Janie Lacy

1) EMOTIONAL RISKS - There is a strong possibility that you or your spouse can start to develop feelings for a swinging partner. Will you then consider polyamory? That is the practice of having more than one loving relationship at the same time, with the full knowledge and consent of all parties involved. Usually in the swinging lifestyle it also involves becoming friends with your partners. This opens the door for bonding to occur which can easily lead to emotional attachment.

2) JEALOUSY - What if you or your partner gets jealous? Many partners that participate in the swinging lifestyle have admitted to this at least once during their activities. You entered into the lifestyle wanting to have fun, what happens when it is no longer fun? It is important for you to know that jealousy is very common in the swinging lifestyle, so it is not a matter of IF someone will get jealous but WHEN they will get jealous.

3) DIVORCE OR BREAK UP - What happens when one partner wants to stop the sexual activity and the other wants to still engage? It is not that easy to just stop such activities just because the other wants to call it quits. Relationships are already under stress and strain without adding other people to the equation. Swinging will not solve any satisfaction in your relationship. In fact, chances are pretty high that it will make it worse in the long run.

There are other risks like STDs and breaking the rules “within the rules.” Is it really worth it? You want to consider what are our goals for our relationship and how can we accomplish it without all the risks? Besides individuals can rarely divorce sex from relationship in the long-term. Whether we want to admit to it or not, when we have sex it establishes an emotional bond that is very difficult to ignore. When we add other multiple partners, it almost always leads to confusion and hurt feelings.

About the Author: Relationship Expert, Janie Lacy, LMHC offers expert advice to Local and National TV News, Relationship Websites and provides phone, skype or face-to-face counseling in the Orlando area. Janie has a passion to reach out and help people grow and mature through difficult life situations. She has a relational approach and a unique ability to connect with individuals. Drawing upon her broad range of experience in private practice, not-for-profit organizations, hospitality and the medical industry, she has helped countless people in many arenas of life. She offers keen insight on all aspects of relationships – family, marriage, parenting, dating, and personal growth.