A few months ago, I blogged about Why You Should Interview You Daughter’s Date followed by a post on How to Interview Your Daughter’s Date. And while some might like to interview their son’s date as well, I thought it might be a bit awkward for me, as a man, to interview a young lady. But I do think it’s important for me to build a relationship and get to know my son’s girlfriend.
So this post is dedicated to the other half of a dating relationship: The girls that our sons date. You should take the time to build a relationship, sooner than later, with your son’s girlfriend. Here are some reasons why:
You are Showing the Girl That Your Family Cares about Each Other.
While it might seem intimidating at first, it’s important that your son’s girlfriend understands that your family cares about each other — that you are a part of his life. If she’s the right “dating material,” she’ll appreciate that. If she doesn’t like it, that tells you and your son something important about her character.
You are Showing the Girl That Responsibility is a Two-Way Street in Their Relationship.
In the course of getting to know her (which I’ll talk about in a future post), you can make it clear to her that you see the responsibility of the health of the relationship as a two-way street.
You are Revealing to Your Son the Importance of Relationships with Girls.
Instead of just ignoring the dating relationship as “my son’s thing,” your involvement in the relationship can give him practical insight into how a woman’s mind and heart work when it comes to relationships.
You are Communicating That You Care about Her, Not Just Your Son.
Your relationship with your son’s girlfriend gives you the opportunity to let her know that you’re looking out for her too. If you’ve worked hard to raise your son to be a gentleman and an honorable person, you want her to expect that in him.
You are Sharing Your Expectations for Dating with Her.
As you build a relationship with her, it will open the door for you to share with her any standards and expectations you have for their relationship.
You are Giving Your Son Insights into Her Character.
How does she respond to you and your family? What consistencies or inconsistencies do you see between how she acts around him and how she acts around you? Your investment in getting to know her will provide some insights about her that you can share with your son.
You are Investing Early in a Relationship That Could Become Long-Term.
This may be the hardest reality to accept, but any and every girl your son shows interest in could become “the one.” All relationships are important especially with a young lady your son may spend the rest of his life with. So I encourage you to start it off well.
What are your thoughts on this topic? And what other reasons do you see for taking the time to invest in the relationship with your son’s girlfriend? Please share your comments in the section below.