dating while living with a dysfunctional family

If you’re dating someone while living with dysfunctional parents, things can get real complicated, real fast. I’ve been there, and I’ve learned the hard way. So, if you actually want your relationship to last, here are 3 rules you need to follow.

1. Don’t Bring Them Home

As tempting as it is to show your parents you’ve got someone (especially when your mom keeps nagging about grandkids or your dad throws shade like you might be gay), do not bring your date home. Trust me.

Here’s what usually happens:

• They’ll judge your partner’s appearance, race, or even maturity level.

• Suddenly, they’ll want your partner involved in family gatherings, which means exposing them to all the chaos at home.

• And, yes, one of your parents might even consult a psychic and start predicting the future of your relationship! (This happened to me and some people I know).

Protect your relationship from all that noise. Keep it sacred.

2. Keep the Details Vague

Once your parents hear you chatting on the phone longer than usual, they will get suspicious. They’re not fools, so they will be curious. And if you give them any info, they’ll want to meet your partner and start telling everyone about it.

So keep it light:

“We’re just friends.”
“She’s already seeing someone.”
“She’s has a girlfriend.”

Yes, it sounds extreme, but sometimes you have to throw them off just to protect your peace.

3. Only Introduce Them When You’re ALL IN

Bring your partner home only when you’re absolutely sure they’re the one. As in: you’d choose them over your parents if it came down to it.

Dysfunctional parents can be manipulative and brutally opinionated. If you’re not rock-solid in your relationship, the pressure can crush it. I’ve had relationships fall apart because I wasn’t ready to handle the emotional wrecking ball that came with family involvement.

Bottom line?
Dysfunctional parents are not like regular parents. You have to handle them differently. If you don’t, you risk heartbreak, regrets, and too many what-ifs.

Learn from my story. Build your relationship on a solid foundation first, then face the storm—together with absolute certainty.