[PSY]

I can understand why you're so concerned about this situation. As you already stated, your parents haven't been accepting of previous romantic partners. Also, your parents aren't the only people who would question why a man in his 50s would date a woman in her 20s. Even though you're both consenting adults, some eyebrows are bound to be raised.

First, with regard to your parents, you need to decide how much power you're going to give them over your love life. Yes, you live with them, so it's worth smoothing things over as best you can; however, you won't live with your parents forever. Think about what will make you happy in the long term. My father has never been accepting of any of my boyfriends. I could have chosen to let that get under my skin, but I didn't. I accepted that no man will ever be good enough for my father... and that's okay, because what REALLY matters is that I find a man that's good enough for ME! Yes, it hurts when my father criticizes my fiancé... but it's easier knowing that he would make similar comments about ANYONE I decided to date/marry.

Second, think about where this relationship is going, and if you're okay with the raised eyebrows in the event that this relationship becomes "serious." Can you deal with that? If so, why? What helps you move past the criticism and enjoy your relationship? Why should your parents be a deal-breaker when no one else is? If you CAN'T deal with the criticism, then I don't see why it's even worth introducing this man to your parents. Skip that step if it's going to be an unnecessarily painful step.