Jenny Block answers your questions about relationship dynamics in an open marriage.
Thank you all for your comments and questions about my recent blog "Open Marriage Benefit: A Three-Parent Household." I thought that this week I would answer one of the questions I received based on that piece. MaliMali asked, "Is she mainly your girlfriend? Is it like he comes home to two wives? Have you ever shared a boyfriend in your marriage?" The answer, after the jump.
Jenny Block discusses the benefits of an extra partner during the bad economy.
The economy has forced me to do some corporate writing alongside my "real" work which means deadlines and company politics and stress. Combine that with a spouse who is in town for less than 48 hours a week and who wants (and needs) to do little more than rest during that time and you're likely headed for the looney bin—or worse. But because I am in an open marriage, a polyamorous relationship, a polyfidelitous vee, I am not alone…at all.
Meet Robyn: a polyamorist, suburbanite and mother. Could she be your next-door neighbor?
What would you do if you found out that the mom you shared carpool duties with was a dominatrix at night? Or what if that cute couple next door wasn't really a couple—but a threesome or a foursome? How would you react? Well, you better get used to it, because all across America, in sleepy suburbs just like yours, moms are hiding secrets. Meet Robyn. She's a 44-year-old mom of three and a polyamorist who's currently involved in loving, intimate relationships with three men. And she's open to more, time permitting.
A look at our polygamist past and if it would work today.
A writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, Andrew Greeley, wrote a humorous take on polygamy for the rich. His premise is that A) it was kosher in the past and B) they do it any way, might as well set up boundaries. It's an idea worth considering for rich philanderers.
Have you heard of ashleymadison.com? It’s one of several dating site for marrieds looking for an extramarital affair—but only with other marrieds. Its slogan is “When monogamy becomes monotony.” A slew of people must be pretty bored, as they have more than a million members. Anyway, I happened upon its glossary, loaded with words (and concepts) I had yet to hear. Maybe because I’m out of the loop. Or maybe because I’m not looking to add to my collection of husbands. (I have just a single husband to date. He must be lonely.)
Anyway, my favorite word in the glossary is “polyfidelity.” Definition: Closed relationship involving more than two people. The members of a group marriage, for example, may limit their sexual/romantic involvement to members of the group.
