How to Make a Open Relationship Work
Many people get the wrong idea about open relationships. They are often seen as wild, crazy relationships engaged in only by people with no morals and no true feelings. That's why these types of relationships are often hidden. No matter what society's view is on this relationship style, open relationships still occur and, like any other relationship, they still have problems.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Communicate with your partner. An open relationship has no chance of working if only one person is happy. Although communication is one of the most important factors in a normal relationship, it is crucial in an open relationship. When you aren't completely devoted to one person, it's important to have conversation regularly to discuss your partner's feelings and develop the bond between the two of you. If you are hiding things from your partner about your outside activities when you have both agreed to tell each other everything, then you are being dishonest and need to come clean about your actions.
-
2
Set ground rules. Many people get the wrong idea about open relationships. They envision two people with a sex drive so large that they can't limit themselves to one person. They think there is no love and devotion. However, open relationships have boundaries just like monogamous ones. For example, if you fear your partner might fall in love with one of his or her flings, you can set a rule where if those feelings start to develop, your partner will cut off all contact with the person immediately. You can set a rule about the times when you and your partner will have outside sex and can place limitations on things that you consider sacred to your relationship. If it bothers you to imagine your partner showing affection to a fling, such as hand holding or kissing, then set a rule about it. Rules are important to both parties in a relationship to protect both sides from getting hurt.
-
-
3
Always practice safe sex. Of course, one of the most important rules is to always use a condom. When you both have multiple lovers, you don't want to run the risk of bringing home a sexually transmitted disease to your partner. It could certainly put a bump in the road if one of your extraneous lovers becomes pregnant, or if you are the woman and you become impregnated by someone other than your partner. These things must be considered in any relationship, but should have more emphasis because of the special situation. Besides, reserving no-condom sex specifically for your partner makes your time with your partner that much more special.
-
4
Combat jealousy. As with any relationship, an open relationship style is no stranger to jealousy. It is assumed that people entering into an open relationship have no issues with jealousy. At times that might be true, but jealousy can certainly enter the relationship further down the road when stronger feelings have developed. You should discuss with your partner any time jealousy arises and talk about how you will handle it. You can't ignore jealousy because that will only cause problems in the long run.
-
1
