First let me start off by saying I am not a step parent, I am the biological mother looking for some advice. My ex and I have been apart for 2+ years and have had a pretty decent relationship with each other. Mainly for the sake of our kids. I left him because we just didnt work together as a couple anymore and it was affecting our children. (the constant fighting, disrespect and on his end indiscretions.) While there were some tense moments directly after our break up, we worked through them and figured out a way to interact with each other with respect again for our children.