Eeek. Meeting the parents/new dynamic tara: The last time I brought a boy (and I use this term deliberately) home, I was 17, and he later became my (now ex) husband.
Well, the time is fast approaching for me to introduce my parents to the new man in my life. I'm not worried about the meeting proper (although I'll stress out over it for a day or so -- it's my nature), as I'm sure everyone will get along famously (if anything -- my BF and my dad will over-bond, as my dad never really bonded with my ex and he feels he missed out), and if they don't, so be it.
BUT: My ex and I were never very affectionate in front of my parents, even in that initial can't-keep-hands-off-each-other stage. That's because, well, as teenagers, we weren't comfortable doing so...it seemed taboo. As we got older, it just stuck.
Well, my BF and I are almost 30. In theory, I should not have problems with holding hands, the occasional peck, etc., in front of my parents. I won't have a problem with that in front of his parents, after all. (I'm not talking full-on making out...just standard publically affectionate conduct.) But the idea is making me freak out -- not so much because I'm reverting to teenagerdom, but because I think it'll be an instant comparison for them (and me)-- "ooh, she never did this with Al, it's so weird." (I hope that makes sense.)
I'm not sure what I'm asking here...maybe just working out some confusion, a bit. Thanks.
Re:Eeek. Meeting the parents/new dynamic timetobefree: I understand, tara. For me, it felt weird to be bringing someone new home. I felt like they would be comparing them, even though I knew they wouldn't. The whole thing felt weird.
Like you, my bf and I are much more affectionate to each other in general than the ex and I ever were. I hate PDA's so it is not like that, but the general hand holding and such. I just had to do it. If they were weirded out, too bad. But I didn't want to act differently with T when around my parents because I didn't want him to be uncomfortable. He was already nervous enough, I am sure. And if I had withheld affection I normally gave, it would have been even weirder, I am sure. So I sucked it up...and no one said a thing!
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
Amy ;D
