Meeting Your Partner's Parents

In this article we are going to focus on the family. More specifically, we are going to talk about why we stress out when we meet the parents.

There comes a time in every relationship when you have already gone on almost every date imaginable, you have already met each others friends, you already know each others secrets and desires too...

Yes, there comes a point when there is seemingly only one task left to complete before your relationship enters the category of "Wow, this really is serious!"

Are you ready to hear what this event involves?

Here's a hint: it's all in the family.

Meeting your partner's family is a major cause of anxiety in pretty much every relationship dating bond. In fact, it has been reported to lead to 648 individual heart attack cases annually (okay, that statistic is 100% made up - but you get the point).

Why is this "rite of passage" so effective at creating stress?

A couple reasons exist so let's discuss each...

The first justification is that your partner's family is... well, their family!

meet the parents

And as the saying goes "it's all in the family."

Unlike friends or associates, you will be seeing these people potentially at every holiday and every special event for years and years - you will become part of their family life.

So the following questions naturally pop up:

What if they don't like me?
What if they don't approve of the relationship?
What if something embarrassing happens?
What if I say the wrong thing?

Those are a lot of " What if's " and you only have one shot at a first impression when you meet the parents. No pressure...Right?

The next reason for anxiety is that you understand the influence that this event will have on your partner.

Which scenario do you think is more favorable for your significant other and the relationship's health?

This particular fear may cross your mind: "If I don't get along with them, will my partner think twice about our relationship?"

...And there may be plenty more that fly through your head during those days leading up to the showdown.

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The important thing is to not focus on the family too much and to remember the reason you are going to meet these people in the first place - to progress the relationship.

In the continuation of this article (titled "Meet the Parents"), we will discuss specific approaches to make the adventure go as smooth as possible, as well as provide tips for staying cool and calm.

Good Luck!