Is sexting cheating?

July 16, 3:25 PMRelationship Advice ExaminerJennifer Tjon

Dear Jennifer,
I just discovered that my girlfriend of three months has been sending pictures of herself in lingerie to her ex-boyfriend. There's been no physical cheating but I feel betrayed. Should I be jealous? And is the relationship worth salvaging when the trust has been broken?
-Feeling Betrayed

Dear Feeling Betrayed,
You have every right to feel betrayed. Emotions are a funny thing. No one has the right to tell you how to feel and you don't need to justify your emotions to anyone. Should you be jealous? Only if you want to be. Is the relationship worth salvaging? Only you can answer that question. I do wonder though, if you've only been going out for a few months and you're already having troubles, what drama do you have in store if you continue this relationship? Your girlfriend obviously still has a connection with her ex. There's something between them that she doesn't want to give up. If she's been sending him pictures of herself in lingerie there's a good chance more has happened. Racy pictures are usually sent to entice and scintillate. If there's been no physical cheating yet, it's probably only a matter of time before that happens. She may just like the attention she gets from sending scandalous pictures of herself to her ex. She may be an attention whore. Which may mean that you are in for a world of trouble and heartache if you continue dating this girl. She may never be satisfied with the attention she gets from one man (you!) and will constantly seek attention from outside of your relationship. You need to evaluate whether or not making time with this girl is worth the trouble. Since you've only been dating for three months I'd say it's better to cut your losses early on rather than try to make something work that just isn't meant to be. Three months into a relationship you should be heavy in the honeymoon stage. If red flags are popping up when it should be all red roses and endless makeout sessions, you should heed the warnings your inner voice is issuing. You should continue dating her only if you can forgive and trust her, which is a question that only you can answer.
Yours truly,
Jennifer