Dr. Phil - Open Marriage

I'm in an open relationship, and it works for me.

We have rules, we have boundaries, and we have limits. We've both been in a sexually stifling relationship before, and it caused the downfall of said relationships. We are determined not to do the same thing again.

So yes, we can be with other people, but the rules are that there can be no emotional attachment to the other people. Love, affection, confiding, and comfort are with each other. Sex can be with other people.

Sex with all parties involved is allowed as well.

Basically it all comes down to this: as long as EVERYONE agrees with and truly is OK with the situation, it can work. Otherwise, it won't.

Jealousy has no place in a relationship. I am confidant that I have everything my partner needs from an emotional and sexual perspective.

With that being said... sometimes you like to mix it up. I give her the freedom to do so, as she does for me.

I need to stop reading posts like this one. It always makes me deeply sad that so many people are "ok with" or think it's "fine if it works for them". There seems to be no higher standard for anyone as long as people are "happy". There's more to life than being happy, and in my opinion, it cheapens the human experience to spend all of life only seeking after happiness.

almost every Open Marriage ends up with divorce or a tragic occurrence :yawn:

Think about law of averages. You only hear about the ones that fail...not the ones that succeed.

Was thinking the same thing as I have not seen tragedy or divorce with my friends in these types of relationships.

If this couple insists on hiding their open marriage from their children, isn't that a clue that they think there's something wrong with it?

almost every Open Marriage ends up with divorce or a tragic occurrence :yawn:

Think about law of averages. You only hear about the ones that fail...not the ones that succeed.

Was thinking the same thing as I have not seen tragedy or divorce with my friends in these types of relationships.

And seeing the level of judgement I see here, it is fully understandable if people keep it to themselves.

If this couple insists on hiding their open marriage from their children, isn't that a clue that they think there's something wrong with it?

From reading more comments they don't hide it. And if it were me, I wouldn't be throwing it in my childrens' faces regardless of what I thought of the situation. "Oh hey, Johnny... I'm just going to go out and bang someone other than your father." How would you even have that conversation?

And people wonder why marriage is in such a state disrepair!?

I think something's broken inside you if you can't commit completely to one person and have that be enough. Either you're with the wrong person or you have insecurities that you have to fill with promiscuity and outside attention.

Give me a happy, peaceful home with the person I love, someday maybe kids, my rescued doggies, and I will be happy.

I do want a bigger kitchen though.

So you're telling me that there is no one in the world you'd like to bang? Let's be realistic here, sure it's not for everyone but you can't say people are "broken" for having a different relationship than yours.

Yep I can, cuz that's my opinion. Lots of people have personality flaws that make them desperate and seek all the attention they can from other people, nothing is never enough for them. If you can find two people like that, you have an open relationship. It's basically telling someone 'Sorry, you're cool and all, but you're not enough for me'.

The person I love who is fulfilling in all aspects of our relationship. He's my best friend and I want not for another. Even if I did lust for someone else (say, if the relationship got boring, which it inevitably does at times), I would have more respect for him and more dignity for myself than to go running my vajayjay all over town. And I would work with him to find ways to make our relationship more interesting. Because that's what couples do, and in the long run, it makes you stronger.

:drinker: Happy Friday! :drinker:

I love narrow minded people. You need to understand, and Avalonis said it perfectly, it is not that there is something LACKING in the relationship. Maybe you should read his comment.

I need to stop reading posts like this one. It always makes me deeply sad that so many people are "ok with" or think it's "fine if it works for them". There seems to be no higher standard for anyone as long as people are "happy". There's more to life than being happy, and in my opinion, it cheapens the human experience to spend all of life only seeking after happiness.

Should we spend our lives being miserable? Because I know that's what I was for YEARS in my previous relationship. Should I have stuck it out because there is "more to life"?

Your logic is flawed. If you do what makes you happy, and what makes the people you love happy (while within the laws of our communities) than thats what it's all about.

You are unhappy bub. You just don't know it.

If this couple insists on hiding their open marriage from their children, isn't that a clue that they think there's something wrong with it?

Do most people's children know the intimate details of their parent's monogamous sex life?
Does that mean most people think there's something wrong with monogamy?