This article was co-authored by Jan & Jillian Yuhas and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Jan Yuhas and Jillian Yuhas are Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists and the Founders of Entwined Lifestyle. They specialize in helping individuals and couples work on effective communication, healthy boundaries, and lifestyle wellness. They have also been featured on media outlets such as Yahoo Lifestyle and Bustle. Jan and Jillian both hold a BA in Psychology from The University of Illinois at Chicago and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Adler School of Professional Psychology.
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Meeting your boyfriend’s parents is a great way to take your relationship to the next level. But if the idea of meeting the parents makes you shiver in fear, you’re not alone! While it can feel nerve-wracking, there’s no reason to worry—there are plenty of things you can do to win over your boyfriend’s parents.
Here are 13 tips to help you impress your boyfriend’s parents when you meet them for the first time.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you start a conversation with your boyfriend's parents?Jan & Jillian YuhasJan Yuhas and Jillian Yuhas are Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists and the Founders of Entwined Lifestyle. They specialize in helping individuals and couples work on effective communication, healthy boundaries, and lifestyle wellness. They have also been featured on media outlets such as Yahoo Lifestyle and Bustle. Jan and Jillian both hold a BA in Psychology from The University of Illinois at Chicago and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Adler School of Professional Psychology.
Relationship Coaches & Boundary SpecialistsFocus on creating a great first impression! To help, ask your partner if there is anything you need to be aware of prior to meeting them. -
QuestionWhat to talk about when you meet your boyfriend's parents for the first time?Jan & Jillian YuhasJan Yuhas and Jillian Yuhas are Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists and the Founders of Entwined Lifestyle. They specialize in helping individuals and couples work on effective communication, healthy boundaries, and lifestyle wellness. They have also been featured on media outlets such as Yahoo Lifestyle and Bustle. Jan and Jillian both hold a BA in Psychology from The University of Illinois at Chicago and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Adler School of Professional Psychology.
Relationship Coaches & Boundary SpecialistsWe recommend keeping the conversation amicable by leaving controversial subjects like politics, religion, money, etc. off the table until you have built a solid connection. -
QuestionWhat if the parents don't like you?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerFirst impression are important, but they aren't everything. If you feel like his parents don't like you after your first meeting, you can still change their minds! Talk to your boyfriend about why they might be hesitant about you or what you could do differently next time. You can also ask your boyfriend if his parents truly don't like you or if they just take a while to warm up to people.
References
- ↑ https://www.brides.com/how-to-make-a-great-first-impression-with-your-partners-parents-4103161
- ↑ Jan & Jillian Yuhas. Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists. Expert Interview. 19 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.vogue.com/article/date-night-meet-the-parents
- ↑ Jan & Jillian Yuhas. Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists. Expert Interview. 19 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.vogue.com/article/meet-the-parents-ways-to-avoid-awkward-situations-tips
- ↑ https://www.additudemag.com/first-impressions-adhd-adults/
- ↑ https://www.vogue.com/article/meet-the-parents-ways-to-avoid-awkward-situations-tips
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/fashion/weddings/tips-for-meeting-the-parents.html
- ↑ https://www.brides.com/how-to-make-a-great-first-impression-with-your-partners-parents-4103161
- ↑ https://www.brides.com/how-to-make-a-great-first-impression-with-your-partners-parents-4103161
- ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/g2234/meeting-the-parents/?slide=7
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/fashion/weddings/tips-for-meeting-the-parents.html
- ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/g2234/meeting-the-parents/?slide=9
- ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/g2234/meeting-the-parents/?slide=9
- ↑ Jan & Jillian Yuhas. Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists. Expert Interview. 19 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.vogue.com/article/meet-the-parents-ways-to-avoid-awkward-situations-tips