Ask to meet your ex for coffee or lunch, explaining that you'd like to talk about the children. If your ex has a tendency to become loud, verbose or dramatic when discussing your past relationship, meeting in a public place may mute any lavish behaviors when discussing your intentions to introduce your children to your new partner.

Include your ex in the plan to introduce your children to your new boyfriend. This can help to ease any caution or uncertainty surrounding the meeting. Working together sells the message that, even though you are no longer romantically involved, you still can make joint decisions about what's best for your children.

Inform your ex that you intend to introduce your children to your new boyfriend. Make it clear that this politeness and should not be mistaken for asking permission. In the absence of any outstanding legal agreements that prevent you from introducing your children, your ex cannot prevent you from introducing your new boyfriend to your children. A gentle reminder that discussing the meeting beforehand is a courtesy will make it clear you are doing so to keep your ex up-to-date about your children's lives.

Brace yourself. If your boyfriend has moved on, chances are you may be faced with your children meeting his new love. Even if he has not yet started a new relationship, he is likely to do so in the future. Remind him that each of you have rights and responsibilities as parents, and that you would afford him the same courtesy if he were ready to introduce a new partner to your children.