In this day and age, there’s a great chance that you have kids, or your significant other has kids. If this is the case, and you’re about to take the leap to become one, big, happy family– you may want to remember that the proposal doesn’t just involve you and your love, but your kids as well. So how do you bring them in on the proposal? Here are three ideas.

1. Go on a family vacation. Take a trip with all parties involved, respecting room boundaries (unless you’re already living together, of course), and let everyone get to know one another while spending some good quality time together. When the opportunity presents itself, talk to the kids about the proposal and what it would mean before you actually propose. After all, you have to be committed to making it all work– not just with your significant other, but with the kids as well.

2. Take the kids out. If they kids belong to your lady, offer to take them out for a day of fun. Use this opportunity to tell them how much your mom means to you, and that you’re thinking of proposing and ask what they think. If they’re your kids, this still applies. Try to present an opportunity that they can spend quality time with your s/o to make sure they’re good with the situation. You CAN get married even if the kids aren’t ok with it, but the more people you have on board– the easier it’s going to be.

3. Involve them in the proposal. Bringing the family together through marriage is a big deal, so involve the kids in the proposal. It will make it even more special, and it will let them know that they won’t be forgotten or lost in the mix as things change.

Emily