How to Succeed in an Open Relationship, Tips from Active Polyamorous People
Saturday, August 29th, 2009Living this Polyamory lifestyle successfully requires a few things.
One must: be open, honest, patient and be an excellent communicator. If you’re currently in a primary relationship and are looking to open it up to include secondaries, some negotiation with your primary must happen first. You both need to agree on: how much time will be devoted to secondaries, will you be sharing (as in threesomes) or will they be independent relationships, are you ok with secondaries being in your house/bed, will the three of you do dinner or other everyday activities together from time to time? Then comes more technical stuff… what kind of activities are ok? Are you comfortable with your partner having hot, steamy sex, but would prefer they not kiss the other on the mouth? Do you want penetration reserved for only you two, but fondling up to third base is fine? And, my own two cents, I don’t care what your situation is, discuss safe sex expectations! It’s not only your health, but your partners that may be put in jeopardy.
Be aware… you can negotiate all this to death beforehand. Your partner may say, “oh sure, I don’t want to limit you, I’m fine with all of this, go ahead and fuck her brains out in our bed with me reading a book in the next room”. And then, the first time it happens, you may emerge all sweaty and satisfied to find them huddled in a corner crying hysterically. It’s one thing to talk about being poly, but one never knows how they will feel until it’s put into practice. Thus, my advise is to start slowly. Begin with flirting in front of your partner, some light touching, and check in. Even the poly-est person who ever poly-ed can be affected by jealousy and insecurity at times. That’s ok, don’t call it quits just yet. Acknowledge these feelings, address them with patience and compassion, and renegotiate. Remember, this situation is supposed to make everyone happy if done ethically and consciously. (more…)



