No, we’re not just friends. We are d-a-t-i-n-g. Source: Shutterstock.com

I don’t really know what the current status is on the whole Miley Cyrus – Liam Hemsworth situation, but as far as I know, they are still together. That’s why I was intrigued to hear that Miley’s dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, referred to them as “great friends” when asked about the duo during an interview with Nightline.

Now, it’s not odd to me to say people in a relationship are friends. This particular comment just really reminded me about my own parents who always seemed to think my boyfriend and I were just “friends,” even when I was really upfront about us dating – and had been dating for a while. So why wouldn’t they just accept the use of the “boyfriend” title?

My parents were never passive-aggressive or mean about my boyfriend, but I just don’t think they realized I was in a serious relationship because I didn’t really date for a long time. I think their reluctance to call him my “boyfriend” spawned from that and instead he just was considered one of my good friends – who you know, I talked about a lot and went out on dates with… Instead, my mom would keep dropping hints about family friends who had single sons and wouldn’t ask me about my boyfriend. It was weird.

So how did I get my parents to acknowledge my boyfriend wasn’t just another one of my friends? The most straightforward way is just to talk to them. They might not even realize that they’re being dismissive of your relationship until you point it out. Like with my parents, it could just be an innocent thing, rather than them not liking the guy. You’re their baby and it may just be weird for them to acknowledge that you’re growing up and dating. I know, it’s not really fair, but at least you can understand where they’re coming from.

It also probably didn’t help that I was dating my boyfriend at college, so my parents didn’t really know him and barely ever saw the two of us hanging out. I can see why it didn’t seem “real.” That’s why trying to make your boyfriend more present is helpful. Invite him to hang out and get to know them with you! The fact that you want him to meet them can clue your parents in that this guy is special.

Meeting his family can be another way to help your parents see him as your boyfriend, because it may dawn on them that to this other family, you are their son’s girlfriend. His parents could very well be going through the exact same “weirdness” your parents are!

There is also the chance that maybe you’re not picking up on something he does that really bothers your parents. As I said, with my parents it was less about my boyfriend and just more about the whole dating situation, but you should at least be open to hearing them out if they are worried about this guy you are seeing. They want what’s best for you and might see something you’re missing.

Really, just give it some time. My boyfriend has now been around a while and gotten to know my family so I don’t get those “your friend” comments any more. It can be really annoying, but there could be a lot of reasons to explain the parental behavior. Rather than writing off your parents as just not understanding and being awful, try and see if there’s a way to work it out so they can learn to say the “boyfriend” word.

Have your parents ever just not acknowledged the person you were dating? What did you do about it? Did you ever find out why they were so reluctant? Tell us in the comments!

If you have super strict parents, you must read this.

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