Single Parenting

Dear Suze, my ex is constantly interfering with my parenting even though we’ve been divorced for years. He gets mad when I don’t return his calls/emails fast enough or agree with his decisions. I try to be cooperative to keep him calm but I really don’t want or need his involvement. Single and Thriving 

Dear S. and T. Single parenting means you are both mother and father to your kids. You don’t have to ask or listen to your ex ever again. You don’t even need to tell him the truth (except about the children)! Offer to use one of the many parenting apps like OurFamilyWizard or TalkingParents that allows you to calendar events and message each other (often ordered by divorce courts). Write him that you’ve decided to “parallel parenting” (look up the details in any internet search), and DON’T respond to him unless it’s something urgent about the children. Odds are he’ll test your patience, limits, and boundaries, so don’t take this independent stance if you’re not ready to enforce it. -S.Q.