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I Think ‘Parallel Play’ Is the Secret to My Happy Relationship

Parallel play started as a childhood concept, but it can help adults feel close without smothering each other.

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The other day, a friend of mine asked how it’s been living with my boyfriend, and my immediate reaction—other than exclaiming “It’s been amazing!”—was to tell her all about our favorite activity: parallel play.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t parallel play for kids?

Originally, the concept of parallel play was meant for children learning to coexist with one another. Essentially, they’d play with their individual toys or engage in their own activities while in the presence of other children. But parallel play is actually quite important in adulthood.

The best connections allow you to do your own thing while still........

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