Dear Dixie,
I’m 46, married, a mom of two daughters, and a busy career woman. I’ve been married to my husband for 20+ years and our intimate life has been going downhill for the past several years (he is almost asexual now). I still very much have my needs, which are even stronger than before! 🙂 Due to his lack of interest in sex, we chatted and agreed a few years ago that I may selectively seek pleasures outside of the marriage, as long as it doesn’t affect the family dynamics and I keep it 100% discreet.
He was fine with the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. However, after two very brief intimate dates with men (both during my work travels), I found that was too risky. Instead, I preferred a “no-strings-attached” relationships with women who were also seeking similar discreet relationships to enjoy lesbian sex. I was fortunate enough to meet a few amazing women in the last few years (who were also married and wanted to keep things discreet) and enjoyed those beautiful moments with them thoroughly ;).
Because of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy I have with hubs, I didn’t feel the need to share any of this with him. I may have mentioned some in passing very casually, but he never wanted to know the details anyway. I was also managing these relationships well despite being a busy career mom and it didn’t impact our family dynamics in any way.
But now I am dealing with a new situation where the woman I’m seeing right now would like to open our relationship with her husband and possibly have him included. I never had to deal with a similar situation before because the women I’ve dated were fine with keeping things discreet from their husbands for various reasons. I also very much preferred that arrangement. The woman I’m seeing now is 28 and has a 7-year-old son. Her husband is a tradesperson and quite good-looking too ;). But I am very concerned that including a third person may change the dynamics totally and I may not be able to have the same control and discreetness I maintained so perfectly over these years.
Can you please share your thoughts? Thanks a million!
Madison
This is just a slice of this article. Read Dixie Laite’s advice here in our new Midst Substack.
You’re among the first to hear the news: We’re building a new brand called The Midst, the gateway drug for the modern fortysomething experience.
Dixie Laite has been a second-grade teacher and mechanical bull operator, and for the past 25 years she’s worked for a variety of TV networks as a writer, editorial director, trainer, advice columnist, even an on-air personality. But primarily she’s trotted around New York City in one cowboy shirt or another, lurking around flea markets, gyms, and anywhere they’ll hand her French toast. Currently she lounges around her apartment with one husband, one dog, five parrots, and roughly 2,000 pairs of shoes. Dixie is the main lady behind Age Against the Machine, a column about empowering women over 50. Sign up for the Jumble & Flowdown newsletter to stay in the know about Dixie’s latest columns.
Follow Dixie on Instagram @dixielaite
Dixie Laite
By
RESOURCES
ON THE BLOG
In My Prime: interviews with women thriving in midlife
Pregnancy test and pregnancy over 40
Pelvic health: Everything women need to know
Adventures in Perimenopause, essays by women in perimenopause and menopause
What is perimenopause? An empowering guide to everything you need to know
SHOP
Jumble & Flow art prints, home decor,
and apparel on Society 6
36 gift ideas for every Zodiac sign and horoscope-loving friends
COMPANY INFO
Women's Health Glossary of Terms
6 of the best self-care techniques you’ll never find on Instagram
Ageism in the workplace
What are the best blenders according to ratings and experts?
Ready to find your flow?
What is middle age, and what age is officially old?
Get a 1-card reading for only $30
About us
Because over the hill is so over and done with
Jobs: We're hiring!
Submission guidelines
What happened to Venus Zine?
Be the first to comment