Wednesday 16 July 2014

Fixes for Difficult In-Laws that won’t ruin your relationship



    When getting married, it’s a known fact that you are not just getting married to your partner but also to his or her family including extended family members. It gets difficult at times when you have annoying in-laws who find fault in everything you do. Having difficulties with your in-laws doesn’t mean you’re in an unhealthy relationship, what matters is how you handle these challenges.

1)      First you must realize that your in-laws are different people with their own unique culture which might be different from yours.
2)      Treat your in-laws with respect. Respect is not always about age; treat them the way you would want to be treated. If you treat them badly, be sure to get the same in return.
3)       Never put your spouse in a situation where he or she has to choose between you and a relative. If you do so, you're putting your spouse in a nearly impossible bind. Instead, try to understand the bond your spouse has with each member of his or her family.
4)      Figure out the boundaries that you’d like to set with your in-laws and set them e.g. you and your partner should be able to set boundaries as to how often a family member can visit and how long they can stay to avoid conflicts or limit your in-laws taking over your kitchen as if it’s theirs.
5)      Never go behind your spouse's back when you deal with in-laws. And don't tolerate it if your spouse does.
6)      Always communicate your thought to your partner either good or bad. It is best they know how you feel about a particular in-law.
7)      If your partner refuses to stand up for you and simply tells you to try to work it out, then stand up for yourself or limit contact with the in-law.

Your in-laws are important to your spouse, and they’re part of your life. It’s up to both of you to find a way to make time with extended family as enjoyable as possible.

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