Separating After the Summer Holidays: Why Family Mediation Is the Best Solution

sarah-jane tasteyre
Aug 28
2 min read

Separation after the summer: a difficult decision made easier with family mediation

The end of the summer holidays is often a turning point. What was meant to be a time of rest and connection too often becomes the trigger for conflict. At the start of the school year, many couples ask themselves: should we continue despite the tensions, or is it time to separate?

This decision is even more tricky when children are involved. How do you tell them? How do you organize where and with whom they will live? how will they divide their time? Who should you turn to first: a lawyer, a psychologist, a divorce coach… or a family mediator?

Family mediation: a solution to move forward peacefully

Family mediation is a key step for couples who have decided to separate. It does not replace couples counselling, but it becomes essential once the decision to part ways is made or under consideration.

With the help of a family mediator, you can discuss all the practical aspects of separation, such as:

Where each parent will live, and how to organize the children’s residence.
School routines, transport, and extracurricular activities.
The division of weekends, holidays, and family events.
Financial arrangements and the management of children’s expenses.

A safe and neutral space

A family mediator is neither a judge nor a lawyer. His/her role is to provide a safe, neutral, and confidential space for communication. Each parent has the opportunity to be heard and to express their needs, reducing tension and helping to build balanced solutions — always in the children’s best interests, but also in yours.

Family Mediation alongside your lawyer

It is important to know that family mediation and legal advice work hand in hand.

Your lawyer advises you on your rights and obligations.
The mediator helps you have constructive discussions and reach practical agreements.

By combining both, you move forward more efficiently and with greater peace of mind.

Living abroad: the importance of your native language

Separation is even more challenging when you live abroad. Distance from family, cultural differences, and above all the language barrier, can increase stress and feelings of isolation.

In this context, being able to talk to a professional in your native language makes all the difference. It allows you to express emotions accurately, feel truly understood, and avoid misunderstandings with your ex-partner.

Taking the first step towards a respectful separation

Starting mediation means laying the foundations for a respectful and well-organised separation. It also protects your children by giving them a clear and reassuring framework.