Ryan Phillippe has introduced his (and Reese Witherspoon's) kids to his girlfriend. Was that a bad idea?

Us Weekly reports that Ryan was spotted shopping this week with his kids and girlfriend, Abbie Cornish. Cornish is reported to be the reason for Reese and Ryan's split after seven years of marriage. They may be famous, but their situation is quite common. When is it OK for the kids to meet the new significant other? We asked Mom•Logic friend and family counselor Rosanne Tobey for some guidelines. She says before you make the introductions, be sure this is someone you envision a future with.
"If your children have bonded to your new significant other, they will suffer the loss if it doesn't last. If you're going to risk a second abandonment, your intention needs to be to stay with the person, and there should be commitment involved."

Rosanne adds that if the relationship began as an affair, children should absolutely not know the circumstances of the breakup. "Don't bad mouth each other or try to get kids to choose sides. Children should not be privvy to personal information. Don't give them the responsibility of knowing the details at that young age."