When is it time to go exclusive in a relationship ?
413866
i don't think any relationship should ever be anything other than exclusive.  i just don't see how an open relationship benefits anyone involved, someone is just going to get hurt in the end.
73621
As long as you are honest about your intensions up front. I am recently divorced and dating several men. But they all know I'm not looking for a committed relationship I'm just looking to meet people and see where it goes.  I don't talk to them about the other guys, but I do keep it casual. It all depends on the people your dating and where they are at in life. If they are mature, they understand the difference of causal dating and "cheating".  But be aware... if you see someone is really starting to develope strong feelings for you... be fair to them!\n\nGood luck and have fun. There is nothing wrong with getting to know several people.
574083
That's up to you and when you feel ready for one. Why not just casually date for now and not allow yourself to start falling deeply for someone?
225494
Not at  all. But if, you begin to ponder this while dating some one perhaps, you should stay single. Monagamous relationships are not for everyone and just for those who are mature to hande it.
1112359
If the relationship is going to have a future be honest. It's something taht should be said, but not until you have established a trusting relationship.
703176
You're the only one that is able to make that decision.  If you think that you are ready and want a relationship, then go for it.  If not, wait a little while until you are able to commit fully and whole-heartily.
434965
If you are fighting all the time and you truly feel that there is no fixing it then maybe it is time to end things. It will certainly not be easy but in the long run I think both of you will be happier. I don't recommend, however, jumping into a relationship right away with the girl that you have known for a long time. Take some time and be single for a while. If the girl you have known for a while is truly someone you would like to be with then wait until she won't be just a rebound girl. Go out and have fun and give yourself time to get over your five year relationship.
241363
If you want a commitment, be it a monogamous relationship, marriage, or whatever it is you mean (you didn't specify), and you have let your partner know and he has rebuffed you, I'd say move on.  If you don't want the same thing, it's time to find someone who does.
363971
Lets see a year is really more than enough time for each person to get to know the other person.  Its good to take that time to see if you even want to be with that person.  A year is full circle and is therefore sacred.  You can take that statement however you want but if more people took that time then maybe more relationships would last.  Its too easy to fall into the sack at the beginning but will it last or was it lust? So i would say its good to wait.  Too many people out there just sleeping around and not thinking about consequences until its too late.
413731
This is a really sensitive issue.  Your boyfriend seems like he has real commitment issues.  The best thing to do would be to sit down and have a little chat.  Tell him you want to be in an exclusive relationship and nothing else will do.  After your chat, you should both sit on the couch and drink some heavy lager and eat a couple of bowls of bran each.  Then you will both find out what your a-holes are really for you couple of mincers.
88196
Yes. And being in an "exclusive" relationship is not old-fashioned.
853255
Why not continue to stay in the "friends" mode for a while?  Let it run its natural course, your relationship, that is. ;.D  Continue to grow in your own life, and enjoy the communications between the two of you.  Don't try to force things to happen, and if it is meant to be, you will know when the time is right.  Time allows you to really get to know someone, and their quirks!
333118
Depends on what you mean by "serious." If you mean "exclusive," then that's fine. Our school-age relationships are part of the way we learn how to treat others later in life, and you're both learning about commitment.\n\nIf by "serious" you mean "sexual". . . it's definitely unhealthy, no matter how long you've been seeing each other!
987690
You just got out of a 4 year relationship and you are ready to jump into a new one after two weeks? You contradict yourself you said you told him you knew he was dating others ..he denies it but tells you that he needs to compare if it was worth it to leave one for the other? Anyway it's ok that he is dating others considering you aren't in a committed relationship, you are just dating. Guess what you can date others too! Don't make someone your priority when you are only their option. I, quite frankly, think it's a lil soon to be jumping into a new relationship so quick but that's your decision to make. Keep dating the guy but don't make yourself completely available to him, create a challenge. Also date other people and let him know about it. After all the two of you aren't exclusive, unless he makes it that way. Just take it slow and do what a psychologist does best, analyze.
730799
Why is just the weekends you see him?  He could be married. If you know he isn't and it's just a question of schedules or locations then you should talk about moving in or changing something that will fit your needs.  You don't need to move in together as its only been a year but maybe moving closer together or spending a few nights over at each other's place would be in order I would think. \n\nAs you guys aren't exclusive yet go see the other guy there's nothing wrong with seeing if you are making the right decision.  But I'd also but the boyfriend on notice that you aren't happy with the way things are and that you seeing other people isn't out of the question.  As I'm sure it's in his realm of probabilities as well.  I don't know his line of work or why you only see him on the weekends so I can only speculate.\n\nHowever one thing I'm sure of.  If he knows of the situation and hasn't done anything about he doesn't plan on doing anything about it.
254253
Six months seems like a long time.  Usually after just a couple of dates you start to know if you love someone.  After six months you should pretty much know if this relationship is going to be long term and the word love should be something easily given.  Maybe I'm just quicker to love than some but six months seems like forever.\n\nIt is obvious how important those three little words are to you, and I agree.  I think you are at a place where all you can do is sit him down and talk to him.  Ending a relationship is always hard and before reaching that point I think it is important to make sure you know absolutely from the other person their feelings on the issue.  Then you can honestly make your choice without having made an assumption.
1077919
Think about the times when you are not with this guy, do you feel like your relationship is helping you or hurting you?  It sounds like you could be in an non-exclusive relationship, which is OK as long as it's not causing either of you more harm than good. \n\nI would suggest that you examine your own feelings as best you can and decide if you want to ask this guy for a committed, exclusive relationship - Is he really what you want? Once you tell him that's what you want and clearly define it, then you can see what he says.  If you feel you can trust him offer to wipe the slate clean and pursue an honest monogamous relationship with him.  Then if he strays it's time to move on.  \n\nJust be sure that continuing a relationship with this guy is what you want. If this whole situation is driving you crazy and upsetting you, take that in to consideration.\n\nA breakup is painful, but it will get better.  Staying in a bad relationship can just keep the distress alive.\n\nWe learn many lessons in life, most of them are not easy.  Everyone here can give you their opinion, but none of us are you.  Ask yourself "Am I a happier and better person over all by staying in this relationship?"  And Listen to your answer from within and follow it.