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Introducing the Family

Somber

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How is your family when it comes to you getting to know someone new? Do you tell them right away? Do you wait? Are you open with them about your romantic life or are you more private? Does anyone else here have family that you worry about bringing a special someone home to meet one day?
 

Saucy

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What's his name?
 
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Saucy

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I would play it by ear I guess. Every "situation" is going to be different and move at different speeds. If I had feelings for someone and they had feelings back and it was looking like a relationship was likely, I would probably tell my closest family members. I know they genuinely care for me and want what's best for me. Even if they would disapprove, I would want to do know that because what my family thinks is important to me....and hers as well. I'm old-fashioned and would want her family to approve of me.
 
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bèlla

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It depends.

We’re a close knit bunch. I tell them when I meet someone. But they’re pretty blasé. They don’t warm to suitors easily. They’re polite but not overly enthused.

My calling played a part in that. They pray on my behalf. But they always have the bigger picture in mind. They would never support a connection that impeded my path or placed burdens in my lap or my daughter’s.

I don’t worry about bringing someone home. But I don’t make introductions unless we’re serious and contemplating marriage. They don’t need to meet a maybe.

They’re not afraid to address the hard stuff. We talk about money, children, parents, friends, etc. There’s things I see now that I couldn’t detect when I was younger. And I benefit from their wisdom.
 
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mojoboy31

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I typically will wait "until there's something to tell" before I clue my fam in on anything. We're kind of a sitcom family, and they tend to scare people away XD
 
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Somber

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That's good!!! What if their family didn't approve? How would you respond?

It's good you are able to talk about some things and wisdom. That is nice.


I typically will wait "until there's something to tell" before I clue my fam in on anything. We're kind of a sitcom family, and they tend to scare people away XD
haha!!! I feel you! xD My family can be awful when it comes to these sorts of things sometimes. I made the mistake in the past of introducing someone too soon. Now sometimes I think to myself I should just wait until I get married to let them know "hey, here's my husband," just to see the shock on their faces, but at the same time I wouldn't want to scare the poor fellow away either. xD
 
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mojoboy31

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Just wait until you're already married.

Your husband when you introduce him:

 
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Somber

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This would probably be my most feared step when it comes to progressing a relationship. My family can be interesting sometimes...they might have some weird beliefs and ideas too. Usually very open and friendly but also a bit too much. My mom probably would be my biggest fear if it came to introducing anybody, since she's outspoken, intense and has no filter. I also know she will try to lecture me for hours afterwards once she finds out...the last guy I told her about I never heard the end of it until we went separate ways, then she stopped lecturing me about it. I remember she was a bit upset with my brother when he first became engaged, and she lectured him and lectured him about it but finally after they married she became more accepting and now really likes his wife. So as you can see I am extremely private with family about my romantic life and interests. Most of my life my family has made fun of me about guys, even as a little girl though I never talked about such things they would always tease me which upset me as a kid, but now I usually shrug it off...I still don't trust them though. xD I probably won't tell them much unless I am very serious about someone.
 
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mojoboy31

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Eh, it's an unfortunate and awkward step you can't really avoid, but as long as he is properly informed about your fam, it should go okay. Nothing much you can do about getting a constant earful from your mom though.

So my parents, super conservative background, came from legalistic churches, etc. We were always the rebels in the groups luckily, but there's still a lot of... Let's say.... "Old Opinions".... They run strong in my fam...
The last girl I brought home to meet the fam- she asked if she should take out her nose piercing, and cover her tattoos to meet my fam. I told her no, to be her and do what made her comfortable, and if my fam had an issue, then it's their issue, not hers.

And it was fine, no big deal. I cooked dinner, she chatted with my fam and flirted with me, we ate, then we played Minecraft in my room while my four nephews were just amazed that I knew a girl who could play Minecraft, and they told her every little detail of Minecraft info they had in their brains. XD
It was after she left that the drama started, and people started making their backhand comments, etc.
 
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Somber

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Right on! I don't know if properly informing somebody will ever be enough though! hahaha!! My mom is usually fairly friendly at first and won't usually directly tell someone she doesn't like something about them, but she will ask too many questions, hint at stuff, and overshare her beliefs, so I have to rescue them. xD It can be really funny though if someone has a good sense of humor.

That is a good way of seeing it and I think it is awesome you didn't worry too much about it and encouraged her to be herself. And that's so cute with the nephews too! hahaha!!! Little kids are the best!!!
Yeah, usually it's always the worst after they leave with the family! xD I feel for you there 100%!!
 
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Somber

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Things would have to be official before I would consider it. Mere interest, even if mutual, isn't enough to bother.
I can relate to your sentiment.

I couldn’t be with someone who’s family didn’t accept me. It’s too much drama. The reverse holds true. He needs a thumbs up as well. You can’t put a price on peace.
That is completely understandable! It would be nice to be fully accepted and supported on both sides for sure and definitely would help with a stable relationship!!! If I was in a relationship I think I would be okay if I wasn't fully accepted by their family, but he would have to be supportive of me in spite of it, since I have heard of some awful situations where someone never stood up for their significant other when their family was mean and that just hurt their relationship and such. I don't think I could handle that. I understand that not everyone has the best family though, so if I was able to be in a loving relationship in spite of that and not have to be involved in family drama I think I would be okay with it. Hard to know until the situation arises though.


-
No, no family, just two old dogs.
The dogs approval is the best sometimes!
 
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Saucy

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That's good!!! What if their family disapproves
Well, that would hurt, but it would depend on why they disapproved. But I don't know that their disapproval would sink the relationship. Maybe it would require more time to prove myself. But either way, marriage is leaving your parents and cleaving to your spouse so we would make it work. Parents have to learn to let go.
 
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bèlla

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since I have heard of some awful situations where someone never stood up for their significant other when their family was mean and that just hurt their relationship and such.

The only thing you have to consider is what you can handle. What you need to thrive and flourish in life and your relationships.
 
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MehGuy

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My father mainly wants me to marry a Christian woman, while my mother is more concerned whether or not she's pretty. Although they wouldn't disown me or anything, and as Christians they will ultimately be accepting of the person.

I don't really date much and have a hard time developing feelings for people anyways. So, it rarely comes up. If for whatever reason they were the type of people to not accept her and ridicule her... well, that would pretty much be the end of my relationships with my parents. I'll cut people out of my life if I have too. Good thing my parents are not those type of people though, lol.
 
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