Meeting the InLaws

So, one of the first things all new brides should do before they even think about getting married is atleast having one get-together with one of the groom's family members. And while this task may seem a wee bit daunting, the first thing you have to keep in mind is to breathe. It'll be okay. There are probably movie clips from "Meet the Fockers" or "Father of the Bride" running through your head of bad inlaw meetings, but in all truthfulness, your parents love you and just want you to be happy. After breaking the hopefully happy news of the new engagement, they will probably just want to meet each other and get to know each other before the whole circus gets underway. So, if you are a little nervous, have a feeling that you future mother in law may in fact hate you(mine does not), or are terrified that your parents will bring up some skeletons during the meeting, here are some tips to work your way through your first meeting with your new family.

1. I cannot say this enough. Just breathe. If you think the worst is going to happen, it will happen. If you haven't read "The Secret" yet, then you should just know that you create your own reality. So if you think you are going to botch the convo, then by some act of God set your new mother in laws dress on fire, you have just upped the probability of that happening. But if you believe that everything will run smoothly, chances are they will.

2.Food is your friend. If you are going to meet the inlaws, offer to bring along the dessert. If you are hosting the shindig, prepare the food yourself. It will open up conversation and show off your prowess in the kitchen. Just be careful not to overdo it with the cooking. If you don't know how to make mac-n-cheese, then don't try to make a 5-course meal all by your lonesome. You can get frozen food that you can just pop in the oven that is just as impressive or if you have a little extra cash, get in touch with a restaurant for fancy take-out ahead of time. You don't have to lie about it, just make it look good. You can joke about how you could make water burn during dinner. Yay for more convo!

3. Take it easy with the booze. Nothing loosens lips or ruins a meeting faster than free-flowing alcohol. Having a glass at dinner won't kill you, but don't think that alcohol is going to help with settling your nerves. Depending on it could really make things turn ugly really fast.

4. Ask your fiance about their parents and get some facts about them before you visit so you will have some easy conversation starters. And if the parents are meeting each other, find out what your families have in common like, "Mom, did you know that (insert fiance's name here) mom loves the opera?" That can guarantee you a little talk time.

5. Be polite. Don't curse, be friendly, just basically be on your best behavior until you really get to know how they react to certain things. You will have plenty of time to show your new family the less desirable side of yourself, but first impressions are important.

6. I see this one a lot on tips. Show interest. Your future inlaws may be boring as all get-out, but just like meeting new friends, you need to take some interest in what they're saying. Think of it this way, you may think they're boring, but they may think the same about you. And if they are still at least pretending to listen, then you can do the same. Talk to them, laugh at their jokes, offer your own stories after they have told their own. You know what that's called? Conversation! I'm excited that I have found a theme without trying. I'm a mess, I know.

7. Just be yourself. I know this seems a little hypocritical with all these tips on being on best your behavior, but really, you are just showing them the best side of yourself. Your fiance loves you, and that's all that matters. Getting in with his family is going to be a piece of cake.