Man “Comes Out” As Poly, Uses It As Free Pass To Date, Gets Mad When Wife Dates, She’s Struggling
What works for some couples might not end up being a fit for others, which is why people need to collectively figure out the rules and boundaries of their relationship. Unfortunately, in some cases, even partners who have been together for a long time might be on completely different pages, which can cause problems.
This is what happened to one woman when her husband of fifteen years suddenly demanded a polyamorous relationship and had someone lined up to date him. She still tried to make it work, but ended up feeling broken.
More info: Reddit
It can be difficult to recognize red flags in a long-term relationship until one partner takes things too far
Image credits: Frolopiaton Palm/ Freepik (not the actual photo)
The poster explained that she had been married to her husband for fifteen years and that he suddenly “came out” as polyamorous, and already had someone to date
Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The poster felt blindsided by her husband’s declaration and tried to set boundaries around his dating, but she had to keep compromising as he’d throw a fit
Image credits: creativaimages / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The poster became insecure when her husband started flirting with their neighbor and told him to delete her number, but he continued the connection in secret
Image credits: Throw-Away-5862
Over time, the poster began feeling like her life was falling apart and that she didn’t know what to do because he kept making her feel like it was all her fault
As the poster mentioned, she and her husband had been together for more than a decade and had two children. Nothing seemed off about their relationship, and they faced the normal ups and downs of life. That’s why she was shocked when he suddenly decided that he wanted to be polyamorous.
According to researchers, people can’t just come out as polyamorous, especially if they are in a committed relationship. This kind of decision should be discussed multiple times between partners so that they can figure out what works best for them together, instead of just one person pulling the strings.
It’s clear that the man had blindsided his wife with his declaration, which is why she had said that she needed some time to take in the news. Unfortunately, before she even got a chance to research and figure out the path ahead, he told her that he wanted to date their neighbor, who was eleven years younger than him.
The OP found it odd that her husband already had someone lined up that he wanted to date, and experts explain that this kind of behavior is not what polyamory is about. It’s not a band-aid solution to wanting to cheat on one’s spouse. People can identify the red flags by seeing how collaboratively their partner approaches this kind of decision in the first place.
Image credits: DC Studio / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The poster obviously didn’t want her husband to start dating people so soon, but after he began throwing tantrums, she didn’t know what else to do. At the same time, he also got mad when she wanted to go on dates or meet someone new, which shows how imbalanced their dynamic was.
Eventually, the OP began to feel insecure about how much her partner was fawning over their neighbor, and she told him to delete her number. The problem is that the man still secretly kept in touch with the other woman, and his wife only noticed because of how suspiciously he was acting.
When it comes to monogamous or polyamorous relationships, they can only work if partners are on the same page and respect each other’s boundaries. According to psychologists, if there is a mismatch in a couple’s relationship style that can’t be fixed over time, then it might signal that they’re incompatible.
In this case, though, the woman still wanted to hold onto her marriage despite her husband’s red-flag behavior. Apart from this, she was also managing the finances of their family, and clearly, having to face all this on her own was taking a toll on her mental health, which is why she asked folks online for advice.
What do you think the woman should do about her husband’s behavior, and do you think she should stay in the marriage or leave him? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this situation.
Folks sided with the woman and told her that her husband was just using polyamory as an excuse to cheat on her
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She also makes most of the money and does all the cooking and cleaning? This is either fake or she's got literally no self esteem. The man brings absolutely nothing to the table. Toss him.
I think it's real. Judging by the writing, it seems the OP has very low self-esteem and doesn't recognize just how deeply wrong all of this is. She blames herself. Manipulative people like her husband thrive on this dynamic. He has a home, food, and most everything provided for, so why would he get a divorce when he can just continue with the stability AND have fun? Sounds like he has been manipulating her for a very long time.
Load More Replies...There is no "coming out" as poly and you can't spring this on a partner like that. This guy seems like trash and it has nothing to do with being poly.
It doesn’t sound as if he’s poly at all but rather just a sleazy jerk. He wants to bang someone at the bustop but his wife isn’t allowed the same freedom. I laughed when she said he “came out” as poly. 😆
Load More Replies...You're not poly if in a relationship with someone who isn't poly. If you want to sleep around, or even date around but you have a partner that's not into it that's a type of open relationship or a DADT arrangement. Poly requires clear boundaries and not only consent from all involved but typically a relationship (not necessarily se.xua.l) between all involved. If someone doesn't even know which terms to use, they are definitely lying to you.
"Poly requires clear boundaries and not only consent from all involved but typically a relationship" None of that precludes one partner being poly and one not. One partner can definitely be fine with another dating around, and totally not want to date around themselves. Precluding your partner from having the same choice is a problem.
Load More Replies...Honestly, if you’re asking yourself “How do I stop spiraling and regain control of my life?” I think you already know the answer. From what you described, your husband isn’t just “exploring polyamory.” It sounds more like he wants to open the relationship because he’s already interested in someone else. That’s not ethical non-monogamy that’s reframing infidelity. On top of that, he’s not contributing financially, he’s not helping with household responsibilities, and most importantly, he’s not providing emotional safety, reassurance, or stability. Those are not “extras” in a marriage. They are the foundation. You don’t sound like someone spiraling. You sound like someone exhausted from carrying the weight of a relationship alone. Ending it would hurt. But a year from now, you might look back and realize it was the moment you chose yourself. you’re parenting an adult who wants the freedom of a teenager someone more interested in “exploring” than in building a partnership/.
OP needs to talk with a divorce lawyer. This guy is playing her like a $2 fiddle. I'm sure that once he gets his "freedom" the (almost) AP will drop him like a hot rock. I was down the same road myself and when I finally said fvck this and left the whining started. It will be the same if OP puts her foot down and gives her husband the ultimatum to get his head out of his a$$ or get in the wind. His mid-life crisis is not the family's problem to deal with.
Man wants a harem. He can't let OP go because he wants her too. She's supposed to find him to be all the man she needs. Dump him!
Polyamorous, my a$s. He wants to bang someone else and he wants his wife's permission. "Struggling with monogamy" is code for "I want what I want and don't want to control myself. " Man needs therapy, then couples counseling.
It's so sad that something that is a beautiful show of love and trust is now used by cheating @ssholes that twisted it all around...
I'm so sad for the kids here. Their father is a sociopathic satyr and their mother is a dimwitted doormat with so little self esteem and intelligence that she lets this man destroy her without even putting up a fight. She just rolls over and does nothing to help herself or her children. Even NOW she's still blaming herself. What hope do they have with parents like this? I hope she gets some therapy or something to develop a backbone and can be a better example for her children, who are of course going to suffer because of this nonsense she's indulged. Anyone with a modicum of sense would have shown him the door after his little confession.
She also makes most of the money and does all the cooking and cleaning? This is either fake or she's got literally no self esteem. The man brings absolutely nothing to the table. Toss him.
I think it's real. Judging by the writing, it seems the OP has very low self-esteem and doesn't recognize just how deeply wrong all of this is. She blames herself. Manipulative people like her husband thrive on this dynamic. He has a home, food, and most everything provided for, so why would he get a divorce when he can just continue with the stability AND have fun? Sounds like he has been manipulating her for a very long time.
Load More Replies...There is no "coming out" as poly and you can't spring this on a partner like that. This guy seems like trash and it has nothing to do with being poly.
It doesn’t sound as if he’s poly at all but rather just a sleazy jerk. He wants to bang someone at the bustop but his wife isn’t allowed the same freedom. I laughed when she said he “came out” as poly. 😆
Load More Replies...You're not poly if in a relationship with someone who isn't poly. If you want to sleep around, or even date around but you have a partner that's not into it that's a type of open relationship or a DADT arrangement. Poly requires clear boundaries and not only consent from all involved but typically a relationship (not necessarily se.xua.l) between all involved. If someone doesn't even know which terms to use, they are definitely lying to you.
"Poly requires clear boundaries and not only consent from all involved but typically a relationship" None of that precludes one partner being poly and one not. One partner can definitely be fine with another dating around, and totally not want to date around themselves. Precluding your partner from having the same choice is a problem.
Load More Replies...Honestly, if you’re asking yourself “How do I stop spiraling and regain control of my life?” I think you already know the answer. From what you described, your husband isn’t just “exploring polyamory.” It sounds more like he wants to open the relationship because he’s already interested in someone else. That’s not ethical non-monogamy that’s reframing infidelity. On top of that, he’s not contributing financially, he’s not helping with household responsibilities, and most importantly, he’s not providing emotional safety, reassurance, or stability. Those are not “extras” in a marriage. They are the foundation. You don’t sound like someone spiraling. You sound like someone exhausted from carrying the weight of a relationship alone. Ending it would hurt. But a year from now, you might look back and realize it was the moment you chose yourself. you’re parenting an adult who wants the freedom of a teenager someone more interested in “exploring” than in building a partnership/.
OP needs to talk with a divorce lawyer. This guy is playing her like a $2 fiddle. I'm sure that once he gets his "freedom" the (almost) AP will drop him like a hot rock. I was down the same road myself and when I finally said fvck this and left the whining started. It will be the same if OP puts her foot down and gives her husband the ultimatum to get his head out of his a$$ or get in the wind. His mid-life crisis is not the family's problem to deal with.
Man wants a harem. He can't let OP go because he wants her too. She's supposed to find him to be all the man she needs. Dump him!
Polyamorous, my a$s. He wants to bang someone else and he wants his wife's permission. "Struggling with monogamy" is code for "I want what I want and don't want to control myself. " Man needs therapy, then couples counseling.
It's so sad that something that is a beautiful show of love and trust is now used by cheating @ssholes that twisted it all around...
I'm so sad for the kids here. Their father is a sociopathic satyr and their mother is a dimwitted doormat with so little self esteem and intelligence that she lets this man destroy her without even putting up a fight. She just rolls over and does nothing to help herself or her children. Even NOW she's still blaming herself. What hope do they have with parents like this? I hope she gets some therapy or something to develop a backbone and can be a better example for her children, who are of course going to suffer because of this nonsense she's indulged. Anyone with a modicum of sense would have shown him the door after his little confession.









































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