Nervous Woman Seeks Advice On How To Make The Christmas Dinner Awesome For Her Boyfriend's Children, The Kids Don't The Real Deal About Them Yet

The couple doesn't believe in rushing things, so the kids don't know that she and their dad are in a relationship.

May

• Published in Interesting
• December 30, 2023

People with kids who enter a new relationship often wonder when's the perfect time to introduce their partner to their children. According to mental health expert Tracey Horton, it's important to choose a laid-back activity that the child enjoys for that initial meeting.

This way, it won't feel overly formal, and there won't be too much pressure. Avoid scheduling this meeting during any special day such as the little one's birthday, Christmas day, or any other family celebration to prevent them from feeling caught off guard.

Over at r/relationships, a woman asked for advice about meeting her boyfriend's kids for a Christmas dinner. The original poster (OP) is both excited and nervous about it.

She has been dating her boyfriend for about a year and gradually introduced to his kids as a "friend." But now, they're all set for a Christmas dinner at a nice restaurant.

What's causing a bit of concern is that the boyfriend's ex, who's unaware of the relationship, might react negatively upon finding out. The worry is that this could potentially impact the kids' Christmas plans.

Despite these concerns, the OP is determined to make the experience positive for everyone involved. She's even picked out gifts for the boys that her boyfriend thinks they'll love. However, there's a lingering fear that the kids might find the situation a bit strange or uncomfortable.

The original poster (OP) reached out for guidance on managing any possible consequences if the boyfriend's ex finds out about their relationship. Additionally, she sought tips on making sure the kids have a wonderful time at the dinner.

In a later update, the boyfriend acknowledged that it was overdue to discuss their relationship with his ex, aiming to prevent any misunderstandings.

OP wants advice on how to make Christmas dinner fun for her boyfriend's kids.

OP's update on the situation:

The woman is excited about having dinner with her boyfriend's family, but at the same time, she's nervous.

The kids are already familiar with her, but what they don't know is that she has been in a relationship with their dad for the past year.

The boyfriend's ex, the children's mom, doesn't know about them.

She feels that things might get awkward because of her presence on a special day.

The OP decided to seek advice from online users.

The OP's summary of her concerns.

Redditors believe that she shouldn't be present on a celebration such as Christmas.

The boyfriend needs to focus on his children on this specific day. He doesn't need to involve the OP.

The OP defends herself, telling people that she and her boyfriend won't reveal their relationship yet.

Her presence could potentially upset some people.

A Redditor shares their feelings on the situation based on a past experience.

Just by attending this dinner, it will cause a lot of tension on the boyfriend's side.

It's okay to meet the kids, but not on a Christmas day.

For the OP, it's a wonderful chance to connect with the kids on such a special day, but attending a Christmas dinner also comes with some risks. There's the potential to upset the boyfriend's ex, and this could have a ripple effect on the children.

Even if she has fantastic gifts for them, there's a possibility that the kids might end up harboring negative feelings towards her.

May