Sex therapist Jessa Zimmerman welcomes back Candace Sjogren, author of “Polyagony,” to discuss how parents can navigate consensual non-monogamy with children. They emphasize that many parents don’t plan for integrating relationship structure with parenting, especially when opening a relationship after having kids, and that conversations must be age-appropriate, focused on safety, love, and belonging—not sex. Sjogren describes “slow roll” disclosure (different families, dates, “special friends,” then partners), highlights risks when children discover things via technology or accidental exposure, and recommends poly-informed therapy and child-centered approaches like play-based talks, giving kids agency over privacy and introductions, and reinforcing special one-on-one time. They also cover introducing partners, cohabitation (roommate framing, separate space), agreements about roles, and recovery after mistakes, with the key takeaway to move slowly and be discerning about what children need to know.
00:00 Show Intro
00:46 Why Poly Parenting Matters
03:50 Most Parents Don’t Plan
05:35 Age Appropriate Disclosure
09:48 Out or Keep It Private
11:43 Telling Teens After Opening Up
13:58 Helping Kids Process
15:54 Kids’ Privacy and Boundaries
18:05 Agency and Parent First
19:29 Giving Kids Control
20:40 Special Time and Jealousy
22:08 Introducing Partners Gently
25:53 Moving In and Boundaries
27:24 Parenting Roles and Agreements
30:26 Real World Mistakes
33:07 Key Takeaways and Resources