After dating someone for a few months, there comes a time when the dreaded question comes up: "So when are you going to meet my family?" Most of us have been through this at least once, and we know how nerve-wracking it could be; in fact, I myself just went through this situation not too long ago.
As a college student, I have friends that tell me all about their recent parental meetings, which nearly always turn out better than expected. Because we can all relate to having pre-meeting-the-family jitters, here are a few tips for those of you who are worried about encountering your significant other's family for the first time.
First and foremost, you should try your best not to worry.
The main person you have to impress is your significant other. At the end of the day, you're going to be dating your partner - not his or her parents. That being said, it is still important to try and form the best possible relationship with your potential in-laws. After all, if you end up staying together for the long haul, there's no doubt that you will be seeing them frequently. The comforting thing is that most parents simply want the best for their kids; if you make your partner happy, his or her family will most likely automatically feel inclined to like you too.
Secondly, make an attempt to form a connection.
As I stated before, you will probably be spending a lot of time with your partner's family members. To make things easier, you should be friendly, and bond with the family. It'll surely make gatherings, holidays, and family vacations run a lot smoother as time goes by. While your relationship continues to build and prosper with your partner, it would not be an oddity to begin to talk about the future; if you decide to get married later on down the line, you are going to be incorporating his or her family into your own family.
Even if marriage is not up for discussion yet, it is always nice to have his or her family's love and support. Family members will almost always be the first people you turn to in times of need - having a relationship with your partner's family can help in difficult times, which will, in turn, create a stronger bond between all members of the family, including yourself!
Lastly, it is important to be true to yourself.
Let's face it. Your true colors will shine through eventually. So why do people bother sugarcoating things early on in the relationship? In my experience, my partner's family prefers me to speak up and have a voice, as opposed to staying silent (which I have tried in a previous relationship). Odds are, your significant other's family is going to want to get to know you - they'll probably even bombard you with a myriad of questions.
What are you studying?
Where is your family from?
Do you have any hobbies?
Answer honestly! I promise that as long as you are passionate and sincere about your answers to their questions, they will love you for it.
Ultimately, having a strong, healthy relationship with your partner's family is fulfilling in ways that cannot even be described. Their mom becomes someone you confide in, their siblings become your own, and their pets become your new best friends.
Anything that is meant to be will be, so don't stress meeting the family too much! Instead, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of your new love life, and be excited to meet that person's family - it's a brand new chapter for the both of you.
Good luck!
