mean mother in law(to be)

[Canadian_Kilt]

I wouldn't think about it until 25 personally. Even then .. yeesh. When I was 25 I was still a total idiot (now I'm only a mild idiot .. I figure by 40 or so I might be normal).. I couldn't imagine being married then.

[Juggalotus]

I couldn't imagine getting married and then trying to go to school (unless you have previous worldly experience before getting married).

Go to school and get that done and out of the way before you worry about getting married. You'll find enough fish at school that should you change your mind, its a lot easier to do without a marriage certificate.

If, after getting through school (and not finding anyone to replace your love) and getting a degree and a decently paying job you're still madly in love with this girl. Her mom will either have accepted you (you are after all a college graduate) or she just needs to smacked upside the head.

And I got married at 25, to a woman I met during my sophomore year. And I think we broke up once or twice in there when life choices (she went to Pittsburgh for a year to become a pastry chef) forced us apart. Now we are happily married and hopefully the next 65 go as smoothly as the first one.

For now though, don't piss off her mom. If she doesn't like the kilt, then don't wear it in her house. But if you go out to dinner with your girlfriend and her parents, wear the kilt. And don't make a big deal out of it. No smart-*** comments, no snide remarks, just act like nothings different. And treat her with respect. That's the best way to earn her respect. And remember that its a lot easier to lose that respect than to regain it.

[flairball]

Wait to get married. You're too young right now to even realize how foolish an idea it is. If I had followed through on even half the ideas I had when I was 17, 21, 25, 29,...I'd either be dead, or really miserable and wishing I was dead. I recently got married. I'm 39, and it's the first and only marriage I'll have. Why did I wait so long? It took a lot of relationships to finally find a woman I knew I could live with. Stay single, and stay kilted. Two things that you will find go really good together.

As for your girls mother; if she doesn't respect you, then don't respect her. You must still treat her with respect, but just ignore everything that comes out of her mouth. If she makes a negative comment about your kilt just totally ignore it. Act like nothing was said, and continue on with whatever conversation you were having. Sooner or later she'll get the idea that you don't care about her, or her opinion.

[John Fiske]

I agree with the other posts: WAIT to get married! I am glad I didn't marry my H.S. sweetheart. Our paths took totally different routes once we went to college. I don't even know where she is now....

I met my wife in college. She is a completely different woman than my H.S. sweetheart was. Everything changes once you leave home. You will experience the biggest changes in life between the ages of 17 & 21. You will be a different man by the time you are 21.

DO NOT make the future MIL mad! You are in a good position now. If need be, you can end the relationship with your girlfriend...if need be. My mother is the one who doesn't like my kilt wearing. She views it as disrespect toward her. I cannot change that. I do not plan to wear it to my parents house. However, I wear it when I am anywhere else. My father respects me for wearing the kilt.

Be considerate. You will either make a bitter enemy or a good friend out of your future MIL.