5 Things You Should Know Before Dating The Girl Who Is Close To Her Family

Okay, first of all, this is me.

Being Southern bred, the majority of us girls are close to our family. We are used to Sunday dinner at grandma’s and spending (even the little) holidays with the entire family–yes, football games count as holidays. We are used to being surrounded with the love and agitation that comes with family. With that, this also makes us one of the best types of girls to date because we love differently altogether. The girl who is close to her family is usually full in the things that matter most to the people who are the happiest–life, love, and laughter. Sounds corny, but it’s true. She’s happy, which usually makes her confident, passionate, and capable of doing the same for you.

Although there are many benefits to dating the girl who is close to her family, it could also be potentially complicated if you’ve never done so before. Fear not. Don’t let that deter you from dating her, you just need to take the right approach when doing so. This is what you should know before dating the girl who is close to her family. Let’s get into it!

When dating the girl who is close to her family, she may be eager to get you to meet them. She might invite you to a small dinner with the immediate family or invite you over for Sunday Football. Whichever the case, remember one thing. Do not meet the family until you’re ready to commit. If you don’t have any plans of committing to being her boyfriend, I’d advise you stay away from this type of gathering. The family is already going to receive you as ‘more than a friend’ because you’re being introduced to them anyway–even if she calls you a friend. If you don’t want to be with her, kindly decline and make sure you tell her why.

If you decide that you are ready to commit, good for you. Meeting the family should be a great experience. However, when you attend your first family function remember that you can either be yourself or be embarrassed. I don’t know what it is with the men in my family, but they can smell a phony from a mile away. I can tell you one thing for sure, it’s a lot easier being yourself than pretending to be something you’re not and with my family… first impressions are truly lasting. If they aren’t impressed, you won’t be coming back around. The way to impress them the best though is by being genuine. If you drink, grab a beer and sit and watch the game with the men. No need to hang around your lady the entire time, they know who you’re there with. Take a load off and let the family get to know you a little. There’s nothing to be afraid of–unless her father is crazy AF. Then, you should be afraid.

I’m (mildly) joking. Not just the father though, some family members can be a bit much, but hopefully she gives you a warning before meeting them. The main thing to remember when dating the girl that is close to her family is that they are going to protect her. They want her to be happy and as long as she is, there is nothing to worry about. If trouble arises in paradise–and it will–that’s okay, but try to handle the issues directly between the two of you because once your name is tainted within the family, the chances of you coming back around are slim to none. The bottom line is this, when you date the girl who is close to her family, you’re not just dating her… you’re dating the family. From the daddy on down, the family is just as invested in you as she is. If you’re a good guy (which I’m sure you are) they are going to do their best to root you two on to the real thing!