I 100% agree with DNJ. His suggestion was to break the ice by speaking of the kid and conference. So that would make it about the kid.
And with a 3 and 6 year old, the distant neighbor thing isn’t what’s best for the kids. They kids will read and pick up on this and they have a lifetime of events to endure together. Being able to be pretty cordial, having a little bit of a convo about something related to the kids will put everyone at ease, including those kids who are watching interactions like hawk.
Don’t have to besties. But a cordial goal is something to aim for and slowly work up to . It will make things so so much easier and peaceful
I say thjng, because you have many years left of recitals and school functions and events you’ll be attending together . Less awkward is the best.
My daughter was able to say to me how happy it makes her that her parents can sit next to eachother and talk to eachother at her stuff and it never feels awkward unlike other divorced parents.
You may not be there yet, but it’s a goal to work towards
