How to Introduce Your Partner to Your Parents

Research shows that an average heterosexual American teenager starts socializing with the opposite gender from the ages of 11 to 14. From the ages of 15 to 19, relationships become a central part of their lives. The strength of a relationship varies over the course of time.

Starting from merely giving the looks to munching on pathetic cafeteria food together all the way to falling for each other hook, line and sinker. Just when the two of you have considered yourselves the better halves of each other to infinity and beyond, one of you will feel guilty about not letting the birth givers know about your better half.

If you are feeling guilty for not sharing this major event of your life, it’s time to hit the headlines because, honey, when the anxiety starts to creep in, that is exactly when you introduce your parents to your partner. As scary as it may sound to you and to your partner, it is not. In this blog post, you’ll know the Dos and Don’ts involving the exclusive parents-partner meeting where your bundle-of-nerves partner will finally be introduced to your parents.

When to Introduce Your Partner to Your Parents for the First Time?

The determination of when to introduce your partner is loosely dependent on your own instincts. If you feel your partner is a trustworthy person and a keeper, there is absolutely no harm to make up your mind. Moreover, friends tend to know more about your partner then you yourself. It is always great to go discuss with your friends the chances that you should take. Social media groups are a good way to know if your partner is cheating on you. However, the moment you genuinely feel that you are positive about your partner without having any second thoughts that are when you introduce your partner to your parents for the first time.

Consent is Important

This is the first step and many a time, the story along with the relationship ends at this very moment. However, the relationships that don’t end here can go on till the very last heading. Introducing your partner to your parents comes after you have asked your partner if they would want to meet your parents. You can’t force them to do a certain thing because you want them to. You may find out that you are both moving at the same pace and it may come out to be a heads-up for you to look around and stop because you are moving way too fast. Hence, consent is important.

This meeting seems to have gotten on the guy’s nerves. Meetings like this are likely to take place if your partner doesn’t follow the steps.

Surprises, Surprises. Hint, Hint.

Once your partner has said yes or you have made him say yes, you officially take the second step of introducing your partner to your parents. You may have to work a bit here, but it is worth it. People have always loved surprises but one’s peak curiosity and excitement is seen when the suspense is there. So, it is really important to give subtle hints to your parents and keep the hype intact. This will do two things: a) you won’t have to remind them on the day of the meeting b) the abstruse and timely hints will keep them engaged thinking about the surprise along with having them prepared.

With your partner, on the other hand, you got to keep them motivated to be themselves, courteous enough and confident. Preparation is important beforehand no matter how easy peasy lemon squeezy you think your parents are. Because when it is about the child, lemons are pretty hard to squeeze.

Your Partner’s Confidence, Humility and Curiosity Can Do Wonders

Let’s put it this way. It’s an old analogy but fits your partner’s situation. Amongst two qualified candidates, a company’s board of directors is likely to hire the one who’s confident, empathetic and shows curiosity with changing facial expressions. Remember: High aptitude does not guarantee a job at all. While being introduced to your parents certainly does not mean going for a job interview, you can take the analogy as a paradigm to boost up your partner for the onslaught (kidding, lol). While it’s okay to be a bit anxious, it is way more important for your partner to finally be ready to be introduced to your parents.

A family sitting in a boat eating their lunch on a beautiful sunny day. Perhaps they had a great first-time meeting. .

My Dad Likes Squash. Learn How to Play It.

Yes, the caption does sound funny. This particular point really needs to be stressed upon. We tend to stay in the company of like-minded people. The same law applies to a parents-partner meeting as well. You have to know the likes and dislikes of your parents and tell your partner about it. Moreover, if your parents have certain attributes such as being short-tempered and being grumpy when a certain topic is talked about, your partner needs to keep that into mind. You wouldn’t want your partner’s first bad impression to determine him, would you?

Short, Concise and Precise

Long meetings involving all three meals of the day have proven not to be so fruitful for both parties. First meetings are supposed to be short and impactful. Parents-partner introductions are like friendships. Most of the time, short encounters lead to good and long-lasting friendships. You cannot expect your parents and your partner to fall for each other after a single meeting. You have to give it time and thought.

Fancy-Schmancy Can Have Repercussions

There is a preconceived notion that first meetings are supposed to take place at the fanciest of the restaurants where people go to take pictures for their Instagram and then leave the restaurant to grab some food to go from McDonald’s.

You don’t want your already twitchy partner to be sweating profusely in front of your parents and other customers because his belief in “one bad joke and he’s gone” is way too strong. The more comfortable your partner, the better the first meetings end up being. This is why first meetings should always be at home. If you want to make extra efforts, better make your partner’s favorite dish.