Staying Together For The Kids? When casual sex might trump true love

Dear Duana, Stuart and I parent well together…and that’s it. Our kids, adopted from abusive backgrounds, are doing well, but I’d like to find a way to conquer my loneliness while maintaining their stable homelife. Would an open relationship work, where we each pursue real love elsewhere but stay together for the kids? Dear Jeffrey, many might say you’ve hit on the perfect compromise~but I wish you’d just asked if casual sex would work out okay. Here’s why…

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Q&A from "Gay or Straight: What's the difference?"

Wise Readers, Why do gay men usually stay together longer than lesbian women, and what can everyone else learn from that? How do fairy tales hurt the straight people? What’s happening with global attitudes towards homosexuality? And really, is sexual orientation a choice at any point in life? Read on!

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Gay Or Straight, What’s The Difference?

I’ve been happily partnered with Michael for the past 17 years. Straights who know us are surprised by how long we’ve been together, or they want to know the secrets to our success. Are there really differences between gay and straight long-term relationships? Dear Steven, Congratulations! You found a good man before I did. Even better, you’ve kept your relationship alive and thriving for many years. What have you and Michael got going on—and what can *everyone* learn from it?

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Q&A from "Stepmarriages: Keeping love alive when they're somebody else's kids"

Wise Readers, Bioparents and biokids need alone-time—but why might stepdad/stepkid alone-time be dangerous? What if you know you don’t like the kid—should you get married anyway? Is there an evolved psychology behind Evil Stepmothering? How long does it take to make Steps feel like Family? And how many baggages can you carry? Read on!

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Stepmarriages: Keeping love alive when they’re somebody else’s kids

Dear Duana, I love my wife, but we argue about how to discipline her kids; she often sides with them in front of me, and they’ve learned I have no traction. I feel like I’m last in Anna’s affections and priorities. I don’t want to give up—but I won’t live with brats who’ve got their mom’s backing. Dear Scott, Just two years into a stepmarriage, most men are no longer supervising, disciplining or interacting much at all with the stepkids. And the divorce rate is literally 50% higher for remarriages with kids. Don’t give up; step up. Here’s how to save your marriage—and what to avoid.

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