
Divorcing dads: why separation hits men hard - and how to help
Divorce can hit men hard – and many dads withdraw just when they need people most. For divorcing dads, that isolation isn't only painful – it can be dangerous.
In this episode, Kate was joined by Toby Hazlewood to discuss co-parenting and nesting arrangements post-separation and divorce.
In this episode, Kate was joined by Toby Hazlewood to discuss co-parenting and nesting arrangements post-separation and divorce.
About the episode:
Kate and Toby discussed his marriage and separation, how his parenting- arrangement evolved over time, with him and his wife having experimented with multiple co-parenting patterns before landing on ‘bird nesting’. They discussed the various criticisms levelled at this type of shared-care arrangement and also the potential advantages of nesting.
Please note: this episode was recorded before the introduction of no-fault divorce in England and Wales, and may mention the previous legal system. For accurate information on the legal process of divorce, please visit amicable.co.uk
About our guests:
Toby is a father, husband and writer living in the North-West of England. Through his writing, he shares his experiences of co-parenting and the lessons he’s learned, in the hope of helping others who are going through the same thing. Having divorced when his daughters were 7 and 4, Toby and his wife eventually opted for a nesting co-parenting arrangement until his children reached adulthood. You can find out more about Toby here.
More resources:
Get in touch with amicable for information on the legal, financial and children aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert through the amicable website.
Thanks for listening - here’s 3 months of the amicable co-parenting app for free! Open this link on your phone, install the app and create your account. Once that’s done, select 'I have a promo code' when setting up your family, enter PODCAST, press ‘apply’ and enjoy staying organised together.

Divorce can hit men hard – and many dads withdraw just when they need people most. For divorcing dads, that isolation isn't only painful – it can be dangerous.

Think of every picture book your child has ever loved. How many show a family going through separation? Almost none - so what does that silence tell a child whose reality looks very different?

Becoming a step-mum comes with almost none of the roadmaps, support or community that biological mums get. If you're finding it harder than you expected, this episode will help you understand why - and what you can actually do about it.