Deciding to open up your marriage is a major choice — and a scary one. Yes, you’re opening the door to new experiences, feelings, and lots of fun, but tough emotions like jealousy, fear, and insecurity can come through that door right along with them. That’s why many people in open relationships decide to set some ground rules before they jump into the dating scene, which can range from no sleepovers and no dating exes to no falling in love with a new partner. It’s worth noting, though, that all rules can be broken and that needs can change throughout the course of any relationship, open or closed, which means those rules might fluctuate too.
Reddit is full of posts from people in open relationships asking for advice, wondering what to do about jealous partners, struggling with insecurity, or running into issues around open relationship rules — all valid experiences over the course of an open relationship. One thing that’s always interesting to observe is how the partner who originally pushed for an open relationship reacts when their more reluctant partner starts to get into the dating scene. In one recent post and its subsequent update, a couple was struggling with just that.
In the post, the husband (aka our original poster or OP) was pushed to try an open relationship by his wife, Sarah, who’s now struggling with her reaction to his new partner. Sarah wants to change the rules of their open marriage as a result, and it’s causing friction, to the point that OP is taking drastic action — and Reddit, apparently, approves. Keep reading for the full story.