How To Tell If Your New Beau Is A Serial Monogamist
If you've ever used the term serial monogamist, chances are you were teasing your friend who's always in a relationship. You know who we're talking about, right? That friend who's always jumping right into a new relationship immediately after a breakup. What does being a serial monogamist actually mean? According to PsychCentral, a serial monogamist spends as little time being single as possible; they're constantly bouncing from one relationship to the next. Some serial daters prefer short-term relationships, while others are interested in something long-term.
It probably seems like they're moving too fast between relationships, never taking a break. While your friend's relationship status may not be affecting your love life, what about when you start getting involved with a serial monogamist? Maybe you've heard about his track record, and it's starting to worry you — but should it? The only way to determine if your new beau is a serial monogamist is to do some investigating yourself. If you're suspicious about his dating tactics, keep an eye out for these warning signs.
He has a long dating history
If you were looking for a red flag, here it is. One of the biggest tell-tale signs of a serial monogamist is an extensive dating history. For example, say your new beau is 30 and started dating around age 16. Since then, he's been in 24 relationships — that's almost two per year! Sure, you could look at that glass half-full and say he must be such a good guy if that many women want him, or you could be reasonable and identify the red flag right then and there.
There's a difference between a man who's charming and draws lots of female attention and a man who uses those to his advantage to make sure he's never single again — but why? How does one become a serial monogamist? A person may have an addiction to the feeling that comes with getting into a new relationship. It's almost a euphoric high, and once the feeling's gone, they're ready to move on to the new relationship to feel that way again.
He lacks independence
Another serial monogamist trait is a lack of independence. One partner has become so used to depending on the other that they typically lack any sort of decision-making skills on their own, like picking which toppings to put on the pizza. You may also notice them changing their behavior, likes and dislikes, and opinions to match yours, but on the other hand, some monogamists couldn't care less about your views on important topics. It could go either way.
Additionally, serial monogamists have difficulty leaving your side and end up losing most of their friendships because of it. They want to spend time with you and only you. Sure, it sounds nice in theory — someone wanted to hang out with you and shower you with love all the time — but in reality, it's quite unhealthy. If your new beau makes you feel bad when you make plans with your other friends, it's time to reevaluate the relationship.
He doesn't care about meeting your family
Meeting the parents is a big step in a relationship! It shows your partner you're serious about them and your future as a couple. First impressions are lasting impressions, especially when it comes to how your family views your new beau. In fact, how your parents portray your S.O. sets the precedence for the rest of their relationship with each other. Couples typically introduce their partner to their family within the first two months of dating, per MarketWatch, but some experts say they should be waiting much longer, like four to five months.
A serial monogamist, on the other hand, shows no interest in meeting your family at all. They may be extremely close with their own family, but they should express the same interest in forming a bond with yours. If they do bring you home to meet the parents, it's a sign they may be ending things soon. If things seem like they're moving too quickly, they probably are. In this case, it's time to have a talk with your beau about maybe slowing things down.