At what point do you introduce your romantic partner to your family?

Question

I have introduced several girlfriends to my parents and siblings. Eventually, I would prepare them with this warning: "After you meet my parents, as we are walking away, you'll lean over in my direction and whisper, 'You were adopted, weren't you?'"

If you are just dating casually, meeting parents is not important, but if you are dating to find a long term, monogamous partner, meeting each other's family is essential. So. . . at what point do you ask if he/she would like to meet your parents?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Living on my own... I probably wouldn't tell that many people unless it naturally came up.

Normally, I wouldn't think of it as a big issue... but my experience has taught me (by making mistakes like inviting them to meet after a month or two) that many of the people in my life can't really handle it.

My parents (both now gone) hated any relationship I got into... no matter HOW good the woman might have been... so I kept one short (bad) relationship a bit quiet. My mom flipped out when (long after the breakup), someone let it slip in front of her that this girl and I dated... and I had to downplay it (I was an adult when we dated).

My sister can be hard to deal with sometimes. Ok... most times. She doesn't need to know until it was serious. My brother would know before my first date, because he can sort of handle that information, if I tell him to not let anyone know and he doesn't go on and on about it. I think most women I dated for a month would meet him pretty early on because we're in each other's lives quite a bit.

I now keep my mouth shut, except for maybe close, CLOSE friends who can handle it maturely.

If it's been going on for two years, and she and I are both talking of a future together... then ok, I'll tell certain friends... and then family.

overlord337645 · Accepted Answer

right away after all you dont want your parents to find out later because that might lead to some serious issues with your inlaws parents or yours even and if they have to live with you well you dont want screaming matches daily

midnightmoon05 · Accepted Answer

Normal dating circumstances around 2 months, or around 8 dates. By then there will always be some kind of family gatherings…. So… it’s the respectful thing to do to introduce one who is at that point more steady.
my hubby met my family pretty soon… however, at that point we would have been together 10-14 dates into our “courtship”. Those were consecutive weeks. My family had to know something is going by then. I am pretty close to my family and we have consistent interactions.

mandyfire98 · Accepted Answer

It takes a while because I don't even get into an official relationship until a long time after dating. I never just jump into relationships fast, I need to be sure I'm absolutely in love with the other person.

AviatorTom · Answer

Exclusivity indicates our relationship was likely to go beyond dating, at which point I introduced my dating partner to my parents.

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

It is essential only  for people who view that as essential  or people following a tradition, willingly or not. I'm not in the aforementioned cases. I had to introduce a girl who mattered to me only because it was the mandatory process to have her sleeping, officially, in my teenager's bedroom. It also helped her to not jump over a wall anymore lol, ringing at the front door instead. More comfortable you could say? During adulthood, I stopped inflicting myself this obligation, since I have no specific interest in validation or recognition by  people who don't belong to my relationship.  I know how to act diplomatically in an environment governed by social rules but  it's another topic . Thank god, I also don't live in a world forcing me to submit to such traditions, by default. Now, I found, occasionally, an interest in meeting parents of a girl to better understand her struggles in life, but  it's another topic .

Lliam · Answer

I brought all of my girlfriends to my house when I was living with my parents. Of course I introduced them, but it wasn't a big deal. It didn't mean that it was some monumental step in our relationship. I wasn't asking for my parent's blessing or anything.

It was the same after I moved out. I would bring my girlfriends when I stopped by to visit. I would even bring them to family functions.

It wasn't like the old days when meeting parents was a step toward engagement.

Crimsyjo · Answer

I only have my mum really who I see weekly so it's usually very quickly. Like maybe week 4 they will meet her. There isn't any men in our family so she very quickly has a long list of jobs she wants them to do from like week 1 lol

However it's way way slower before I ever meet the guys family. Is this a red flag? As I'm kinda shy about it I don't push it.

Sun_Kim-Ai · Answer

Usually I did as soon as things became serious/exclusive, although I did deliberately avoided introducing some partners to my father because I knew he wouldn't have approved of them.

Funny things was, he would know all about them anyways and never said a thing. In the end, I married the woman he would have picked for me, so it all worked out in the end.

CarolinaGirl5 · Answer

When it gets serious such as leaning towards engagement. I don't think every man/woman deserves the privilege of meeting family. Because if you're not serious/or unsure of them the last thing you need when it doesn't work is family asking "where's so and so?"

Jamie05rhs · Answer

A girl asked to meet my family but I didn't feel comfortable with that quite yet, as we are not even dating.

RavVid · Answer

Sometime after I'm confident it is an ongoing relationship and she is not going to embarrass me. Ongoing = we are having sex exclusively as the min.

Cutea · Answer

If I liked him, I don't need yo hide from anyone

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I don't. I don't have anymore immediate family. Nothing but cousins that live far away and 2 ex-sisters I don't EVER wanna see again unless I've got a baseball bat in my hands!

DrPepper12 · Answer

I only do it after my stepdad pokes me in the ribs with a creepy smile and says "Well you're not her Only Fan..."

Alex-Snow · Answer

My sister and mom know about her long before they meet her. We all are very open about our relationships and sex lives

msc545 · Answer

Never got that far.

Nikki1989 · Answer

There is no family to introduce.

Agape93 · Answer

Used to early on. Not anymore. Haven't for years.

exitseven · Answer

I would never discuss girlfriends with my parents.

Massageman · Answer

After a few months seems reasonable.

the29thhuman · Answer

You answered it yourself

shades777 · Answer

Ah I don't, it's none of their business

Chloe1225 · Answer

Three six month when the honeymoon period passed.

At what point do you introduce your romantic partner to your family?

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At what point in your relationship do you finally introduce your significant other to your family and friends in person?

At what point do you introduce your romantic partner to your family?

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At what point in your relationship do you finally introduce your significant other to your family and friends in person?

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