Conversations in Polyamory

When I've conducted seminars on polyamory, I've use a basic outline of some of the topics I cover during my lectures and support groups.  An excellent place to start a conversation...

For consideration:

• How do you define polyamory?  The meaning of words have power.

Be Yourself

• Consider your wants, expectations, and needs.  Do they align with your partner/s?
• What will you do for self-care and support?  Do you have someone/s to talk to about your challenges?
• Be aware of a key element of polyamory, fair is not equal.  What do you think that means in your relationship setting?

Be Honest

• How will you support open communication?
• What are some of your strategies for time management?  Do you know your various priorities?
• How do you experience jealous?  What strategies do you have to work through jealous?

Be Prepared

• How will you handle relationship changes, such as an increase or decrease in intimacy?  What about an unexpected pregnancy?
• Will you be "out" or "in" about your polyamory?
• What are some successful ways you can date and grow your relationship settings?
• Consider what other's relationship obligations are, how will you take respect those obligations of others?
• Discuss everyone's goals in the relationship.  Is everyone on the same page?

Be respectful

• Remember that all persons in the relationship are people too...they have wants and needs as well as remembering they are people too
• Consider being friends with all elements of an alternative relationship setting  
• Addressing the care of all in the relationship, including handling issues such as New Relationship Energy (NRE) and other aspect of the relationship setting.

This skeleton may help bring into a discussion some of the needs of your relationship setting.  Any other ideas of what might be beneficial for a converation in polyamory?