Q: My ex and I constantly argue about our parenting styles. I’m structured; he’s loose. I worry that the differences confuse our kids. He thinks I’m too strict. I think he’s too laid back. What is good ex-etiquette?

A: I bet you had similar disagreements when you lived together. One of you gave in or you compromised because the relationship was at stake and you didn’t want to fight. Now that you have broken up, you don’t have the incentive to compromise. That’s because you are approaching your disagreements as exes and not co-parents.

All agreements, whether the parties are at odds or friendly, have something in common: a mutual interest. That mutual interest is not dependent on how well the parties get along. Business rivals can be just that -- rivals -- but if there is a merger of the

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