text: does getting into a relationship with an ex (that ended badly) ever work the second time around? it ended about 5yrs ago. he's name is mark and i really care about him. we were together for about 2yrs and we have a son together and he's 5. it was good for a while but we were young and we both weren't ready for that big a commitment.  i went and joined the army and he went and joined the navy. till recently we haven't spoken in about 4 1/2 yrs. now we talk and theres day where we want to try again and then something happens or we remember the past and then all hell breaks loose. i do love him it's just that i'm really scared that the things that turned me off from him are still there.  how do we both let go of the past and get on with our future......together.  if it's ment to be. have you ever heard of the saying 'once bitten, twice shy'? to me it makes sense.personally i have a rule which is to never get back with someone i have broke up with weather it was an amicable break up or not.i made this rule for myself cos i have experienced it and the second time around it hurt even more than it did the first time.i've also watched my friends relationships when they have broke up with someone and then got back with them.sooner or later the problem comes back.it might be 2 years or it might be 2 weeks but it does eventually come back.but that is only my experiences - it may be different for you.hope everything works out for you.good luck