How to navigate through the first parents and in-laws meet up

Meeting the parents of your partner for the first time is very nerve-racking. A thousand scenarios might play in your head with a thousand different outcomes, each more anxiety-inducing than the other. The harsh truth is that this is only the first step to taking your relationship to the next level. The second step is when your parents and your partner's parents meet. And while it is stressful enough to cause a panic attack, you have to keep calm if you and your partner have been thinking about marriage.   

If well navigated, this meeting will foster a good relationship between both sides and make your parents rest easy knowing that your in-laws will be a great addition to your support system. If you are anxious about this upcoming meetup, let us help you ease your nerves a little by providing you with some trusty tips and tricks for this critical meeting.

Keep calm 

Talk to your parents 

Before going to the meeting, make sure that you have talked with your parents. They want the best for you and will try their hardest to get along with your in-laws. Give them a heads up about the people they are about to meet so that they, too, can make the interaction more fluid and easygoing. 

While meeting at either of your homes is a good option, things can get more stressful, thus meeting in a public place like a restaurant or a coffee shop can be more feasible. A meetup at the restaurant also gives limited time for interaction, whereas at home the interaction can go on for very long which might not be a good idea, as it can make you more nervous. 

Talk with your partner 

Remember to sit down with your partner and talk about each other’s parents' likes and dislikes. This would be to ensure that the conversation will remain pleasant and if by chance it goes into the dislike territory, you can always steer it back. Look for common topics, for example, if both your fathers like making food on the barbeque, then make sure to start a conversation about this topic. Use the information gathered to help your parents bond.   

Offer to pay when the bill comes 

Make sure to have fun