Divorced and different parenting styles...how can I manage? 

I recently went to a parenting class for raising teenagers.  I went as a divorced parent knowing full well that the likeliness of my ex wanting to follow anything I get out of this class are slim to none.  In fact, it is doubtful that I will even mention it to him.  Because honestly, getting him to see something my way is almost as difficult as getting teenagers to cooperate.  But while I was there, I was surprised at how many divorced parents wanted to almost throw in the towel saying that these techniques won't work, or don't stand a chance because they will all be undone at the other parent's house.  I quite frankly was appauled at that line of thinking.  In fact, I would really call it more of a cop-out.  That to me is like saying, gee, I can't parent in the way I think is best because my kid spends time over at the neighbors and they do things differently.  I say "Nice Try".  When my kids come home from friends or my ex's house, and they have some new something that they want to pull over on me, I say something like, "Really........that's interesting." Or, "Thanks for sharing...but what do we do at this house?" I just stay firm on my feet, and play the broken record if I have to.  So to me, it doesn't matter if my ex has a different parenting style.  That does not give me any license to just give up or do nothing.  Work with the different parenting style..........in the long run it may even work to your advantage.  Just hold steady and true.  Be consistent.  Eventually your kids may really come to appreciate your level headedness...........well, that may be a looooong eventually.  But nevertheless, it certainly will benefit you to stay true to your own preferred parenting path.  Take a class.  Talk to other parents.  Have a plan........and then go with it, irregardless of what the ex is doing.  You'll probably be happy you did in the long run.