Sandra Bullock visits her stepchildren as an "excuse to see" her ex-husband Jesse James.

The 'Blind Side' actress - who is stepmother to Jesse James' three children, Chandler, 15, Jesse Jr., 12, and six-year-old Sunny, from previous relationships - is reportedly spending time with the youngsters to cover the fact she is still not over her divorce.

A source told America's Life and Style magazine: "Sandra's caught between a rock and a hard place.

"She wants her family back, but after everything Jesse did to her she knows it will look terrible if she officially reconciles with him.

"It's going to take some time. She's very worried about what people will think if she takes Jesse back too fast. So she's keeping it all about the children. That's her excuse to see him."

Sandra divorced the motorcycle enthusiast earlier this year, after it was alleged he had cheated on her with numerous women.

The pair had been married for five years, and following their separation, Sandra adopted her son Louis as a single parent.