RHOP’s Ashley Darby and ex Michael are ‘parallel parenting’

The Real Housewives of Potomac star Ashley Darby gave Us an update on where she stands with her estranged husband, Michael Darby — and it sounds like things have definitely been better.

“We’re currently doing something called parallel parenting,” Ashley, 35, exclusively shared We weekly at BravoCon on Friday, November 3. “I learned that terminology from TikTok, and yes, it is very applicable.”

According to Ashley, parallel parenting involves less personal interaction with the ex-spouse than traditional co-parenting. “We’re really just communicating for the kids, which I think is best until we get to a better place personally,” she explained.

Ashley confirmed her split from Michael, 64, in April 2022 after eight years of marriage. “We have decided to part ways. We are aware that there will be many speculative opinions as to why we have made this decision,” she told Bravo’s The daily dish at the time. “People will be quick to assume that the causes are too much intrusion of reality TV into the most personal parts of our lives, age differences, cultural issues or differences in child rearing. Pieces of it all may have influenced our pure love for each other, but no single reason is the cause of our mutual decision to go our separate ways.

The estranged duo co-parented sons Dean, 4, and Dylan, 2, but Ashley opened up Us Friday that her relationship with Michael has since deteriorated.

“I don’t really know what the turning point is for him,” she said. ‘I don’t know where we became negative towards each other. But something changed. Something has changed, and maybe as I watch [this season] back, maybe I’ll learn it too, but something happened.

Related: Ashley Darby and Michael Darby’s relationship timeline

It’s safe to say that Ashley Darby and Michael Darby’s relationship has been making waves on Bravo since the debut of The Real Housewives of Potomac. The Maryland-based franchise premiered in 2016, less than two years after Ashley’s wedding to Michael. Her costars were quick to question their union, as Ashley is 29 years younger than her husband. […]

Ashley further confessed that she is disappointed in the way things are going between her and Michael, despite their divorce. “I was so in love with this man,” she said Us. “Being in love with someone on these terms for eleven years and then not being that anymore is quite a challenge. But that’s just life.”

As for when she will officially divorce Michael, Ashley said she is still “wading through the water” of the process. “I’m going there,” she added. “I don’t know when, but step by step.”

The reality star also plans to take her time when it comes to dating again. “I’ve learned that maybe I just need to slow down a little bit, because when I like someone, I just dive in,” Ashley said. “I’m like, ‘Hey, do you want me to do your laundry, cook for you? Do you want me to buy this for you?’ And I can’t do that.”

Ashley was last publicly linked Summer house star Luke Gulbranson, but the duo split in January after several months of dating. Despite their breakup, Ashley has no regrets.

“Luke is a great guy,” she said Us. “I wasn’t in a place where I could be in a relationship, but it all happened the way it was meant to happen. I learned a few things from him – and he’s very easy on the eyes, so I enjoyed that.

Season 8 of The Real Housewives of Potomac premieres on Bravo Sunday, November 5 at 8pm ET.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi