How to Get Parents to Like A Boyfriend

Occasionally, after meeting a boyfriend, a girl's or woman's parents dislike him. They may have just gotten a bad impression from his dress or his manners or they may believe that the boyfriend simply isn't good for their daughter. However, parents will often change their minds after spending more time with the boyfriend. Here are some things to try to get your parents to like your boyfriend.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Have a discussion with your boyfriend. Explain that it is important to you that he and your parents get along and ask him to do what he can to make this happen.

2. Ask your parents to invite your boyfriend for dinner and include him in family events. If he has made a bad first impression, he can begin to make up for it. If the problem lies with your parents, continued contact with him can help them change their minds.

3. Keep your arguments to yourself. Don't turn to your parents whenever you and your boyfriend have a fight. If they only hear about him when you're fighting, you can't expect them to like him when you're not. Rather, they will be driven to act protectively of you based on what you have told them about the fights.

4. Stop acting as his advocate. Your parents want to make up their own minds about your boyfriend. The more you try to talk him up and argue with them about him, the more stubborn they're going to be. Let your boyfriend speak for himself.

5. Be nice to your boyfriend's parents. If you don't treat them or your boyfriend well, they might complain to your parents, and they, consciously or not, will decide not to like your boyfriend in retaliation.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider that your parents, who are more experienced in life, may have a legitimate reason for not liking your boyfriend. Try to listen calmly to their reasons and ask yourself if they might be right.
• Remember that the job of getting your parents to like your boyfriend is mostly your boyfriend's, not yours.
• If your boyfriend is abusing you emotionally or physically, tell your parents and ask them to help you. No boyfriend should abuse you, no matter how many other good qualities he as.

Resources

• Learn the warning signs that a partner will become abusive.