New Relationship Level Unlocked: Meeting the Parents

Congratulations! You are now one step closer to tying the knot with your partner and spending time together, forever (fingers crossed). What’s next? Well, if you want to completely embrace and get involved in the life of your partner, there’s this one crucial thing you still need to do. You guessed it right—meeting your girlfriend’s parents.

Mind you, whether you’re planning to put a ring on your girlfriend’s finger or not, at some point in the relationship, you will have to meet her parents. It could happen anytime, even at your most unexpected and, well, inconvenient time. So, getting ready in advance is an ace up your sleeve.

You may be asking, “How long should you date before meeting her family?” Or, “Is two months too soon to meet her parents?” Most of the time, it really depends on one’s upbringing. If you’re dating a foreign partner, knowing her cultural background will save you from a culture shock. If you grew up in a Western culture, you may find parents from these countries a lot more different than those from South America or Asia. Talk to your partner and ask for some guidance. Knowing your girlfriend’s background is the key.

Now that you are about to unlock the next milestone in your relationship, it’s time to take some steps if you want to move up a notch. Having the perfect gift ideas for your girlfriend’s parents can help, but let’s not forget what your main goal is. Check out these practical tips on how to make this event successful:

5 Practical Tips When Meeting the Parents of Your Partner

Yes, it’s true—meeting your girlfriend’s parents does not always end well. Sometimes, things can get a little messy and complicated when parents are involved, especially if your girlfriend came from a different culture.

So, is meeting the parents a big deal? It depends on you and your partner. If you think you’re ready to do it, here are some practical ways that will help you whether you’re dating a modern or a conservative woman.

1. Do your research before meeting them.

One practical way to push the odds in your favor is to “know your enemy.” Don’t get us wrong, you don’t want to get on the bad side of your prospective in-laws on your first meeting.

What you need to do is gather important information from your best source—your partner, especially if you plan on getting them gifts as a show of goodwill. That’s almost always the best way to get perfect gift ideas for your girlfriend’s parents. Who knows, getting them that perfect gift might just help you to turn that “enemy” into an “ally.”

2. Get in touch with them online before meeting them in person.

If you haven’t met her parents yet, you could make the first move by messaging them and introducing yourself through social media. This can help reduce any tension or apprehension between you and her parents when you finally meet in person.

As you go along, send them photos of the two of you together and keep that friendly relationship going. Occasionally updating them with the joyous moments of your life and relationship can help build their trust and confidence in you.

PS: Make sure you do this with your girlfriend’s counsel. Interacting with her parents online is a bold move, especially if they aren’t tech-savvy or are more on the conservative side.

3. Choose a Perfect Time and Place to Meet

If you want to do it the right way, make sure to do it at the right time, at the right place. Ask for suggestions from your partner about a perfect place to meet them.

If you already found the right place, the next thing on your list is to schedule and choose the best time. (Tip: Make sure they are in a good mood). It would be better if you arrive there before they do. Don’t forget to prepare the perfect gift ideas for your girlfriend’s parents and make a good first impression.

4. Practice Proper Etiquette

This really depends on one’s cultural background. If you’re used to voicing your opinion on just about anything, you may want to tone that down a little especially if you’re dating a woman from a different culture. Do your research on what to do when meeting her parents and save yourself from having potential monster-in-laws.

Start by doing research on the right introduction or choosing the right outfits to meet the parents. Remember, your physical look is the first thing to be judged. So, your aim is to avoid that look of judgment from them by presenting yourself in the best way possible. And oh! Try to say their name correctly. Some parents love it when you do that. It means you’ve made an effort.

5. Work on Your Conversational Skills

Avoid showing off how smart you are. Impressing the parents is one thing, but trying to prove you know more than them is unwise. There’s no harm in flexing your brains, but you have to know your audience. The last thing you want to do is offend your girlfriend’s parents. When meeting the parents of your significant other, leaving a good impression is crucial.

Moreover, having conversational skills will come in handy when the topic gets a little too far. You can start a topic that will make everyone comfortable. Keep in mind that you have to make it exciting, not taxing for everyone.

The main goal in meeting the parents is to reassure them of your good intentions.

Have the best gifts for your girlfriend’s family? Nice! Bought nice outfits to meet the parents? Awesome! However, these are not guaranteed to win their hearts. Above all, you have to realize that what matters most is that you were able to express your good intentions.

You also have to take note that it’s not only you who is feeling anxious. This is also a notable moment for your girlfriend’s parents. Meeting a potential son-in-law can be a nerve-wracking experience for them as well. Trust that they also want this to work out. Try to set a calm, inviting, and comfortable atmosphere when you meet them.

So, have you figured out what to do when meeting her parents? Not yet? That’s fine. The fact that you’re considering it is enough to show that you’re on your way to becoming ready to do that. But keep in mind that whether they approve of you or not, the result should not come between you and your partner. Your relationship should not be measured based on this matter alone.