When Thanksgiving rolls around, it means the start of Meet the Parents Season - or at least it does for me and many of you, if my email inbox is any indicator, as well as my own personal experiences. A few years back I shared my Thanksgiving date disaster story (and encourage you to share your own date disaster stories). But my question here doesn't revolve around bad dating experiences, but rather, when you met the parents.

What time of year did you meet the parents of your current and/or past loves? Did the holidays push you into meeting the parents earlier than you normally would have? I'd love to hear your experiences by filling out the poll questionnaire, or if your situation doesn't fit the choices, by adding a comment.

Related: Thanksgiving Date Ideas for Couples, Thanksgiving Dinner With Your Partner.

While researching and talking to other dating aficionados about the newly introduced dating boot camp, I spoke with the gent who runs 100RedFlags, a dating blog that discusses "...the small things that women do that drive men away." [Note: The 100RedFlags site is not work-friendly, and uses language that may offend some readers.]

I plan on covering dating red flags in the boot camp eCourse, so of course I wanted to take a closer look. Many of the red flags already listed I agreed with, such as She Wears a Slutty Hallowe'en Costume. Seems fairly straightforward to me.

But once I looked a bit closer at the red flags listed, I started to get confused. "She Was Homeschooled," and "She's Run More Than One Marathon?" "She Carries Condoms In Her Purse," and "She's Never Smoked Pot?" Really?

I disagreed with the blog owner, and sent him a note specifically regarding the last "red flag" (not having smoked pot). Here's his response:

"...absolutely it's a red flag, and believe it or not one of the ones that we've posted/talked about to date is most commonly met with approval amongst guys. It could mean rigid views of the world, it could mean a conservative stance on societal issues. I won't belabor the issue, but maybe will just make it clear that these things are all representative of potential character and lifestyle flaws that would inhibit a healthy, successful relationship. It's quite possible one could say she's never smoked weed and yet can sit across the table on a first date and it'd never even be a thought - but without enough evidence the assumption could still be there and there may never be a date two if women aren't aware that some men may take issue with it."

In the hundreds of men I've worked with and coached with regards to their dating lives, and the thousands that have emailed me throughout the years sharing their opinions, not once have I heard any of these as issues. The ones I most commonly hear from gents focus on larger personality traits that some might find stereotypical (i.e. acting like a princess or being bossy), or frustration with what they feel is a 'bait and switch' (i.e. how you presented yourself isn't really who you are). Rachel Greenwald, who wrote the book, "Why He Didn't Call You Back: 1000 Guys Reveal What They Really Thought About You After Your Date" (Buy Direct) found similar themes.

But, you tell me: what are your dating red flags? Do you agree with the ones presented here, or do you have a differing opinion?

_{For those of you participating in the dating boot camp, looking for today's installment, here you go: Dating Boot Camp Day One.}

In the four-and-a-half years I've written for About.com, I've had countless readers ask me to create a free, accessible, uplifting and powerful boot camp -type process. Folks wanted a day-by-day and week-by-week series that they could read anytime, find support from other singles just like them, while learning how to take ownership of their dating lives in a positive way.

I've taken your advice, suggestions and ideas, and for the next 90-or-so days, will provide each and every one of you with a daily dose of inspiration and to-do's. Essentially you'll become your own dating coach, with some help from readers just like you, as well as experts, matchmakers, dating-advice-giver-outers like myself.

Tomorrow I'll begin the series, and you can read about it every day in this blog. I'll post links to read and questions to answer, and you can work through it all on your own time. Subscribe now to the RSS feed so you don't miss any updates, or switch your homepage to this blog as a daily reminder.

What will you get from this dating boot camp? Here's an abbreviated list, which I'll update as we progress through the series. The general intent however is to help single men and women disconnect as much as possible from a previous breakup, whether it was a day or ten years ago, and move into a better, more positive, attractive place so they can meet the person of their dreams.

• Work through any residual issues with past relationships, family, friends and/or loved ones so that you're ready and able to welcome new love into your life;
• Focus on the positive, without dwelling on the negative or getting 'stuck'. For those who struggle with the more serious blocks to love such as working through a divorce, and you'll get lots of guidance as to where to go next, along with suggestions for professional intervention if need be;
• Learn what you really want, need and must have in a relationship, as well as how to meet folks that fit your specific criteria;
• Create a support system both virtually and in real life that will help you to make decisions with regards to love and relationships;
• How to flirt, ask someone out, where to go and what to do on a first, second, third and beyond date;
• Concrete advice dealing with long distance relationships, jealousy, confidence, attraction, safety, gift giving, ex's, and more;
• Help and specific information for folks of all sexual identities, single parents, divorcees, seniors, teens, and more; and
• How to fight 'fairly' and deal with conflict in your romantic and personal relationships.

I've created a small badge that you can display proudly on all social media, blogs or your personal website, to share with other folks that you've committed to this process. I'll create something bigger ASAP, but in the meantime, feel free to use this badge, making sure to link back the blog post you're reading now:

As well, I'm open to suggestions for content to cover in this dating boot camp, so please feel free to comment honestly and openly here and share your thoughts, or email me directly and privately at dating.guide@about.com.

Ready to start? Here's Day One.

Dating Advice

• How To Get Over a Breakup
• Using Props To Attract Someone
• How Do I Ask Her Out?
• Are There No 'Real' Dating Sites Left?
• Why Would She Choose a Casual Relationship Over a Serious One?
• Should You Take a Dating Break?
• Long Term Relationship Valentine's Day Gifts Under $100

Dating Sites

• 2date4love
• Video-Chat-Blog
• Newly Divorced Dating