Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/892003
20 Hudson Valley Parent n November 2017 By THOMAS MATTINGLY R ecently, I had lunch with a former co-worker, Mark. Although our employer is in another state and our areas of responsibility were mostly unconnected, Mark and I ironically only live a few miles apart, have a few mutual friends, and occasionally see one another at a store or at some activity that involve our kids. After I'd told him in more detail about my life including my late wife, Lori's, cancer and being a single dad, he rather incredulously asked, "How did you do it?" He wasn't the first to ask. Don't get me wrong, I am pretty far from being the perfect parent, single or otherwise. Still, considering making financial and emotional ends meet isn't always easy for anyone, I've been able to get by for more than a dozen years as the full-time father of three beautiful, independent, incredible children. Here are just a few of the secrets of my success: When happily ever after gets cut short Secrets of single parent success Tom Mattingly didn't expect to have to raise his kids alone. After years of living as a single dad, he shares secrets to his parenting success. Photo by Michael Bloom