Throughout college, it is the time to experiment, meet new friends, and certainly date around. However, there might come a time where you want a certain significant other to come home to meet the parents. I know, for me, this happened during my senior year, when I wanted to bring my boyfriend of over a year home for fall break. Now, my parents had met him before, but he certainly hadn't flown out of NYC to come stay at our house for a long weekend. It was definitely an exciting time, but it was nerve-wracking for him as well as me. This is a guide to make the process go as smoothly as possible!
2. Plan some fun things!
While I was home, I planned a couple of low-key things to do alone with my boyfriend to get him out of the house in case either one of us needed a break. I ended up taking him on a drive to show him more of the town I am from, along with a small picnic out by the lake. Definitely have fun activities planned for just the two of you while you are at home, so that it isn't overwhelming with too much family time.
3. Talk to your SO.
As mentioned before, communication is key. Be sure to talk to your significant other and let them know what's normal for your house or usual for your family routine. I know for my family a quirk we have is that when we enter our house, we take our shoes off. I was sure to mention these little things to my boyfriend so he didn't feel awkward later. This also applies the other way around! Be sure to understand what your SO might be comfortable with and what they might not be comfortable with, to not put them in a compromising situation while at home.
Definitely plan a time to do some sort of large family activity, like dinner or board games, so that the whole family can get together to be able to bond with your SO. By organizing even a small game night, people can get to know each other in a casual setting. You can even create teams for some one-on-one time with each other. This worked out great for me!
This is often easier said than done, but really, don't stress. If your SO is making the effort to come home with you, chances are they are really into you. And, if your parents love you, chances are they will love your SO. The key is communication and openness! If you do feel stressed, be sure to be able to communicate those feelings to your SO or parents so that the visit can be as exciting as possible. Remember, this is meant to be an exciting time! Take a deep breath, enjoy your SO's company, and your family's.