The Office Spouse…

They know you well…they know your favorite colors, your favorite foods, your hopes and dreams. When you come into the office, they sense your mood…they emphasize with you and what you are going through. I am talking about “the office spouse”.  If you have a close relationship with a co-worker…is it possible to keep the relationship platonic? Ask yourself the question…can you keep sex out of the relationship? And what about emotional affairs? Can you keep your mind clean and free from sexual fantasies?  How do affairs start? They start as friendships or “buddies”.  Sharing personal information is the beginning of the road to an affair. Difficulties in marriage must only be shared between spouses and their therapists. Even listening to the difficulties shared by a member of the opposite sex will place you in the realm to where an affair can begin.

Here are a few suggestions…

1. Don’t share personal information at work, especially to members of the opposite sex.
2. NEVER be alone with members of the opposite sex, especially at lunch or after work. Don’t car pool alone with a member of the opposite sex if at all possible
3. Keep alcohol out of the equation altogether
4. To sum it up…NEVER talk to members of the opposite sex about any personal subjects. Keep from developing emotional ties, as this is the beginning of affairs.
5. Speak of your spouse often…let people know that you and your spouse are one.
6. Simply refuse to listen to personal information about a member of the opposite sex.

If you have had an affair, there is a way out that doesn’t have to destroy a marriage. The Penewit Center can help, but you have to make that first step and contact us….healing can take place….