Relationship with your ex is a delicate issue especially if the divorce or the breakup was ugly. The feelings are even more bitter when it was a result of adultery or dispute over money. But is it a good idea to talk bad about your ex (think Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards here)?

Maybe the answer is provided by Uma Thurman (who coincidentally also stars in "My super ex-girlfriend."). In several interviews she has admitted that she had a bad marriage (and so has Teri Hatcher) with Ethan Hawke and there are some reports that he may have cheated on her, but in an interview in Parade, she says that she does not believe in being critical about her ex-husband. (Related: Should I go back to my ex?)

"I think it's fair to say that I haven't said one mean thing, and I'm not going to start now. It's terrible for my family," she said. "I'm just another American woman who was in an unfulfilled marriage that fell apart," she added.

Indeed, not every one has a perfect marriage and many of us are lonely and depressed in our relationships. Some of us even choose to end our relationships and move on, but friendship with your ex is generally a good idea.

Friendship with ex-wife: Good idea!

Mark writes, "I've been divorced for two years. My ex-wife and I are still friends and although we don't talk all the time, maybe twice a month at the most, my new and potentially serious girlfriend has a huge issue with it. She has met her and knows that there is no way that we would ever re-connect. My ex and I have made it a point to remain friends after all that we've been through and yet it makes my present girlfriend extremely uncomfortable and jealous. Is this a case of jealousy that will never go away? What do I do? I really care for both and on some level I don't want to break either relationship off. Any suggestions?"

1. Americans better get used to the new reality. With 50% divorce rates, we already have situations where it is hard to keep track of all the complex marital situations and who is father/mother of what child. So the bottomline is that couples will continue to be divorced and divorces will become increasingly less bitter. That means that couples will stay friends, rather than turn into bitter enemies. So if you are going to date a divorcee, you better get used to seeing the exes once in a while and your boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband maintaining a mature friendship with the ex.
2. We at LuvCube.com believe that even after marriage, each partner should be allowed to have good friends of both sexes. The spouse does not have to be friends with all of these folks. It is actually good for both partners and for the relationship. In fact, our research has found that when a partner has a close friend of the opposite sex with whom s/he can share almost anything, the relationship with the spouse improves. There are things that you can never talk to your spouse about without getting personal about it. With a friend, it is much easier to discuss such things and get objective feedback/suggestions/ guidance. For example, if I tell my wife that she is starting to get fat and is no longer as pretty as she used to be, we will probably have a divorce. However, I can, and do, tell a friend and she will actually appreciate it.
3. If this woman is so jealous now, things will only get worse when you marry her. She will feel more right over you and would not want you to be seen with any other woman at all. Not a good situation to be in.
4. It seems that you have a good friendly relationship with your ex-wife. And that is the way it should be. After all, for God's sake, she was your wife at one time and you loved her. You have every right to be friends with her and as long as you give all your love to the next woman, she has no business to tell you who you are friends with. (Related: Should I go back to my ex?)
   
5. My advice: You might want to tell your girlfriend what your thoughts are, lay out all the facts, and hold your position. If she wants to leave, let her go. You will surely find someone who is a bit more open-minded than this.
   

Related reading

Dating after divorce

Cheating and divorce

Emotions after divorce

Impact of divorce on families