Kourtney Kardashian seems to have been spending some time away from her famous family after giving birth to her first child with Travis Barker.
The couple welcomed their son Rocky Thirteen in November last year and have been wrapped up in a baby bubble ever since. With Kourtney appearing to step away from the Kardashian-Jenner clan, it seems her sisters have instead strengthened their bond with her ex-partner Scott Disick.
Relationship expert Louella Alderson said it's "understandable" that Kourtney's sisters have instead decided to invite Scott to family events. Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, she said: "Kourtney has distanced herself from her sisters gradually over the years, and it's clear there has been tension between her and Kim in particular.
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"Kourtney has been preoccupied with her new relationship with Travis and has fully immersed herself in that part of her life. Her focus has shifted from the Kardashian family to building and nurturing her own relationship with Travis, his family and their new baby, Rocky."
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The expert suggested Kourtney is simply enjoying spending time with her husband and their new baby. She explained: "Kourtney is good at setting boundaries with her family. If she didn't want Scott around, she would tell them.
"It's possible that Kourtney is simply enjoying the time spent with Travis and their new family dynamic and doesn't want to be dragged back into any Kardashian drama. As sisters, they have likely had their fair share of disagreements and conflicts, so it's natural for them to take some space from each other at times."
Louella suggested that Kourtney and Scott have actually managed to develop a positive co-parenting relationship over the years. The former couple share three children - Mason, 13, Penelope, 12, and Reign, nine.
"Given that he is the father of her children and is still close with the family, it's likely that Kourtney will continue to have a relationship with Scott in some capacity," Louella told us. "It is important for them to maintain an amicable co-parenting relationship for the sake of their children and their extended family dynamic.
"Before Kourtney was with Travis, she didn't seem to have an issue being around Scott, as he was still a big part of their family. However, with her focus now on Travis and their family, it's understandable that she may want to distance herself from Scott to avoid any potential tension or awkwardness."
Louella also said it's "highly unlikely" Kourtney would expect her family to cut ties with Scott, adding that it's "important for everyone involved to communicate and respect each other's boundaries." The expert added: "If anything, it's a testament to the strong bond and support system within the Kardashian family that they are able to maintain relationships with their exes in a healthy and respectful manner."