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Setting Boundaries With Your Ex

So you broke up and agreed to stay friends. Now what?

Some breakups are complete. We end the relationship, we give back all their stuff, block them everywhere we can and pray we never have to see their face again. But that’s not always the case.

Sometimes we have kids together and can’t just go our separate ways. Or maybe we genuinely like our ex but we’re just not meant to be more than friends. Or we might just be trying to fool ourselves into thinking we can be friends with someone we once dated, lived with, or married.

Whatever the case may be, if you want to have a different relationship after you break up with someone, there needs to be some clear boundaries. But how do you set boundaries with an ex? And when? And who sets them — one of you, both of you, a third party?

Here are some of my best tips for setting boundaries with an ex so you can have a friendship or other relationship after a split.

Give yourself time without your ex

If it’s at all possible, give yourself time without your ex. It doesn’t have to be forever, obviously, but giving yourself a month or two without seeing or talking to them can help create that clear line between what you once had and what you’re now trying to create. It…