Quoting honeybiscuit:

Hi all, I have met several poly families over the last year and have been quite amazed at how well their relationships work. This is different than bigamy...in these relationships the parties have decided to have more than one other person be in their primary sexual and familial circle. Bigamy is more of a harem model. So opinions? Is this shocking to you? Could you deeply love more than one partner and could you navigate the jealousy? Benefits? Drawbacks?

Hi all, I have met several poly families over the last year and have been quite amazed at how well their relationships work. This is different than bigamy...in these relationships the parties have decided to have more than one other person be in their primary sexual and familial circle. Bigamy is more of a harem model. So opinions? Is this shocking to you? Could you deeply love more than one partner and could you navigate the jealousy? Benefits? Drawbacks?

Quoting OneOldHeifer:

Personally, I need a mate, a partner, a friend, and a loyal confidant. ~A very intimate relationship, and I don't think that can be obtained when it is spread so thin.

Personally, I need a mate, a partner, a friend, and a loyal confidant. ~A very intimate relationship, and I don't think that can be obtained when it is spread so thin.

Quoting bbwchina:

I agree Caryl.... to each their own and I dont believe anyone implied that it was wrong, amoral or any other thing, other than, not our cup of tea!! It's nice to hear that your friends have a loving relationship. I, for one, believe that as long as consenting adults are happy, however they chose to live is their business, and we live and let live!! :-)

I agree Caryl.... to each their own and I dont believe anyone implied that it was wrong, amoral or any other thing, other than, not our cup of tea!! It's nice to hear that your friends have a loving relationship. I, for one, believe that as long as consenting adults are happy, however they chose to live is their business, and we live and let live!! :-)

Quoting bbwchina:

I have to say No to this also. Unfortunatlely, I almost failed kindergarten, I just had a VERY hard time with the SHARING concept!! *L* but Seriously, I know I would not be able to handle this; I'm the jealous type too, and why is it that most of these "families" are ONE man and multiple women??

I have to say No to this also. Unfortunatlely, I almost failed kindergarten, I just had a VERY hard time with the SHARING concept!! *L* but Seriously, I know I would not be able to handle this; I'm the jealous type too, and why is it that most of these "families" are ONE man and multiple women??

Quoting Suzieq22:

I never did learn to share..and especially not my man. That's totally not my cup of tea..but live and let live.

I never did learn to share..and especially not my man. That's totally not my cup of tea..but live and let live.

Quoting LonelyInFL:

I do know one family like this and I have to say it's definitely Not for me. Not to mention how it affects the kids that are involved. I only need one good man to make me happy. :) Melissa

I do know one family like this and I have to say it's definitely Not for me. Not to mention how it affects the kids that are involved. I only need one good man to make me happy. :) Melissa

Quoting wyldechild:

I have a couple of friends here in town that are in long term poly relationships and yes, their families work well together. I think without an understanding of the D/s lifestyle, it would be difficult to understand the dynamics behind the poly relationship. It's not usually considered an open marriage nor do they refer to themselves as swingers either. Also, it does not necessarily mean there are sexual relations between all partners either.

I have a couple of friends here in town that are in long term poly relationships and yes, their families work well together. I think without an understanding of the D/s lifestyle, it would be difficult to understand the dynamics behind the poly relationship. It's not usually considered an open marriage nor do they refer to themselves as swingers either. Also, it does not necessarily mean there are sexual relations between all partners either.

Quoting butterbll:

Not for me ,I have a hard enough time figuring out one woman. Why compound the problem with two or more,

Not for me ,I have a hard enough time figuring out one woman. Why compound the problem with two or more,

Quoting stannosstacey:

There is no way I could be in a relationship like that. I admit I do not personally know of anyone in that type of marriage so I don't understand how it works and how it could be healthy.

There is no way I could be in a relationship like that. I admit I do not personally know of anyone in that type of marriage so I don't understand how it works and how it could be healthy.

Quoting bigtom77:

I had some good friends that had a marriage they called "open". This was suppose to make them stronger as a couple. Needless to say it didn't. It's not just because I have seen it not work but it's not something I could do. I like to give all my love to one person. I think of a commitment as being between two people, only two.

I had some good friends that had a marriage they called "open". This was suppose to make them stronger as a couple. Needless to say it didn't. It's not just because I have seen it not work but it's not something I could do. I like to give all my love to one person. I think of a commitment as being between two people, only two.

Quoting Katwoman1968:

I would have to say for me that it wouldn't work out, as I am a jealous person and I like all the attention.

I would have to say for me that it wouldn't work out, as I am a jealous person and I like all the attention.

Quoting biigbiirdy:

Like Blue, it's not something I'm very knowledgable about, so if that lifestyle is what floats someone's boat, they are freely consenting to it, and it isn't hurting anyone then I guess "live and let live". For me, however, it would not be something I could consider. Aside from any issues of morality, sharing, jealousy, disease and sloppy seconds, I'd just find it far too confusing!

Like Blue, it's not something I'm very knowledgable about, so if that lifestyle is what floats someone's boat, they are freely consenting to it, and it isn't hurting anyone then I guess "live and let live". For me, however, it would not be something I could consider. Aside from any issues of morality, sharing, jealousy, disease and sloppy seconds, I'd just find it far too confusing!

Quoting bluegirl2006:

I will admit to some ignorance on this issue. If any of you are experts feel free to enlighten me. That being said, however, from what I have seen of poly households (all on tv of course) they always seem to be patriarchal. I can see where this might work for some. And if someone goes into this lifestyle knowingly and of their free will who am I to judge them? But it would never work for me. Besides, when it comes to my man I refuse to share. I am worthy of ALL his time and affection.

I will admit to some ignorance on this issue. If any of you are experts feel free to enlighten me. That being said, however, from what I have seen of poly households (all on tv of course) they always seem to be patriarchal. I can see where this might work for some. And if someone goes into this lifestyle knowingly and of their free will who am I to judge them? But it would never work for me. Besides, when it comes to my man I refuse to share. I am worthy of ALL his time and affection.