In-Law relationships are tough and can stress a marriage. Here are some tips to make them easier!
The Mother-in-Law (MIL)/Daughter-in-Law (DIL) relationship is often very complex for a variety of reasons. My own experience has been great, though it wasn’t always easy. My Mother-in-Law, Terry, is wonderful! She warmly welcomed me into the family, she has always been supportive, fairly undemanding (I'll have to explain that one to her!), and has worked harder than anyone I have ever seen to develop and maintain relationships with me, her oldest son’s wife, her daughter’s husband and all of her grandchildren. She is truly an inspiration and I have often told her that she should write a “how-to” book for other Mothers-in-Law. (We’re actually considering working on one together!)
There is a world of potential for Labor Day love -- even if all your relatives are around.
Summer 2011 officially comes to a close next Monday, September 5, and we're all looking forward to relaxing during the long weekend. With a multitude of party ideas to choose from, it can be quite overwhelming for couples to decide what to do for Labor Day. So we here at YourTango compiled some of our favorite festivities inspirations, perfect for any couple looking to spend quality time with each other and their family and friends.
The holidays plus your mother-in-law can be a tricky combination. Advice on how to deal.
Adding a new person to the family, especially a new daughter-in-law, can threaten mom's position as matriarch-in-chief. There won't be friction in every situation, but we've heard enough complaints about getting along with mothers-in-law to know that many of you could use some help in this department. So in the interest of family harmony, here are seven tips for spending the holidays with your new mom.
Meeting the parents: tales of the "first time" gone wrong.
If you're lucky, the first time meeting your significant other's relatives generates a droll little tale about mispronouncing his mother's name or spilling red wine on Aunt Sue—minor embarrassments that fuel anecdotes to share with future children. But, what if you find you are marrying into Appalachian forest people? What if your future father-in-law cops a feel during the introductory hug? What if you find yourself hanging out naked with your in-laws? Families are insane, no doubt, but marvelous in-laws happen when the insane fits.
This weekend I was in Connecticut for my Nana’s funeral. It was, obviously, very sad. She’s the matriarch of my dad’s side of the family, and not having her around any more will be strange. As my parents were the last of five children to have children of their own, and because we lived in Texas, far away from my other cousins and aunts and stuff, I never knew Nana as well as my other cousins did.
The period that I spent the most time with her and my Grampy was when they lived with us in San Antonio because Grampy had to live in assisted care and my mom didn’t work then, so she could help take care of things.
