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hvparent.com n Hudson Valley Parent 15 • A happy, safe and caring environment encouraging a child's physical, creative, and intellectual growth • Serving children of all abilities • Early and after care hours available Kathy Masloski, Director 845-883-5151 40 Park Lane, Highland, NY 12528 845-293-5600 228 Ward Street, Montgomery, NY 12549 LearningTogetherInc.com AN INTEGRATED PRESCHOOL PROGRAM Learning Together, where children explore the world the way they learn best, through play! Singing lessons for all ages - preschoolers through teens ameliaseyssel.com " seyssel.studio@gmail.com (845) 462-6209 A Suzuki Method curriculum. and differing parental philosophies from her former partner. "My ex and I eventually found our footing with a lot of compromise," says Smyth, adding, "My ex and I will decide together that 'you buy this, I'll get that'." Regarding differences in parenting philosophies, Smyth has also learned to compromise, but in many cases, she does so on her own time. "Though I disagree with my ex-husband's idea of food for our son," she says, "I try to balance it out and get him to exercise more when he is with me." Julie Ciardi of Poughkeepsie, current host of the 'More Than Mommy' podcast (of which 'co-parenting after divorce' is a frequent topic), points out that some struggles can still occur well after a divorce has taken place. "When kids become teens," says Ciardi, "there is no better time to become partners in parenting with your ex-spouse. Do not make being a divorced family a 'cop-out' for why your child makes bad decisions. Be on the same page, enforce same rules, dole out the same consequences." Best 10 tips for successful co-parenting 1. Communicate with one another, possibly more than you would as a couple, especially regarding anything your child accomplishes or struggles with that the other parent isn't around to see for themselves. 2. Always put your own egos aside when communicating with your ex-spouse. Make every decision with only the best interests of your children in mind. 3. Be each other's best ally. Bounce ideas off of one another regarding the raising of your children, and seek out the other's help with parenting decisions you may be unsure about. 4. Never belittle one another, especially in front of the kids, even when you think they aren't paying (Continued on Page 16)