Even if you’ve met his parents before, you can always learn new things about them! For instance, maybe his mom mentioned that she’s in a book club. You might ask your boyfriend, “Your mom said she runs a book club! Do you know how often they meet up?”
To offer to help clean up, say something like, “That was a delicious meal! I can help clear the table if you point me toward the kitchen. ”
“That was such a delicious meal. Thank you both for cooking! I’ll definitely have to grab that recipe from you. ” “Your home is so beautiful! Where did you get your design inspiration from?”
Try asking questions like, “What kind of music do you listen to?” or “I understand you’re very active in the church. Are you involved in any outreach programs?” Most parents love asking about their children, so you might ask something like, “Mr. Taylor, what was Josh like when he was a little boy?”
If you follow the same sports team, you might say something like, “Hey Mr. Brown, how about the game last weekend? I can’t believe we got a touchdown with 1 second on the clock!” If you all like fishing, you might try, “Any fish biting this weekend? I was thinking of heading out on the lake if either of you would like to join me. ”
For instance, if his parents ask that you take your shoes off before coming inside, don’t make a fuss, and follow their house rules. If his parents are religious and ask that you join them for a church service, make time to tag along, even if you aren’t of the faith (but only if you’re comfortable going).
You can also invite his family to events that you think they might like.
If your boyfriend’s parents seem standoffish at first, they might not want to get too emotionally attached until they see that the relationship is serious. Try not to take this personally, and allow them to get comfortable with you on their own terms, no matter how long that takes.
If you’re unsure about what his parents are okay with, follow your boyfriend’s lead. He probably knows just how much PDA is okay around his family.
