I've been with my husband for quite a long time now but I did have boyfriends before him, and no I'm not in touch with any of them. While there was no messy, heartbreaking break up (which probably sounds quite boring!) there's just no desire to stay in touch. My husband is in contact with his ex wife but then as they have a child together, he has to be. My sister is in touch with one of her ex boyfriends but that's more about sending messages at Christmas and New Year rather than being 'friends' and meeting up for a coffee and a chitchat. Somehow I can't see my BIL going for that! LOL.

It's the same with us Green. My husband is also in contact with his ex because they have a child together. To be honest I see my husband's ex even less than you see yours so it's not a problem for me at all! Either my husband picks him up on his own or my stepson gets the bus over to ours on his own as he's old enough to do so now. But I'm very respectful to his mum of course and she doesn't do anything to create any conflict for us. I know from other people that it's not always like that when there's an ex and a child involved so I'm very lucky. We've just managed to make things work and as my stepson is happy and knows he's loved by all of us that's all that matters.

My husband and I have three children between us. The oldest is at sixth form now and while we're careful about who he comes into contact with, we know that we don't have to supervise him the way we have to with the younger ones. They are allowed to have sleepovers, either at our house of at their friends but obviously it's only with people we know very well. That's just common sense.

Maybe in the world in general there may not be much in the way of community spirit. But that's why I'm so glad that I live where I live where there's a real sense of community and people being friendly and helping each other out. I won't pretend that it's one of those places where everyone leaves their doors and windows unlocked (who does that any more?) But there's a lot of genuine souls here and we feel very at home. I'm so glad my kids get to be raised here.