After splitting with Jim Carrey, her boyfriend of five years, Jenny McCarthy has found love again. People reports that the actress is very happy with her new man, Jason Toohey, 35, a Las Vegas-based pirate performer. McCarthy, 37, says she has learned a lot from her previous relationships. “I was a girl who pretended. I would say I liked things when I didn’t,” she says. “I knew if I wanted to grow, I needed to make myself happy before I could begin to have an equal relationship with another man.” And the most important lesson she learned? Honesty is the best policy. “If he wants Chinese [food] and I don’t, I say it,” she says. “If he wants to go out and I want to stay in and watch Dancing with the Stars, I tell him so… Our relationship is stronger because of the honesty.”How can you have an equal relationship?
Cupid’s Advice:
Aretha Franklin had it right when she sang, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me!” In order for a relationship to work, you need to have mutual respect and equality. Cupid has some ideas on how to make sure you and your partner are on equal footing:
1. Decide together: If one of you is making decisions for the other person, you’re not in an equal relationship. Make sure that you listen to each other’s ideas so you can come to mutually beneficial conclusions.
2. Tell the truth: Follow Jenny McCarthy’s lead and be completely honest and open with your partner. These two things are essential in any healthy relationship. Make sure he doesn’t always get his way or vice versa. If you don’t want Chinese tonight, tell him!
3. Money matters: Financial issues are often the biggest source of relationship inequality. While you don’t both have to make the same amount of money, make sure that the relationship doesn’t become a financial burden. If it seems like your mate is overextending himself, try to even the score.
