When romantic relationships are over is it a good idea to stay friends with your ex or not? Read on for some helpful tips to remaining friends!

For people breaking up it is always hard for them to let their partner know you no longer are interested in having a relationship with them and you want to move on and the hurt of breaking off a relationship is even worse when your partner is the one breaking it off. With all the pain associated with it makes it a dreaded experience. So many times partners will say to each other "Let’s remain friends" when they are breaking off a romantic relationship.

A lot of times ending a relationship with the genuine intent of being friends after may seem like the right thing to do along with a good idea. The theory behind this thought is that you still like having them around but are no longer romantically attracted to them. If you are fortunate enough that both of you are mature and both are no longer interested in being romantically involved then "Let’s stay friends" can work out. However, it is not common for long term relationships to end with both partners agreeing mutually, and especially for the one being dumped that is still holding on to hope.

Here are a couple of ideas to help you remain friends with your ex:

1. Agree together on a period of time to cool the relationship off- It is almost impossible to be involved with someone romantically to being "just friends" in a short time frame, love and romantic relationships are not turned on and off by a switch. You and you’re partner may need several months or more to heal the hurt feelings and emotions that one or both of you are experiencing prior to trying to form a "friendship" only type of relationship. If after a lengthy period of time you decide you want to start a friendship you can then start laying the foundation for that after a reasonable amount of time has passed since the breakup.

2. Choose your places to meet wisely- Sometimes you’re attraction to someone seems to never subside. For instance, you attend a 10 year class reunion, see an old flame and you get the same goose bumps as you did when you were 17. This type of attraction should always be thought about and have respect for it. When you finally meet your old flame to discuss if a friendship is a possibility you need to consider where and when you are meeting them. Possible places to meet are, with a group of friends such as at an event of some type. Maybe just the two of you at a coffee shop, or even a dinner with friends, but never for a late night cocktail drink with just the two of you, mixing alcohol with old memories can be a disaster. Staying friends and whether it is a good idea has no clear and definite answer to it. Just don’t forget that starting a developing a friendship takes time and a lot of effort as it is not something you can switch gears and go into easily. Every relationship needs to weigh the pros and cons of remaining friends. Good Luck and Happy Online Personals Dating to all Singles!