Spare Yourself The Heartbreak, Know The Rules For Open Relationships
Open relationships can be a great type of relationship. However, there a few rules for open relationships that should be followed that ensure everybody involved is happy and not going to get hurt.
Rule 1 – Find Out What Is Okay
One of the first things you need to do after deciding to have an open relationship is finding out what is acceptable and what is not. You and your partner might have different ideas of what constitutes an open relationship. Discussion and communication is key for you both to be happy and healthy.
Rule 2 – Avoid Your Partners Friends
You need to be able to respect your partner and sleeping or dating their friends is not going to show them that. Usually in relationships like these, it is safer to have strangers as the other people in your relationships as to not hurt the relationship you already have with your main partner.
Rule 3 – Know What You Want Out Of This
Are these relationships just for lust? Or are you looking for something serious, but can’t commit to monogamy? It is common for people to struggle with monogamy and not a bad thing. But you need to know why you are wanting to be in an open relationship, so you can figure out what type of rules for open relationships you are after.
Rule 4 – Be Aware Of Jealousy
Jealousy is a big issue in so many relationships, so if you are sleeping with other people then jealously could be more. You need to be aware of your partner and how they are feeling towards your relationship status, but also be aware of how you feel with your partner potentially sleeping with other people.
Rule 5 – Communication Is Key
Communication is a key role in the rules for open relationships. You need to be able to talk to both your main partner and your other partners with ease. Being able to communicate in these situations is key for everyone to be happy and healthy in their own lives.
Rule 6 – Know Your Boundaries
You need to know what boundaries are set for your relationship. For example, whether you can bring a different partner into your home or whether you can only see your partners elsewhere. Or whether you can enjoy full sex with new partners or not. All of this issues need to be discussed with your partner so you both know what you want out of the relationships.
Rule 7 – Understand What An Open Relationship Is
Before entering into discussing rules for open relationships, you need to understand what it is. You also need to know how it will affect you and your partners. If you are going for a polygamous relationship, then you might not have a main partner. But if you are going for a traditional open relationship, then you will have a main partner and other sexual or emotional partners added on. You need to be clear with your partners what type of relationship you are looking for and be sure of it yourself.
Rule 8 – Check Ups Keep It Healthy
If you are sleeping with multiple people, then it is very important to get yourself checked at regular intervals. If you’re having unprotected sex, then you need to be aware of all of your partners sexual history and what (if any) birth control is being used. Sexual health is so important in all relationships.
Rule 9 – Changing The Rules Are Okay, People Change
Usually when you set out into an open relationship, you and your partner will set rules for open relationships to follow. They won’t be set in stone but will be important to ensuring that you and your partner are both happy in the arrangements. Of course, issues can arise and that can lead to a change in rules, and that is okay too. People change and being in a moving relationship you need to be able to respect that.
Rule 10 – Don’t Fall In Love
If you’re in an open relationship, then it usually means that you have one main partner. If you do believe you are catching feelings for someone else. Then you need to be open and tell your partner, falling in love with someone else isn’t a crime, but will break the trust that you and your partner have worked hard to build with this structure of a relationship.
