The crooked path to where we are

When you are beginning your Taken In Hand journey, think of it as a rather exciting and fun but potentially dangerous exploration in the dark, and on no account expect everything to go smoothly and fall into place instantly. Keep a sense of humour, and be prepared to backtrack and try a different route. It will take lots of feeling about in the dark to find your way, as Tevemer's fascinating account shows.

Films with Taken In Hand overtones or references

I would love to publish more film reviews. Perhaps this piece by BlueRose will inspire you.

A lifetime of denial ends

BlueRose calls it a lifetime of denial, but in some cases it is just an inability to pinpoint what we want. (I'm still working on it, myself!) In other cases, the denial is functional and important because the psychological autonomy of the person is too fragile at that time to handle a power exchange relationship.

Alternative therapy

Warning: you may want to skip this provocative and daring article by LifeOfCuriosity if you have a weak heart or if you are not in a private location. However, lest that mislead you, rest assured that this article is nothing to do with casual encounters, and everything to do with the close and safe bonding of a loving relationship.

A plea for help: I need a man!

Please forgive the title: it doesn't have to be a man; it could easily be a woman!

The subjection of women

To all the men who understand: thank you. To all who don't: I hope that this will help.

Listening isn't weak

Men sometimes (understandably!) fear looking weak or being manipulated so much that they are intransigent and don't listen when it would really be better if they did. What is a man to do?

I love obeying my husband

Tabatha was delighted to discover that Taken In Hand is not about abuse.

My experience of taking my wife in hand

Forty-Something Husband shares his own story of what Taken In Hand has meant to him. If you are a man new to Taken In Hand, or if you know such a man, you won't want to miss this!

Getting it right takes time

When people discover Taken In Hand they often want to jump straight in at the deep end and make radical changes in their marriages. It really isn't that easy. It takes time and patience and lots of mistakes along the way. Thinking of it more as evolutionary changes rather than revolutionary changes is more realistic.

On being the servant-leader in my relationship

Stephen keeps in mind the “servant” bit of “servant-leader”. No wonder his wife spoils him!

The unexpected benefits of surrendering control

Learning to surrender control has had several pleasant side effects for Otter. For example, she is now much more relaxed and lets the future take care of itself.

A brief introduction to Taken In Hand

KrosRogue describes the Taken In Hand relationship in Biblical terms, but this short piece will appeal to Christians and non-Christians alike.

Alpha males and the women who love them

Laura on what she loves about real alpha males.

Not all men will get it unless you explain

Have you ever walked away from a man who would have taken you in hand if only he'd known that that was what you wanted? Has a woman ever walked away from you because her “take me in hand” hints did not get through to you?

How to tell him you want a Taken In Hand relationship

Any thoughts or helpful ideas for this reader?

Do with me what you will

Jeff describes so well that state in which a Taken In Hand woman feels safe, loved, protected, cared for, completely peaceful and driven to please him, her eyes saying “do with me what you will“, her heart open, her mind and body, his.

What would you do if your spouse said he or she no longer wants this kind of relationship?

Perhaps it would depend what he or she wanted to replace it with.

Patience, integrity…and being a little sweet always helps

The alpha in a male is not always obvious.

Do you keep a journal?

Could this help a relationship moving in a Taken In Hand direction?

Introducing Kim.... “girl alpha seeks all man alpha”

Like most Taken In Hand women, Kim is what Eric would categorize as “resistant” – a natural leader rather than naturally submissive, and feminine, but not in a stereotypical way.

The carrot or the stick?

Don't be misled: the form often belies the substance.

Too feminine?

On how I sometimes get an earful for being “too feminine”, and how I feel about that.

Stereotypes

Taken In Hand is not about enacting a stereotypical role in a stereotypical relationship, so if you have a few qualms about being defined in terms of stereotypes, that is not a bad thing. If being expected to act a stereotypical role feels like lying, don't do it. And certainly don't regard your desire to be honest and maintain integrity as a character flaw.

Is she afraid of losing control? Topping from the bottom?

Women sometimes say they want a Taken In Hand relationship but then when they actually start a relationship, seem afraid to give up control. If you are a man who is frustrated that your woman is not acting the way you think she should be acting, or if you are a woman who is being accused of not being submissive enough, not being feminine, or controlling with complaints, hit the read article link now!

My life, my choice

Choosing to be in an unconventional relationship can be tough, but it can be well worth it.

A good leader accepts that he is only human

In a position of power, a man must be mindful of his fallibility.

Closing the gap

This warm and insightful piece illustrates the fact that even those in the closest relationship can sometimes inadvertently misinterpret the other's signals and think that the other is being a bit distant. It also shows how being able to have fun and laugh together can break any tension and put things back on track.

Is Taken In Hand a moral matter?

Is Taken In Hand a right and a duty – compulsory – or is it something an individual can choose or not choose as he or she prefers?

Why do some prefer a Taken In Hand relationship to a conventional relationship?

Answers here!

Barbie is the doll, Ken is just an accessory.

A timely warning that not everyone is ready for a Taken In Hand relationship, and especially not one involving corporal punishment.

How is this different from other male-led relationships?

Many male-led relationships exist that are not Taken In Hand relationships. What are the differences?

Power connectivity

When Sam talked to Missy and connected up the Taken In Hand power cord in their relationship, the energy generated was thrilling!

What qualities does a man need to be a good leader?

Your thoughts, everyone!

How should a woman dress?

What's a girl to do?!

When your love doesn't want to get married

What happens when one person does not want to marry the other despite the fact that the other really wants to get married?

First there were the boys... then there was Bobby

Most men were intimidated by Bella. But not Bobby.

Should the woman take the man's name on marriage?

What's in a name?

Force majeure

What if...

Natural flow

On natural flow as opposed to unnaturally dominant or submissive behaviour, with advice to men to put the woman before their own whims, and not to expect to be in charge of everything all the time.