My son thinks his girlfriend is the one but her family won’t accept him
DEAR DEIDRE: MY son is in love with a wonderful woman. But they have to keep their relationship secret because her family doesn’t know he exists.
I think of her as my daughter-in-law, and I’m sad they can’t enjoy being together openly.
I’m 52, my son is 25 and his girlfriend is 23.
They met at university and have been together for four years.
Her parents are very religious and over-protective.
They want her to marry someone from her own community, and to remain a virgin until then.
When the girl had a road accident recently, my son wasn’t able to visit her in hospital as her parents were always there. It broke his heart.
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He says she is “the one” and I can see how happy she makes him.
They are extremely compatible. But I worry he will get hurt if his girlfriend has to choose between him and her family.
How can I support and help him with this?
DEIDRE SAYS: Your son needs to talk to his girlfriend honestly, and explain how her accident has made him realise they need to be open.
Hopefully she will be brave and tell her parents.
Most parents want their children to be happy.
Perhaps their attitudes will soften once they see how happy she is, and that he’s a decent man.
All you can do is be there if the worst happens to pick up the pieces.
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