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Q: My guy has two exes and he still stays in touch with both of them. He says he will always care for them and one of them he has kids with. I especially don't understand why he feels it is okay to stay in touch with the one without kids, as I do not with my exes. We have had three major disagreements about this and I am not sure we will survive another. We have been together over a year (I'm 43), and I love this man. I want to know if I should let him have his exes and move on. -- Lydia

Dr. Susan: Not to belabor the obvious, but love does involve trust. You apparently feel he's betraying you somehow by remaining friendly with his former lovers. You've had two major disagreements, you say, but have you really sat down and quietly tried to find out what needs these exes serve in his life? The one he shares kids with is obvious, so focus on the other one. You might try to be big-hearted about it and suggest you and he and she go to lunch one day. After all, if he's not hiding anything and she's "just an old friend" now, there isn't any reason you can't be included. It's the secret nature of their relationship that makes you insecure. Explain that you need help to feel comfortable about him spending time alone with ANY woman, especially one he's been intimate with. Such situations can become sticky, but if all is above board, there is no reason not to trust him. You may not wish to socialize with your own exes (nor do I with mine!), but some men have trouble making friends with anyone but women. So letting go of these women completely may seem like a bigger loss to him than it would to you. Ask him honestly for his take on the matter, and then decide how much YOU can take.