Introducing Your Partner to Family and Friends

Introducing your partner to your family and friends can mark a big step in your relationship and can be a daunting event – especially for your partner. Take some of the pressure off by easing them in gently and not making it a big show and tell.

Slowly Does It

OK so you have met an amazing person and you can’t wait for everyone in your life to meet them and agree that they are just perfect for you. Slow down. Wouldn’t you be a bit scared if your new partner wanted you to mete their parents after your second date? There is plenty of time for all that. First of all you need to concentrate on getting to know each other without any extra pressure. By including them in your inner circle too soon you might just make them run for the hills and then you will have to explain to your friends and family how you let another one get away.

Small Doses

Introducing your new partner to your whole entire family for the first time at cousin Sylvia’s wedding is probably not the best idea. Equally, choosing your ten year school reunion as the perfect occasion to meet your friends is no the best planning. Your partner will no doubt be very nervous about meeting your nearest and dearest so give them a break by doing it in small doses. Take them along to the pub with a couple of your mates or meet up with your sister or brother for a coffee. Once they feel comfortable that they can fit in with people you love then they will find it easier to meet the rest of them.

Family Friendly

So your Dad has a running joke about how he will fight off any suitors with a shotgun or your mum always says nobody is ever good enough for her little angel. These kind of family idiosyncrasies may be funny amongst yourself but can be terrifying if you are that suitor. Have a word with your family beforehand and explain that while you love them, you would appreciate it if you went easy on your new partner for the first meeting. Try and make it a dinner rather than a whole weekend and steer the conversation. In the same way, inform your partner of the family in-jokes and what your parents and do and don’t like. This way they will be forewarned and feel more comfortable about coping with whatever comes up.

Friends Forever

Your friends know everything about you. From the first person you kissed behind the bike sheds to the night you drunkenly flashed your bum at the police to your deepest fears and insecurities. That is what friends are for and it’s great to have people who know you so well, but make sure they keep it themselves. Sharing embarrassing stories is something that friends do but make sure you are comfortable enough with your new partner before you let them loose. Also, it can be difficult to break into a close knit circle of friends and your new partner may appear a lot shyer than they actually are. Give them a hand by mentioning something they have done or somewhere they have been to draw them into the conversation.

Having a partner who gets on with your friends and family is a great sign but give them a head start by preparing them and easing them in gently.