive way forward.

During the school term, a routine or a court order might keep things running smoothly. But the holidays disrupt that structure. Suddenly, there are weeks of unstructured time to fill, holidays abroad to think about, and childcare costs to manage.

It’s completely natural for disputes over child arrangements after separation to peak ahead of summer, Christmas, or half-term breaks. The most common issues we see include:

• Communication breakdowns: Parents struggling to agree on how to split the holiday weeks fairly.
• Last-minute changes: One parent altering dates or booking holidays without consulting the other.
• Withheld contact: One parent refusing to let the children visit, often due to unresolved tension or financial disputes.

When you are the parent left behind, it can feel like you have no control. Fortunately, you don’t have to resort to stressful, expensive legal battles to get things sorted.

How Family Mediation Can Help You Reach an Agreement

If you are struggling with not seeing your children over the school holidays, family mediation offers a calmer, faster, and much cheaper alternative to going to court.

At Kent Family Mediation Service, we provide a safe, neutral space—usually online via video call—where you and your ex-partner can talk through these issues with the help of a professionally trained, impartial mediator.

Here is how the mediation process helps:

1. It Puts the Children First

We focus entirely on what is best for your children. Kids need a balanced, happy relationship with both parents. We help you design a school holiday contact agreement that gives them quality time with both of you, minimising the stress they feel.

2. You Stay in Control

Unlike a court room where a judge who doesn’t know your family makes the final decision, mediation keeps the decision-making in your hands. You and your ex-partner decide what works best for your family’s unique schedule.

3. Creating Future-Proof Agreements

We don’t just help you fix this holiday; we help you plan for the next one. We can help you draft a parenting plan that covers future school holidays, bank holidays, and birthdays, so you don’t have to face this anxiety every time the term ends.

What Financial Help is Available?

Many parents worry about the cost of professional support. However, family mediation is highly cost-effective compared to court fees and solicitors.

• Legal Aid: If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for free mediation. You can check if you can get Legal Aid on the GOV.UK website.
• The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: The government currently offers a £500 voucher scheme to help separating families resolve child arrangements through mediation. This scheme is not means-tested, meaning anyone disputing child contact can apply.

Finding Support in Kent

While you are working on a long-term solution, looking after your own mental health is crucial. Here are some trusted organisations and resources that can provide support, advice, and a listening ear:

• Kent Family Mediation Service: You can learn more about how we work and make a referral online.
• Supporting Separated Families Alliance (SSFA) Kent: Discover local directories, parenting courses, and support services across Kent on the SSFA Kent website.
• CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service): They offer free resources for parents navigating separation. You can find their parenting plan templates and advice on the CAFCASS website.
• Gingerbread: The leading national charity for single-parent families, offering advice, forums, and a free helpline. Visit the Gingerbread website for practical tips on co-parenting.

Take the First Step Today

You don’t have to spend another holiday feeling isolated or locked in conflict. The sooner you start the mediation process, the sooner you can secure a stable, happy routine for your children.

Get in touch with Kent Family Mediation Service today to discuss how we can help you build a brighter, more cooperative future.

Start the process and make a referral through our website at https://kentfms.co.uk/make-a-referral/make-a-mediation-referral/ or phone us on  01795 410457 to book a separate mediation information meeting or MIAM.

How does the family mediation process work for unmarried separating couples, including property and child arrangements?

When an unmarried couple separates in the UK, they face a unique set of challenges. Because English family law treats unmarried couples very differently from married ones, relying on the court system can be incredibly rigid, expensive, and unpredictable.

Family mediation offers a practical alternative. It allows you to design a bespoke separation plan tailored to your family’s actual needs, rather than trying to fit into outdated legal boxes.

Step 1: The MIAM (Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting)

Before joint mediation can start, you and your ex-partner will each attend a separate, private introductory meeting called a MIAM.

During this meeting which can last up to an hour, an accredited mediator will:

• Assess whether mediation is safe and suitable for your specific situation.
• Explain the process, costs, and timeframes.
• Determine if you are eligible for legal funding or government support.

Note: If you eventually want to go to court over property or children, the law requires you to have attended a MIAM first (with a few exceptions, such as domestic abuse). The mediator signs the court form to confirm you explored alternative paths.

Step 2: Sorting Out Child Arrangements

Because unmarried parents do not have the automatic financial framework of divorce, keeping things amicable is vital for the children involved. Mediation focuses heavily on co-parenting and the best interests of the child.

What you can discuss:

• Living Arrangements: Where the children will live, and a structured schedule for when they spend time with each parent (including school holidays, birthdays, and Christmas).
• Parental Responsibility: If the father is on the birth certificate (for births registered in England/Wales after 1 December 2003), both parents share Parental Responsibility. Mediation helps you agree on major life choices like schooling, relocation, and healthcare.
• Child Maintenance: You can map out day-to-day costs, school uniforms, and extracurricular activities. Mediators often use the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) guidelines as a starting benchmark to help you find a figure that works for both households.

Child-Inclusive Mediation

If your children are of an appropriate age (usually 10 or older), a specially trained mediator can speak with them privately. This isn’t about making the children choose sides; it simply gives them a safe space to share their feelings and wishes, which can then be fed back into your negotiations to inform your decisions.

Step 3: Resolving Property and Financial Disputes

This is where being unmarried gets legally complex. Married couples divide assets based on “fairness” and “need.” For unmarried couples, property disputes are governed strictly by property and trust law under TOLATA (Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996).

TOLATA looks strictly at legal ownership, deeds, and precise financial contributions, which can often lead to harsh and unfair results in court. Mediation allows you to bypass this rigidity.

The Financial Disclosure Process

To resolve property disputes fairly, you must both complete a full financial disclosure. You will bring evidence to the table, including:

• Property deeds and mortgage statements.
• Valuations of the family home.
• Bank statements showing who paid the mortgage, utility bills, or major renovations.
• Details of joint bank accounts, debts, or shared savings.

Exploring the Options

Once the financial picture is clear, the mediator will help you look at practical solutions:

• Will one party buy the other out? Can they secure a mortgage in their sole name?
• Will the property be sold? If so, how will the equity be split based on your contributions and future housing needs?
• Can a sale be deferred? Can one parent stay in the property with the children until they finish school?

The Mediation Formats Available

Every couple has a different dynamic. Your sessions (usually between 3 and 5 meetings lasting 90 minutes each) can be structured to make you feel as comfortable as possible:

• Face-to-Face / Joint Online: You, your ex-partner, and the mediator sit in the same physical room or virtual video call.
• Shuttle Mediation: If tensions are high, you can sit in separate rooms (or separate virtual breakout spaces). The mediator goes back and forth between each of you to communicate your proposals.
• Hybrid Mediation: For highly complex property disputes, you can choose a hybrid model where you bring your respective solicitors directly into the mediation sessions to give real-time legal advice.
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Step 4: Making Your Agreements Binding

The mediator is an independent, neutral facilitator; they can’t give you legal advice or impose a ruling.

• The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): Once you reach an agreement, the mediator writes it down in a detailed document called an MoU, along with an Open Financial Statement summarising your assets.

• Making it Legally Binding: At this stage, the MoU is not yet legally enforceable. You can then take this document to your respective solicitor to turn into a legally binding agreement.

Costs and Financial Support

Mediation is substantially cheaper than standard court litigation, which can easily climb into tens of thousands of pounds per person.

• The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: If your dispute involves arrangements for children, you could be eligible for a non-means-tested government voucher providing up to £500 towards your joint mediation costs.
• Legal Aid: If you are on a low income or receiving certain benefits, you may qualify for Legal Aid, which covers the cost of your MIAM and subsequent mediation sessions entirely.

Start the process of mediation and make a referral through our website at https://kentfms.co.uk/make-a-referral/make-a-mediation-referral/ or phone us on  01795 410457 to book a separate mediation information meeting or MIAM.

All of our mediators are accredited by the Family Mediation Council

What New Government Proposals Mean for Unmarried Couples in Kent

If you are living with your partner but aren’t married or in a civil partnership, you might be surprised by how little legal protection you actually have if things go wrong.

There is a widespread myth in the UK about the “common law marriage”—the belief that if you live together for a few years, or have children together, you automatically share the same legal rights as a married couple.

In reality, under current English law, common law marriage does not exist. If an unmarried couple separates, one partner can easily end up walking away with almost everything, leaving the other economically vulnerable—especially if they took time out of work to raise children.

However, the tide is finally turning. The government has just launched a landmark consultation titled ‘A fairer end to relationships’. This could completely reshape the future for cohabiting couples across Kent and the rest of the UK.

Here is what you need to know about these proposed changes and how they might affect you.

What is Changing?

The government’s new “Family Test” consultation is explicitly designed to look at how policies impact families of all types, with a sharp focus on protecting children. The Ministry of Justice is currently seeking views on major reforms across three specific areas:

1. New Protections for Cohabitants on Separation

This is the big one for unmarried couples. The government wants to introduce a brand-new statutory framework of rights and protections specifically for eligible cohabitants who split up.

The goal is to protect the “economically vulnerable” partner—for instance, a parent whose earning capacity was reduced because they stayed home to care for the kids. While these rights will still remain narrower and distinct from a full divorce, they will provide a much needed safety net.

2. Fairer Inheritance Rights if a Partner Passes Away

Currently, if your unmarried partner dies without a will, you do not automatically inherit their estate, no matter how long you lived together.

The new proposals aim to strengthen inheritance provisions for cohabitants, creating clearer, more automatic routes to financial support while still balancing the rights of other family beneficiaries.

3. Clearer Rules for Divorce and Nuptial Agreements

For those who are married, the current law regarding financial settlements on divorce can be incredibly unpredictable and inconsistent. The government hopes to codify (write into strict law) certain elements to make outcomes easier to predict. This includes creating clearer rules around pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, helping couples negotiate fair settlements out of court.

The ultimate aim of these reforms is to support couples in negotiating fair settlements themselves, reducing bitter disputes and keeping families out of the stressful, expensive court system.

Why This Matters to You Right Now

If you are currently going through a separation or thinking about your future as an unmarried couple in Kent, these proposals highlight just how complicated the legal landscape is right now.

Until these proposals become law, unmarried couples separating today must still navigate the old, rigid system. Property disputes are handled under strict, complex trust laws rather than family law, which means fairness isn’t always the priority.

This is exactly why family mediation is so vital. You do not have to wait for the law to change to get a fair deal.

Through mediation, you and your ex-partner can sit down with a neutral professional to work out a bespoke arrangement that genuinely protects both of you and your children. It allows you to create your own “fairer deal” based on your family’s actual needs, rather than relying on outdated legal loopholes.

Have Your Say,  The Consultation is Open

This is a genuine opportunity to shape the future of family law in the UK. The consultation is open to every member of the public—whether you are a legal professional, a separating parent, or simply living with your partner.

• Read the full document: You can review the proposal details on the Gov.uk Consultation Page.

• Submit your views: You can complete the official online survey directly at the Ministry of Justice Consultation Portal.

The consultation closes on 14th August 2026. Don’t miss the chance to share your perspective on making relationship endings fairer for everyone.

Need help with your separation?

If you are an unmarried couple separating in Kent and want to achieve a fair, amicable agreement without the stress and cost of court, we can help.

Contact Kent Family Mediation Service today at https://kentfms.co.uk/make-a-referral/make-a-mediation-referral/ or phone us on  01795 410457 to book a separate mediation information meeting or MIAM.

When a relationship breaks down, the noise of separation can be overwhelming. As parents, you are trying to deal with massive life changes, untangle finances, and figure out the best path forward. Amidst the stress, it is easy to worry about how your children are truly coping.

You want to protect them from adult conflict, but you also want to ensure their feelings aren’t lost in the shuffle. That is where Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM) comes in.

At Kent Family Mediation Service, we offer CIM as a gentle, structured way to bring your child’s voice into the decision-making process, without forcing them to choose sides.

What Exactly is Child Inclusive Mediation?

Child Inclusive Mediation is a specialised process where a professionally trained, DBS-checked mediator invites children (usually aged 10 or older, depending on maturity) to have a private, confidential discussion.

It is often called a “listening meeting.” It is absolutely not about asking children to make tough choices or take on parental responsibilities. Instead, it provides a safe, neutral space outside of the home for them to express their thoughts, worries, and hopes about the future.

CIM is entirely voluntary. It only happens if both parents agree, and—most importantly, if the child wants to participate.

Most importantly, it is confidential, we only report back what the child wants us to say, unless of course there are safeguarding concerns.

What Do Children Worry About?

While parents are often focused on the big picture, like properties or legal structures, children frequently worry about the day-to-day details of their changing world.

During these sessions, children often raise questions that parents hadn’t even thought of:

• “Will I still be able to go to my football club on Saturdays?”
• “Where will the family dog live?”
• “How often will I get to see my grandparents?”
• “Will I have to move schools and leave my friends?”

Hearing these specific worries allows parents to build a practical parenting plan that addresses what actually matters to the children.

How the Process Works

We take immense care when involving young people in mediation.

Here is the typical journey:

• First, you and your ex-partner meet with the mediator to discuss whether CIM is appropriate for your family’s circumstances.
• If agreed, the child is invited to a confidential meeting.
• The mediator meets with the child. This meeting is completely confidential. The child decides exactly what they are comfortable sharing with you.
• The mediator meets back up with the parents to share the child’s agreed points.

The Benefits:

Research consistently shows that children benefit immensely from being consulted. It reassures them that their feelings matter and that they are being taken seriously.

For parents, hearing this feedback can be a powerful turning point. It often cuts through the adversarial tension and realigns both parents around a shared goal: the happiness and stability of their children.

Many families find that once they understand their child’s true perspective, reaching an amicable, lasting agreement becomes much easier, saving months of stressful, expensive court battles.

Funding Support Available

We believe family mediation should be accessible. If you are exploring child arrangements, you may be eligible for the Ministry of Justice £500 Mediation Voucher Scheme, which can help cover the costs of your sessions.

For those on lower incomes, Legal Aid funding may also be available.

If you are separating and want to ensure your children’s voices are safely heard, get in touch with our team at Kent Family Mediation Service today to discuss how we can support your family.

If you would like to find out if you qualify for Legal Aid, or if you want to learn more about how Child Inclusive Mediation can support your family, please reach out to us today.

Start the process and make a referral through our website at https://kentfms.co.uk/make-a-referral/make-a-mediation-referral/ or phone us on  01795 410457 to book a separate  mediation information meeting or MIAM.

Families going through a separation or divorce often face an overwhelming amount of stress, particularly when trying to figure out what the future looks like for their children.

It is completely natural to want to shield your children from the details of the breakup. However, research consistently shows that children cope much better with family changes when they feel their voices are heard.

This is where Child Inclusive Mediation can make a profound difference.

What is Child Inclusive Mediation?

Child Inclusive Mediation is a specialist process where a specially trained mediator that is accredited through the Family Mediation Council, talks directly with your child, giving them a private and safe space to share their thoughts, feelings, and wishes about the future.

It is important to understand that this is not about asking your child to choose between parents or make adult decisions. Instead, it offers them a chance to express what is important to them, such as how they feel about school, weekends, or staying in touch with extended family.

How Does the Process Work?

The process only happens if both parents agree, and if the child wants to participate. No child is ever forced to take part.

The mediator meets with the child individually. This conversation is completely confidential, meaning the mediator will not share anything the child says unless the child explicitly gives permission. Afterwards, the mediator meets back up with the parents to feed back the child’s wishes, helping the adults to make co-parenting decisions with their child’s perspective clearly in mind.

Accessing the Service in Kent

Finances should never be a barrier to doing what is best for your family. At Kent Family Mediation, we offer Legally Aided funded mediation services to those who qualify.

If you are eligible for Legal Aid, the entire mediation process, including the individual sessions with your child, could be completely free of charge.

Even if only one parent qualifies for legal aid, the cost of the initial assessment and the first joint mediation session is covered for both parties.

In addition, if you are in mediation and not eligible, discussing children, we can apply for a voucher of £500 to go towards the cost of your mediation, which means that you can have three free sessions.

By choosing this path, you can reduce conflict, avoid the high costs of family court, and ensure your children remain at the very heart of every decision you make.

If you live in Kent and would like to find out if you qualify for Legal Aid, or if you want to learn more about how Child Inclusive Mediation can support your family, please reach out to our team today.

Start the process and make a referral through our website at https://kentfms.co.uk/make-a-referral/make-a-mediation-referral/ or phone us on  01795 410457 to book a separate mediation information meeting or MIAM.

If a disagreement over summer holidays or child arrangements bubbles over, rushing to court isn’t a quick fix.

Don’t let a breakdown in communication ruin your family’s summer. If you are struggling to agree on holiday schedules, travel permissions, or general child arrangements, we can help you sort it out calmly and constructively.

Our accredited mediators operate online across Maidstone, Canterbury, Ashford, Sittingbourne and all across Kent, helping you build a fair agreement without the stress or delay of court.

Start the process and make a referral through our website at:

https://kentfms.co.uk/make-a-referral/make-a-mediation-referral/

or phone us on  01795 410457 and book a separate mediation information meeting or MIAM.

Read our top co-parenting tips for hot weather and learn how our mediators at Kent Family Mediation Service can help you resolve holiday disputes quickly.

When a heatwave hits, everyone heads outdoors to enjoy the sunshine. But for separated parents, hot weather, school holidays, and sudden changes in routine can quickly cause friction.

Whether it is arguing over who gets the kids on the sunniest weekend, packing the right supplies for a beach trip to Margate, or managing last-minute schedule changes, summer can test even the best co-parenting relationships.

At Kent Family Mediation Service, we know that keeping things cool between parents is the best way to ensure the kids enjoy their summer. Here are four practical tips for smooth co-parenting when the temperature rises.

1. Be Flexible

When the weather is beautiful, you might want to take the children for a spontaneous evening barbecue or a trip to the Kent coast. If it falls on your ex-partner’s day, don’t just demand a change.

Approach them with an offer to swap time. For example: “Since it’s set to be 28°C on Wednesday, could I take the kids to the beach after school, and you take them for an extra evening next week?” Healthy communication keeps the focus entirely on making fun memories for the children.

2. Share the Summer Essentials

There is nothing worse than picking up your children for a weekend heatwave only to find they have no sunhats, loose clothing, or preferred sun cream.

• Create a summer checklist: Ensure basic sun safety gear travels between houses.

• Double up on the basics: If communication is difficult, buy a duplicate set of sun cream and water bottles so you aren’t reliant on what comes in the packing bag.

3. Agree on the “Big Stuff” Early

Hot weather usually means water activities—paddling pools, trips to the local leisure centre, or swimming in the sea. If you have safety concerns or rules about what your children are allowed to do, talk to your co-parent beforehand. Agreeing on basic boundaries (like supervision rules around water) prevents anxiety and arguments later.

Start the process of mediation and make a referral through our website at https://kentfms.co.uk/make-a-referral/make-a-mediation-referral/ or phone us on  01795 410457 to book a separate mediation information meeting or MIAM.

For a lot of dads, it’s a day of breakfast in bed, homemade cards with far too much glitter, or a game of football with the kids; but for you, it might just be the quietest day of the year.

If you aren’t seeing your children this Sunday, you already know how heavy that silence feels. There won’t be any messy hugs or unwrapping a pair of novelty socks. Instead, there is just an empty space where they should be, and a knot in your stomach that is hard to shift.

When you’re going through a separation, calendar dates like this become minefields. It is incredibly easy to spiral into anger, resentment, or a deep sense of unfairness. You look at social media, see everyone else’s picture-perfect family photos, and feel a sting of isolation.

But sitting in that bitterness won’t change the calendar, and it won’t help your kids.

Changing How You Look at the Day

If you are dreading this weekend, try to give yourself some grace and keep a few things in mind:

• The date is just a number: Father’s Day is a commercial event. Your relationship with your kids is built on the other 364 days of the year. You do not need a specific Sunday in June to be their dad.

• Keep them out of the middle: Kids pick up on tension. If they feel guilty for not seeing you, or if they hear conflict between you and their mum, they are the ones who suffer. Protecting them from the adult stress is the biggest gift you can give them this weekend.

• Create a ‘Substitute Father’s Day’: If you can’t see them on the day, plan your own celebration the next time you have them. Double the pancakes, choose a film to watch together, and make it your own special tradition. They won’t care about the date on the calendar; they will just care that they are with you.

Finding a Way Forward

The hardest part of all this is communication. When things break down with an ex-partner, talking directly can feel impossible. Every text message can turn into an argument, and the only people losing out are the children.

If this Sunday is painful, use it as a turning point to think about how you want the future to look. You don’t have to keep repeating the same arguments.

That is where mediation comes in.

Mediation isn’t a legal battleground, and it isn’t about scoring points. Working with a mediator at Kent Family Mediation Service gives you and your ex a neutral space to actually talk about the practicalities—like how you handle holidays, birthdays, and days like this weekend.

It won’t solve everything overnight, and it won’t change the reality of this coming Sunday. But it can start to take the conflict out of the equation, helping you both focus on co-parenting.

So, if you’re waking up to a quiet house this Sunday, take a breath. Go for a walk, see family, or just give yourself a break. Being a great dad isn’t about winning a specific date on the calendar; it’s about doing the hard, quiet work to ensure your children grow up knowing they are loved by both of you.

If you are struggling with contact arrangements or communication after a split, you don’t have to sort it out alone.

Get in touch with us at Kent Family Mediation Service and book a separate MIAM to find out how professional, impartial support can help you put your children first.

If you are eligible for Legal Aid your mediation will be free. We can also apply for a non-means tested voucher of £500 for you if you aren’t eligible.

Parenting a teenager or tween is hard work at the best of times. But the government’s plan to block under-16s from apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat by next spring has left a lot of us wondering how on earth we’re going to manage the fallout at home.

It’s going to be a massive shake-up for families all over Kent.

If you’re currently separating or divorcing, this new law adds a whole extra layer of stress. When your kids are splitting their time between two different houses, making sure everyone sticks to the same digital rules requires some serious teamwork. Without a plan, a law that’s meant to protect your kids can easily turn into a massive new argument between you and your ex.

That is where family mediation can make life a lot easier. It gives you a calm, neutral space to sit down and figure out a joint game plan, so your kids get the same message whether they’re at Mum’s or Dad’s.

Why the New Rules Mean You Need to Be on the Same Page

When kids move back and forth between two homes, they really need consistency. With the new restrictions coming in, the main social media apps will be off the table, but the actual day-to-day policing is still going to fall on us as parents.

Imagine if one house strictly locks down all the devices while the other house lets things slide or looks the other way when the kids use VPNs to get around the blocks. It’s a recipe for disaster. The kids will quickly figure out which house is the “fun” one, which breeds resentment and leaves everyone feeling frustrated.

Using mediation lets you get ahead of the problem. Instead of waiting for a row to kick off, you can use a session to chat through the practical stuff and agree on some house rules that work for both of you.

Things to chat about in mediation:

• What happens to screen time? Once the apps are gone, what are they doing instead? Agreeing on general screen limits and bedtime curfews keeps things fair.

• What about gaming? The ban isn’t just about Instagram; it’s also tightening up rules on gaming platforms like Roblox or Discord where strangers can chat. You’ll want to agree on what safety settings to turn on.

• Managing the tech: The new laws will mean using digital IDs or age checks to get online. Working out who handles the tech setups and passwords stops mix-ups down the line.

What If You Just Can’t Agree?

It is completely normal if you and your ex see things totally differently right now, maybe one of you thinks the ban is a great safety move, while the other feels it’s an unnecessary restriction on your teenager’s social life. If you are struggling to find a middle ground, don’t panic or give up. A mediator’s job isn’t to force one of you to give in; it’s about helping you look past the disagreement and focus on a compromise that keeps things fair for the kids. Even if you can’t agree on every tiny detail, we can help you work out a baseline level of safety and consistency that you are both comfortable with, stopping the tech debate from blowing up into a full-blown family conflict.

Teamwork Makes It Easier

Getting a teenager to log off is tough even when parents are living together. When you’ve split up, having that conversation can feel completely overwhelming.

Mediation takes the pressure off. A trained, independent mediator isn’t there to judge you or take sides. They just help you look forward and focus on what’s best for the kids, helping you put together a sensible co-parenting agreement that actually works in real life.

When your kids see that you’re both backing each other up on the big stuff, it makes them feel much more secure. It shows them that even though things have changed, you’re still a team when it comes to looking after them.

Chat to Kent Family Mediation Service

The digital world changes fast and keeping up with it means adapting as you go. If you’re separating and find yourself constantly bickering over phones, tech, or house rules, going to court won’t help—a judge isn’t going to come round and sort out your Wi-Fi settings. Mediation gives you the control to find your own answers.

At Kent Family Mediation Service, we help local parents find common ground without the stress and expense of a legal battle. Booking an initial MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is a brilliant, low-stress way to see how we can help you get things sorted.

Want to get a shared plan in place? Drop our friendly Kent team a line today to book a chat and see how we can support you