Chris's article

It is all too easy to take relationships—monogamous or polyamorous—for granted. A holiday like Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to take a pause and celebrate the important people in your life. There are lots of different ways to enjoy quality time with loved ones while poly dating. Some ideas are staying in and enjoying a movie together or enjoying a picnic in an outdoor area.

No matter if you prefer big romantic gestures or you feel less is more, our guide on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day while in polyamorous relationships will help to show your affection to the people you love.

Plan for an intimate meal or other activity at home

You may have a tradition of going to a nice dinner every Valentine’s day with your spouse or partners. Getting dressed up and designating special alone time helps fill up our love meters. Want something more intimate? Grab some groceries (or order them if possible) and cook dinner together. It’ll take more work than just ordering off of the menu, but it may lead to some new traditions.

Go for a vacation

Is there any place you have been wanting to go? Valentine’s Day could be a chance to tick that place off your bucket list. What’s more, you will be on vacation with the people you love. How’s that for a win-win situation? Alternatively, you can have a staycation. If working from home has you suffering from cabin fever, why not rent out an actual cabin nearby? Or, rent out an Airbnb in your city and spend a night or two in new surroundings. You can order in or take advantage of a kitchen if you’re renting out an apartment or home.

Anticipate jealousy and failed plans

Valentine’s day can bring up some overwhelming feelings. One partner might feel jealous of another’s Valentine’s day gift. A secondary partner might feel left out if you and your nesting partner decide to have a special dinner—alone. 

If your plans are suddenly thrown out the window by unexpected events, expect disappointment all around. It’s always good to have something to fall back on in our poly dating opportunities. Polygamy dating requires us to manage expectations around holidays like these. If you are making plans individually with your partners, iron out the details well before Valentine’s Day 2023—and account for any potential disruptions.

It can be hard to dispel the need to go all out lest you risk looking like you don’t care about your relationships. Emotionally healthy and rational adults shouldn’t put too much pressure on themselves for a single day. But love makes us act in ways we never thought we would, for better or for worse.

Have a backup plan

If you were counting on a dinner reservation to make your Valentine’s Day, you might want to rethink your strategy. If anything else, COVID-19 has taught us to adapt and always prepare for the unexpected. You can sign up for something online that’s unlikely to be canceled, like an online class or a live music show. Play your favorite board games or video games together. If you’re not much of a gamer, have a movie night complete with movie theater fares like buttered popcorn, candy, and sweet drinks.

Don’t forget about your platonic relationships

Valentine’s Day is known for declarations of romantic love, but modern Valentine’s Day celebrations should include platonic loves, too. The past three years have shown us not to take time for granted, so Valentine’s Day 2023 is an opportunity to show friends and family that they are loved. Send your best gals and pals bouquets, chocolates, or their favorite snacks. Text them meaningful messages listing the qualities you love about them and memories with them you cherish most.

The best gifts aren’t just material things, either. Poly dating on a budget is possible, and the best memories of Valentine’s Day 2023 will be spending time with your loved ones, not with an extravagant gift.

Published By: Sister Wives 

Matchmakers Inc

The life of polygamy, or polyamory, comes with many quirks along with its many benefits. Day to day, as your polyamorous relationships grow in size and strength, you’ll find yourself in little situations you may have never expected. From sleeping arrangements to table settings, the unique approaches each relationship employs as solutions create one-of-a-kind lives to enjoy together. Every day cannot be a cakewalk. Sometimes you just want to relax and be normal. Embracing your weirdness and rejecting the stress it can bring will keep you, and your loved ones, as the individuals you’re meant to be. If you’re new to polyamory, or only considering the option, here are a few things to expect along the way. 

Did I mention sleeping arrangements? Yeah, this one can be very creative for poly groups or families. There may be core relationships involved or fully autonomous situations. Polygamist families with a patriarchal core, in which multiple heterosexual women are committed to one man, have to take turns with their husband. If you plan to become a sister wife, it’s important that a family you’re interested in joining is the right fit for you. Two couples that decide to form a poly relationship may keep separate homes entirely. It’s important to consider what living and sleeping arrangements will work for you before getting too involved in a situation that will leave you feeling cold. If you’re a single person that begins dating a couple you can’t make assumptions about the direction it may go. Ask them! Most people interested in poly or polygamy dating are perfectly comfortable telling potential partners what they’re interested in, or open to. Don’t bend too far toward their expectations and away from your own. Spend more time finding people that fit you. 

Shifting sexual boundaries is also more prominent in polyamorous relationships. The very nature of polygamy or polyamory already requires some thinking outside of the box, so interest in sexual exploration often comes with the territory. It’s possible to remain very conservative but important not to enforce unwanted restraints on any of your partners. Keeping an open mind and open conversation will keep relationships happier and healthier in the long run. If you have personal boundaries that simply cannot be tested, don’t wait until you’re heavily involved with a relationship before expressing your feelings. There are no rules except for the rules you and your partners agree to. Be ready to encounter anything, and be respectful, while asserting what is right, or wrong, for you. Being poly doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your standards but it does mean you should be respectful of others’ curiosities. 

Finances are a bit more complicated for polyamorous relationships as well. Five people sharing one bank account sounds confusing, and maybe even dangerous. A lot of people, even monogamous people, prefer to keep their finances separate nowadays. Either way, sharing of finances in various forms might come up, so it’s best to develop your preferences early so you know how much sharing is comfortable for you. Five incomes under one roof can be a beautiful thing, but one bad apple can ruin it for everyone. Keep an eye out for overspenders or people that are misleading about their net worth. Two unemployed grifters under your roof are no way to enjoy a poly life. 

Presenting your polyamorous relationship to the world around you can also be tricky. One general rule to follow is actually a simple fact: your relationship is ultimately nobody’s business but your own. There is no shame in saying you’re just friends to people you know will not be supportive. Don’t feed their ignorance and give them a reason to make your life difficult. Five people checking into one hotel room might cost a little extra, but you owe no explanation to the front desk. Ordering a table for five on Valentine's Day might raise a few eyebrows, but it’s none of your business what other people think of you, just like it’s none of their business that you’re on a date with multiple people. A woman doesn’t become a sister wife, and nobody practices polyamory, for the entertainment of others. Validation can be a very nice thing but learning to let go of the need for it is even better. Otherwise, you find yourself seeking it all the time. Enjoy your poly date and the beautiful world you’ve built for yourself. Let the rest of the world do their own thing.

When you join a polygamist family or find a polyamorous relationship, you make a choice to walk to the beat of your own drum. Shedding the constraints and standards society set up for everyone will lead to a few difficult situations. People that are gatekeepers feel a strong need to enforce what they believe is the correct way to live and love. Gatekeepers do not like change or opposition. They have been fighting against anything but the ‘nuclear family’ for centuries even though there is absolutely nothing to suggest monogamy is even a healthy way to live. Knowing you’ve made the choices that are right for yourself, and that you’re building a life to make yourself happy, will pay off eventually. Don’t get discouraged and give up on the poly life. Even if your table for five needs to only be at home for a while, you will find your flow and the world outside will eventually lose its daunting edge.

Published By: Sister Wives 

Matchmakers Inc

The year 2023 is upon us and it’s time to look ahead to new and better things. One of the still developing revolutions that will come to fruition in our modern era is a more honest approach to love, sex, and relationships. Many of the old rules surrounding gender roles and relationship norms no longer apply, or, at least, only apply by choice. The days of ‘good ‘ole boys’ and their ‘little ladies’ aren’t over, they’re improved because we now have a choice to play the roles we desire in our life, like polyamorous relationships. 

Polyamory roles no longer have to suit the expectations of others. Divorce rates are declining for the first time in decades because marriage doesn’t have to feel like a prison to many people any longer. Entering into a polyamorous relationship ouples finding the value in dating outside of their relationship, either apart or together, according to the rules that work for them. Removing the scourge of sneaking around behind each other's backs is creating stronger and more loving relationships. Sharing truly is caring. Here are five considerations for exploring polyamory either with your current partner or if you want to meet someone new.

1. Use your imagination. Taking time to consider all of the possibilities and honing in on the relationship styles and situations that suit your desires will ensure you’re on your correct poly path. Maybe becoming a sister wife and enjoying a big family is right for you. Maybe dating an existing couple and being involved with them both is your cup of tea. Perhaps you want to avoid serious commitments and only date a few people at a time for intimacy and fun then keep moving along. The only limits on your polyamorous relationships are those agreed upon by everyone involved. Do keep in mind that the desire to sleep around freely and never have any level of commitment is not polyamory. That’s fine if it’s your thing, but polyamorous relationships are more than just hookups, even if they aren’t serious at any point. Think about the respect you’d like from others while imagining the intimate situations that turn you on and you can narrow down the scenarios that will work for you. After some thoughtful consideration, it’s time to get out there and mingle!

2. Avoid delusions. Polyamory is not a magic bullet that will take out all of the common difficulties relationships can face. All of the same red flags when meeting others still apply. In fact, you have added red flags to look for. Stay away from people that use polyamory as an excuse to avoid commitment or to cover up for sex addiction. The trendy factor is also a major red flag. Getting involved with someone that thinks it’s cute to be poly for now, but will want to tie you down in six months, will bring nothing but heartache eventually. Be honest with your potential partners and forget any notions that eventually you’ll have a ‘normal’ relationship. Don’t use poly dating to fish a monogamous relationship out of it someday. It’s unfair and unseemly, and you’re only going to hurt yourself and the people you love.

3. Focus on enjoying yourself. It’s easy to feel alone and a bit desperate when you’re not making any connections that might lead to something more. The need for affection and intimacy is certainly a strong force within all of us. Don’t lose sight of the importance of self-love, as well as love for everyone already in your life. Whether you’re a polygamous husband seeking a new sister wife, a single lady looking for a few Mr. Rights, or a couple looking to date a third, neglecting the existing love and friendships already in your life will only feed feelings of loneliness or desperation. Polygamy or polyamory shouldn’t be mechanisms to complete you. They should be sources to share the whole person you are with other whole people you love. The ability to enjoy yourself, even when you are alone, puts a big green flag over you. Losing the need for others to feel complete is a gift we should all work to give ourselves.

4. Find the appropriate resources. Some people enjoy going out on the weekend while others enjoy community-based social events such as Poly Big Fun to be held in Spring 2023 in Texas and International OpenCon Catalonia in Summer 2023. There are many more online resources for everything, from looking for a sister wife to finding a couple interested in a third just for some fun. It’s great to explore all the options out there, but important not to get yourself into uncomfortable situations. To put it in extreme but simple terms, if you have prudish tendencies it’s advisable to avoid swingers. Don’t judge yourself for your comfort zones. Know your comfort zones and learn to be confident about enforcing your boundaries. Not one thing about being polyamorous suggests being a pushover. Be open, be honest, be yourself, and you will eventually find the people and places that bring your unique version of joy.

5. Remember who you are, and what you want. Honesty is almost always the best policy. We’ve all had that friend that always changed for every person they dated. Not changes that are natural, but in ways that made it clear they were out of touch with any personal identity and seeking an identity through a relationship. These people may be perfectly happy living for someone else, but something will always be missing for those that never really know themselves. Being in touch with your true personal desires and interests will help you be a better lover and friend. It will also help keep you from getting involved in relationships or situations that will never make you happy. Never compromise your core self to satisfy others when it comes to your life and happiness. Embrace yourself first, then others.

With every new year comes a new lease on life. Something about putting a year behind us feels like leaving the past behind. A new year is a great time to step outside of our boxes and explore things we may not have dared to explore before. Keeping these considerations in mind will make sure you’re keeping it reasonable and thoughtful. Exploring the possibilities of polyamorous relationships in life doesn’t require you to do anything but get out there and meet new people. Even if it never goes anywhere you could make some great new friends along the way. You and your current partner might only spice up your own relationship, but where’s the harm in that? You’ll learn more about yourself, your partner, and your relationship at the very least. Keep it honest, keep it fun, and keep your love growing in whatever way is right for you.

Published By: Sister Wives 

Matchmakers Inc

Polyamory refers to a committed and consensual relationship between three or more people. It is a principled form of non-monogamy. Many polyamorous relationships are trusting and committed. The emotional needs are distributed throughout all partners. If you are considering ethical polyamory, one of the best places to explore is a polyamory dating app. So, what characteristics do the best polyamorous dating apps have? Read on to find out more!

Matchmaking System

An ideal polygamy dating app uses state-of-the-art algorithms to analyze every user profile to find each one’s perfect match. This can improve user experience and user satisfaction.

Features That Allow You To Create A Detailed Profile

Polyamory is unconventional, and if you are not specific and explicit about this, there is no way anyone can tell. So, you should always be explicit to your date that you are polyamorous. By having features that allow you to list crucial characteristics, sexual preferences, and lifestyle choices, you are helping yourself find a better match for you.  If your app allows you to link the account of your other partner, include your partner in your profile with his/her consent. This allows you to be honest and transparent about who you are seeing and leaves the candidates to decide if your lifestyle matches theirs.

Video Chat

The best dating app would have a video chat function that allows you to make voice or video calls to each other. This helps you to verify each other’s identity and make sure that you look exactly like you do in your profile photo. It also helps you to forge deeper connections with the person that you match with.

Interactive Experience

An ideal dating app would provide flexible ways to create one-to-one messaging, and group chats. It should also allow one to comment directly on a photograph. The group chat allows you to form polyamorous relationships. This interactive experience develops a sense of community among users of the app.

Good Reputation

An ideal dating app is the best if the users of the app say so. Check out your dating app’s testimonials. The comments should be quite telling of the quality of the app. It should contain all the points that have been mentioned in this blog post. Of course, there might be a few negative comments, but just a few negative comments are likely to be a fluke if they are in a sea of positive reviews.

If you are looking for a dating app for polyamorous or polygamous people, check out Sister Wives! It is a dating platform that helps people find or become a sister wife. It is also a networking platform between sister wives to share experiences on what it is like to be in a polyamorous relationship. Sister Wives has many positive testimonials that attest to its enjoyable and meaningful experience. Sister Wives also has many educational and thought-provoking articles on polyamorous relationships that can help you to understand more about yourself or your loved one who is considering polyamory. If this interests you, join us today!

Published By: Sister Wives 

Matchmakers Inc

Being a second wife is not a common road to take, especially when it comes to marriage practices. You must have gone through a mirage of ups and downs with marriages or relationships before committing to a polygamous relationship. As someone considering it, you may be wondering what it is like to be a second wife, having to share a husband with his multiple wives. Read more to find out more what it is like to be a second wife.

Plan The Perfect Wedding

One of the myths of being a second wife is that the second wife is left to have an undermined courthouse wedding that has no grandeur. And this lack of power and status bleeds into the marriage. However, this is far from the truth. You are free to plan your own wedding, however large or small. Ultimately, this is your wedding. Try to come up with creative ideas for your wedding that you and your husband can remember. For instance, the ceremony is an important aspect of the wedding that can be specially organized. If you have something special with your husband, including that in the ceremony can set you apart from the other wives.

Commitment And Respect

Most people who decide to be in a polygamous relationship tend have gone through divorces, and know what works and what does not. Because of this, people in polygamy do not commit for the sake of it. They know exactly what they want, and will not treat the marriage as a joke. Through this lens, being a second wife is good as it makes one treat others with respect. It can be a humbling experience.

Enrich Your Life

It is important to lay it down to your husband that even though he has multiple wives, you still want a life that is unique to the both of you. During your marriage, you should plan  activities that you two enjoy doing together. This can help you set yourself apart from the other wives.

Running into Ex’s

One thing that you need to embrace is that as your partner has had previous relationships and he may have emotional baggage. People in polygamous relationships tend to have many failed experiences in romance or marriage due to the judgements that the polyamorous community can be faced with. Because of this, the chances of running into an ex while you are out with your partner increase. To overcome this, do not get flustered when your partner mentions an ex. After all, both of you are committed to each other so, there is no need to get jealous or heartbroken. Remember that the next time you run into his ex, he will be introducing you as his wife. Embrace it and be proud of your marriage with your husband.

If you would like to know more about polygamy and polyamorous relationships, check out the Sister Wives website. Sister Wives is a dating platform that helps people find or become a sister wife. It is also a networking platform between sister wives to share tips like the above on what it is like being a sister wife. Sister wives also have many educational and thought-provoking articles on polygamy and polyamorous relationships. If this interests you, join us today!

Published By: Sister Wives 

Matchmakers Inc

Polyamory refers to a committed and consensual relationship between three or more people. It is a principled form of non-monogamy. Many polyamorous relationships are trusting and committed. The emotional needs are distributed throughout all partners. If you are considering ethical polyamory, one of the best places to explore is a polyamory dating app. In this post, we will share the top tips on how to navigate a polyamory dating app to find long lasting relationships.

Select An App That Is Suitable For Your Lifestyle

Explore all sorts of dating apps. Each dating app is similar in many ways, but there are many nuanced differences too. Read the testimonials and the aims of the app. For example, Feeld prioritizes alternative lifestyles and open relationships. In your profile you can add a partner to show who you are seeing. Another app called #Open is special as it informs users of events catered for polyamorous people. Lastly, OKCupid, which you may be familiar with, allows you to label yourself as polyamorous and you can match with other polyamorous people.

Honesty Will Go a Long Way

Many people try to put on a façade on dating apps, as the desire to impress is just too strong. However, you need to be transparent with yourself and to others so that you can find your best match(es). You should make clear on your dating app profile that you are open to polyamory so that others who swing the same way as you can connect with you. If your app allows you to link the account of your other partner, include your partner in your profile with his/her consent. By being honest, you can attract the right people.

Specificity Is Key

Polyamory is unconventional, and if you are not specific and explicit about this, there is no way anyone can tell. So, you should always be explicit to your date that you are polyamorous. If your match is not into this, this would spare both of you the time.

Costs Of Using Dating Apps

You need to work out the costs of using dating apps. Many apps have a subscription fee that allows you to get access to people who “liked” you. This makes it easier for you to find your match instead of plowing through decks of candidates. Work out your budget and see if you are keen on investing. There are also emotional costs of using a dating app. Sometimes you may match with someone who is attractive and likable, but they are not open to polyamory. This may cause disappointment. This is okay! Be respectful towards them and wish them the best.

If you are looking for a dating app for polyamorous or polygamous people, check out Sister Wives! It is a dating platform that helps people find or become a sister wife. It is also a networking platform between sister wives to share experiences on what it is like to be in a polyamorous relationship. Sister wives also have many educational and thought-provoking articles on polyamorous relationships that can help you to understand more about yourself or your loved one who is considering polyamory. If this interests you, join us today!

Published By: Sister Wives 

Matchmakers Inc

Polyamory is a kind of accepted and principled non-monogamy. It entails committed relationships between two and more people. What this means is that you and your partner can have multiple partners. Another word that sounds like polyamory is polygamy. These two are not the same! Polygamy strictly involves marriage while polyamory does not. Read on to find out how polyamorous dating works!

Polyamory Structures

There are multiple polyamory structures. For instance, there is polyfidelity where partners vow not to be sexually involved with anyone who is not part of the group. A triad describes three people who are in a relationship. A quad, as the name suggests, involves four people in a relationship. Lastly, a Vee is formed when one person dates two people but the two people are not dating anyone. These are just the structures that have been observed currently. If you are in a polyamorous relationship, it is crucial that you and your partner(s) define the kind of structure that you want. This makes the relationship easier to sustain.

Cheating in Polyamory

Polyamory, although unconventional, is still a committed relationship, and as with committed relationships, commitments can be violated. If you cross the boundaries defined by the partners in the polyamorous relationship, it might be considered cheating. What cheating means in polyamory is relationship dependent. For instance, you and your partners may have agreed that going out with others without informing beforehand is unacceptable. If you do that, it may be considered cheating or infidelity. Another example is that you and your partners may have agreed to not have any emotionally intimate or sexual relations with people outside of the throuple. If one violates this rule, it can also be considered infidelity. The rule of thumb is this: clear communication between your partners to define the boundaries of your relationship.

Healthy Polyamory

Polyamory can be sexually, emotionally, and mentally healthy for people. Just like monogamous relationships, polyamorous partners have values such as commitment and duty to others. If you can find someone who shares the same values as you do, as in any kind of relationship, you can flourish and be fulfilled.

Jealousy over Your Partner’s Partner

Clearly, polyamory has its own set of challenges that distinguish it from monogamy. How does one distribute the love and attention between all partners in the relationship? Surely it is difficult to manage this emotionally. For example, your partner may spend more time with the other partner, leaving you in a jealous mess. It is important that you and your partners work out a schedule on who to spend time with. This way, you minimize straining the relationship. You can also plan dates to do something special to set yourself apart from your partner’s partner. This can boost your self confidence and self-esteem.

If you would like to know more about polyamorous relationships, check out Sister Wives’ webpage. Sister Wives is a dating platform that helps people find or become a sister wife. It is also a networking platform between sister wives to share experiences on what it is like to be in a polyamorous relationship. Sister wives also have many educational and thought-provoking articles on polyamorous relationships. If this interests you, join us today!

Published By: Sister Wives 

Matchmakers Inc

Polyamory refers to a committed and consensual relationship between three or more people. It is a principled form of non-monogamy. Many polyamorous relationships are trusting and committed. The emotional needs are distributed throughout all partners. You may be surprised to hear that there are multiple types of polyamorous relationships. The ‘types’ are meant to define the boundaries of each relationship. To find out what they are, read on!

Triad

A triad is also called a throuple. It is a romantic and sexual relationship between three people. In this world, there is no such thing as a love triangle!

Quad

A quad relationship is similar to a triad, just that there is one additional person. It involves four partners who are sexually or romantically involved with each other.

Vee

A vee relationship constitutes one person dating two or more people who are not romantically or sexually involved with each other. For example, A is dating B and C. But B and C are only dating A.

Hierarchy Polyamory

As the name suggests, a hierarchy polyamory is one where the relationship dynamic is skewed. One relationship is more important than the other. For example, if A marries B, the relationship between A and B would be much stronger. And if A gets together with C, with B’s consent, the relationship between A and C will be much weaker than A and C. Hence, there is a hierarchy. A and B will prioritize each other.

Non-hierarchical Polyamory

Antithetical to a hierarchical polyamory, a non-hierarchical polyamory is one whose relationship dynamic is balanced. Everyone values each other and is committed to each other.

Solo Polyamory

In a solo polyamory, you prioritize your own individual desires rather than make decisions with your partners. You want the freedom to choose your own life, without being committed to any other partners in the relationship.

Kitchen Table Polyamory

In a kitchen table polyamorous relationship, the family-centred relationship is prized. All members come together to talk to each other about their life problems and solve them together. Not everyone is sexually or romantically involved with each other. Crucially, they are emotionally connected and show familial support for each other.

Mono-poly Relationships

In mono-poly relationships, one partner is polyamorous while the other is monogamous. It seems contradictory because how can someone who identifies as monogamous allow his or her partner to be polyamorous. However, this is possible. As adults, each of us can define our own wants and needs but not deprive the other party of theirs. If members of the polyamory understand the boundaries and agree on them, it can still be a healthy relationship.

If you would like to know more about polyamorous relationships, check out Sister Wives’ webpage. Sister Wives is a dating platform that helps people find or become a sister wife. It is also a networking platform between sister wives to share experiences on what it is like to be in a polyamorous relationship. Sister wives also have many educational and thought-provoking articles polyamorous relationships that can help you to understand more about yourself or your loved one who is considering polyamory. If this interests you, join us today!

Published By: Sister Wives 

Matchmakers Inc

The show’s seventeenth season premieres on September 11, but a sneak peek shows fans what’s to come. In the season preview, Christine Brown faces off with now ex-husband Kody about why he doesn’t want to pursuit divorce. Her questions come after years of no intimacy and repeated offenses on Kody’s side. The season hasn’t premiered yet, and already, the drama is stirring up fans’ emotions.

Why did Christine leave Kody?

In November 2021, Christine and Kody’s 25-year-marriage ended. In Season 17, fans will discover how and why.

The newest mini clip reveals Christine asking Kody why he doesn’t want to let go of their union despite their lack of intimacy and dysfunctional relationship. She claims that of the 800 days she had lived in Arizona (she has since moved to Utah), Kody had only spent three full days with her and their shared kids.

Exasperated, Christine addresses the camera during a confessional, appealing for Kody to “Man the f—k up.” She implores Kody to be honest with her about the possibility of divorce.

Why do unhappy couples stay together or stay married?

It’s common to see partners stay together despite being deeply unhappy. This may be due to the interdependence theory or the idea that a partner will not leave a relationship if they perceive that the benefits outweigh the costs. Let’s review other factors that affect or compound this theory.

Fear of change

As children, we develop different attachment styles (of which there are four) that later develop into relationship styles. This is influenced by our early interactions with our parents or primary caregiver. About 20% of people develop an anxious attachment style.

People with this attachment style feel uncomfortable and scared when separated from their partner because their parents were unavailable or emotionally unpredictable throughout. Married people with an anxious attachment style are more likely to stay in a dissatisfied relationship regardless of their happiness. To them, the relationship centers on a fear of abandonment and insecurity.

Beyond attachment theory, many people fear the changes that divorce would bring, not just for themselves, but for their children and family. For example, a sister wife may not want to uproot her life away from their village, especially if she does not have family or friends elsewhere. This network is crucial for childcare, emotional, and social support.

Pooled resources

A more practical reason exists for staying in an unhappy marriage, too. Many people stay with their partners because they do not want to or cannot incur the costs of childcare and/or living expenses alone. When a sister wife wants to leave a marriage, it may not be feasible if she is a stay-at-home parent or is only working part-time.

Social expectations

In many cultures, marriage is expected when someone reaches their mid-twenties or early thirties. This expectation can deter many people from leaving a dissatisfying marriage, especially if it means they will be single parents or co-parents as a consequence. There’s a stigma surrounding single parenthood, and many people tough it out until children reach adulthood before parting ways.

Religious beliefs

Divorce is discouraged in many major religions, especially inside Catholic and Christian communities where married partners may feel a pressure to stay together for the sake of honoring a holy doctrine. In the Church of Latter-Day Saints and Mormonism, a legal divorce is allowed, but couples must also cancel a temple sealing if they were married in a temple.

How do you approach a marriage problem?

According to the CDC, every 2.3 couples of 1,000 get a divorce. According to an article by The Royal Society Publishing, households with three or more wives have higher instances of divorce due to co-wife conflict, on top of wife-husband struggles.

Divorce is the result of a breaking point. Before a sister wife or husband reaches this decision, there are ways to address marriage problems that result in a strengthened bond.

Be honest

It’s strange. Sometimes, we’re closed off to the people we are supposed to share everything with. In the Sister Wives Season 17 sneak peek, Christine confesses that she’s not very close to sister wives Robyn and Meri, which is a surprising fact given that she’s been part of the family for over two decades. She also raises the question of Kody being cowardly by not talking to her openly about divorce.

Dishonesty or holding back information only leads to mistrust. On the other hand, honesty paves the way to compassion and understanding. Without these values, conversations end in more arguments, confusion, and miscommunication.

Shift mindset from “me” to “we”

When we’re upset, it’s easy to blame, deflect, and retaliate. Using “I” statements instead of “you” statements redirects the conversation from accusatory to earnest. Voice your feelings honestly, but remember that it’s you and your spouse against the problem not you against each other.

In the sneak peek video from Sister Wives, Kody and Christine make repeated “You” statements. The argument escalates, when the intent is to have a fruitful conversation.

Discuss issues and come up with solutions together

One of the biggest gripes fans have with Kody is that he seems to make decisions without consulting everyone in the family—and without considering their input with genuine care. Working as a team takes care of practical challenges and strengthens the bond between sister wife and husband.

Teamwork also makes every person in the household feel seen and valuled. Otherwise, insecurity can create even more problems in a marriage.

Show up to difficult conversations with love

Long-term relationships and marriages breed familiarity, and as the saying goes, familiarity breeds contempt. This isn’t—and shouldn’t be—always the case, though. Instead of approaching disagreements with a defensive and combative attitude, show up with love and compassion.

Be eager to truly understand why the other person feels the way they feel, and listen without feeling the need to defend yourself or prescribe a solution for the both of you.

Spoiler alert: Christine and Kody split up

Although it’s too late for Christine and Kody, whose divorce we’ll get to see play out in Season 17 of Sister Wives, there’s still hope for other marriages. If you’re going through a rough patch in your marriage, the best time to make your amends is now. Marriage is rarely easy, but when we put in the work, we can build a loving, respectful, beautiful partnership that lasts.

Published By: Sister Wives 

Matchmakers Inc

It’s official. Season 17 of Sister Wives will premiere on September 11, 2022 at 10:00 PM on TLC. The final episode of Season 16 premiered on February 20, 2022, which was part three of a multi-episode special where Kody and his four sister wives (Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn) spoke to interviewer Sukanya Krishnan about key family events over the past year.

What’s different in Season 17?

In January of 2022, Meri Brown confirmed Season 17 was in the works. Recently, TLC revealed that the show picks up where Season 16 left off—right after Kody and Christine split. Their 25-year-marriage ended in November 2021 with Christine claiming that the lack of intimacy drove her to make this momentous decision.

In the one-on-one talk session with Sukanya from Season 16, Christine also divulged that Kody changed his attitude towards Christine when she began asserting herself and saying “no” when she would normally acquiesce.

We don’t know the details of Christine and Kody’s conversations, but Christine tells Sukanya that she was surprised to learn of Kody’s grudges during therapy. This, too, may have contributed to their shocking but expected divorce.

Will Season 17 skip through the past year?

Season 16 of Sister Wives culminates in Kody and Christine’s divorce in November 2021, although the last episode premiered in February 2022. With the new seasoning debuting in September 2022, fans are curious to see whether producers will fast-forward to the present-day after featuring the split, given the significant time gap.

Fans are also speculating whether Meri or Janelle will announce a split from Kody before the new season airs. Both sister wives have expressed unhappiness in the marriage for a while, and Christine’s departure may have finally emboldened them to leave the plural marriage. Either way, fans are excited for new Sister Wives content this fall.

Published By: Sister Wives 

Matchmakers Inc