A great new article about polyamory on Salon.com.

‘Scenes from a Group Marriage’

Read the letters. Something to think about.

XO

Chuck

On another note though, do you have backups of these blogs in case something comes along and erases them. These are your memories, and nobody likes to have those unintentionally erased, especially if you’d like to share them with your progeny someday.

Poly, pansexuality, monogamy, homo, hetero, bi… whatever.

Maybe that makes me an odd parent- certainly the odd man out at the baseball games and school picnics I attend with the button-down, red-state crowd.

I can live with that.

Being open about sex? It’s not going to damage the children–it might help their self esteem, knowing that sex is something to be enjoyed and not having to feel dirty or bad about their own natural urges.

The earlier commenter who referred to a liberal father and a repressed mother also rang bells for me. I used to let my daughter watch certain UK comedy TV shows that had ‘adult content’, as long as I watched them with her. Of course, I got the “Daddy, what’s a lesbian?” questions as we watched, but always answered her quickly, briefly and without embarrassment. I still got glowers and irritable comments from my (now-ex) wife though.

Sure, there might be a little initial awkwardness if/when your children discover your blog, but so what? No harm done. If the leading Western deity has a problem with what you’re doing I’m sure he’ll get in touch personally, without the need for intermediaries – after all, he’s omnipresent and omnipotent, from what I hear ;o)

I stumbled across your blog about two weeks ago, and I have to say that I find it captivating and your tenacity inspiring.

I am in my late 20s and grew up with a sexually repressed mother and an open and expressive father (may he rest in peace). The reason I felt compelled to comment comes from my own experiences growing up. It is obvious that my parents were not quite compatible in that department, which lead to problems early on in the relationship and ultimately lead to divorce.

As far back as I can remember my father had always fostered the sexual positive environment. He encouraged my asking questions, and gave me honest and truthful answers. He made no apologies in regards to his past exploits and offered these experiences as a learning tool for me, as strange as that sounds. He always had faith in me and my decision making and if I asked for privacy, it was given no questions asked.

My mother, however, never had the period talk, much less a sex talk with me and we do not share the same closeness. She falls into the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell” category in all respects including masturbation. I can recall one time when she caught me in the act and, well, I got in trouble and didn’t hear the end of it for a long, long time.

Long story short, I am a better person for having that small amount of freedom to experiment and learn what it is that I liked. Did I have moments of TMI where my father was concerned? Sure. But did I ever hold it against him? Of course not. It actually made me more comfortable around him.

So, in regards to your parents concerns, I can see where they are coming from, but it’s up to you to make the best decision for your own family, and I don’t think for one minute you will experience backlash from it. A little TMI? Sure. But if they are old enough and educated enough on the subject they will see it for what it is, rather than just a collection of encounters.

What this is, from my perspective is a journey into self expression, not just ho’in around, and your children will come to understand that as well.

Take care, and keep positive. XOXO

I think being ‘Child Positive’ is always the best attitude to have. There are enough assholes out there who will work to take your babies down as they stumble through their first couple of decades of life.

That said, be careful of TMI– not everyone is cut out for polyamory, and for those that are not, such experiences are not always positive, nor are they always able to be put into context what happened to them. That comes with age and experience– neither of which they have until they have, well, both!

XOXO

Chuck

I think there are worse ways to damage our children. There are worse things our kids could find out about us. We protect our kids from sex, but it’s perfectly ok to see violence. I think your open mindedness and bravery is revolutionary.

I said “them?”

Yes, she has multiples.

Good for her. I wish I had this knowledge when I was 19. :-)

Think of all of the years of bad sex she will miss…