I was so dead-set on showing my partner that I’m totally rational and normal, and that anyone would respond this way. I said something to the effect of, “Hey, I’ll be fine. I mean, you don’t really know what this feels like, and you couldn’t, unless the tables actually were turned. And I wouldn’t want you to feel the way I feel right now, because it sucks. So I just have to grin and bear it.”
There are some people who dread that you’ll get back together. You two, romantically, were not good together. You fought a lot. Or were terribly codependent. You brought out the worst in each other. Some friends watch the situation very closely to make sure it stays platonic.
If this man has kids with his ex but is on bad terms with his ex, you’ll feel the fall out. Every time you two want to travel and he wants the ex to take the kids, she’ll kick up a fuss, there will be a big fight, the trip may have to be cancelled or, if it goes, he’ll be upset the whole time. Trust me: it’s good for you if he’s on good terms with his baby mama.