How to Tell Your Parents You’re in a Relationship

So you've finally done it—you've landed yourself a full-on relationship with a capital "R." That means the hard part's over, right?

Well, not necessarily. You still have the nerve-racking task of breaking the news to your parents. And depending on where mom and dad fall on the "protectiveness" scale, it could go really well… or your relationship could be over before it even gets a chance to start.

Either way, telling your parents about your new relationship should always be handled with care. Keep scrolling for our best tips to ensure the conversation goes smoothly.

Prepare for All Possibilities

Before you even approach your parents about your new relationship, you need to prepare yourself for anything and everything that might happen. You can never be quite sure how your parents are going to react to big news, so it's better to walk into the conversation ready for any outcome. That way, if things don't go your way, you'll be able to keep your head on straight and talk through the situation calmly, rather than getting upset or breaking down into tears.

(The Little Mermaid via Walt Disney Pictures)

 

Be Mature

Relationships are a big deal. Not only are they a big sign that you're growing up, they're also a chance for you to care about someone other than yourself. The best way to show your parents you're ready for that kind of responsibility is to be mature when telling them about your relationship. Don't start giggling or refuse to use words like "relationship" or "boyfriend/girlfriend." If you show immaturity while telling your parents about your relationship, they might start to think that you're too childish to take part in a real one. However, if you can approach the conversation with poise and a level head, they'll have a hard time arguing that you're not mature enough to seriously date.

 

Choose a Good Time

Perhaps the biggest factor in the success of your relationship conversation with your parents is the timing. You have to pick a moment that allows them to fully process the information and discuss it with you, without distractions. If you try to spring it on them while they're busy or frazzled, they're more likely to get upset, ruining your chances of having a productive conversation.

Choose a time when you know your parents don't have anywhere else to be or anything else to do. If you can't seem to find a moment, simply let them know that you have something to talk to them about and ask them to tell you when it's a good time. That way, everyone will be able to say everything they want to without feeling pressured or frustrated, which will likely make the outcome much more positive for you.

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Listen

It might be your relationship, but the conversation with your parents isn't all about you. You have to be prepared to listen to your parents' point of view, even if it's not exactly what you want to hear. You don't have to agree, and you'll get your chance to respond with how you feel, but listening to what your parents think is an important part of having a successful conversation. It will give you insight into where they're at, and it will show them that you're mature enough to have a difficult conversation.

 

Be Prepared to Answer Questions

Trust us, at some point or another we've all been caught in the endless black hole that can (at times) be a conversation with our parents. While you might want to get things over with quickly and get out of there, you have to be prepared to fully answer all of their questions, without getting annoyed. They're only asking a million questions because they love and care about you, and getting irritated with them might result in a much more negative conversation about you and your S.O.

(Riverdale via The CW)

 

Talk Up Your New S.O.

No matter what, your parents are always going to think of you as their baby girl. It's annoying, but it's a fact of life—and it also means that they're not going to settle for anything less than the best for you. That means you have to show them you've chosen someone awesome to be in a relationship with.

The best way to do that? Spend lots of time talking up your new S.O. Make sure to tell your parents how sweet they are, how happy they make you—basically just run through a list of all the amazing reasons why you like them. Your parents want to see you happy and taken care of, so talking through how excited you are about your new relationship will help lay any lingering fears to rest.

 

Nothing compares to the feeling of a new romance. Click HERE for 15 things you'll only relate to if you're in a new relationship.