How To Get Along With Mom-In-Law?

Wednesday, September 7, 2011, 14:44

Mom-in-law, the elusive monster in every woman's life. But the question is why? Is it a bit of a preconceived notion or a result of practical experiences over the years? Every girl while getting married thinks that she will have the best mother-in-law in the world. She promises herself to be nice to her mom-in-law and make efforts to understand her. So what happens a few years down the line? The promises go up in thin air and the two women who should have been friends cannot stare eye to eye at each other.

We can tell you how to prevent that and trust me it is deceivingly easy. Here are a few tips.

Tips To Get Along With Mom-In-Law:

Let us get to the core of the problem with your mother-in-law. It all stems from that common man in your life, your husband. As you know very well two women can never share a man doesn't matter if one is the mother and the other the wife.

So eliminate 'him' from the picture. Just stop trying to own him. If you and your mom-in-law come to this conclusion together that he is an individual who doesn't really 'belong' to any of you like personal property then it will solve 50 percent of your problems.

How well your mother-in-law gets along with her husband will determine your next step. If your in-laws have a very healthy relationship then your problem is solved by default. They will be too happy with each other to bother you.

In case your mother-in-law is divorced or widowed or doesn't get along with your father-in-law then you could be her agony aunt. Listen to her woes genuinely and you might actually sympathise with her. Won't you do the same for your mom?

Another major problem with mother-in-law is that she is lonely. She is at that stage in life when her children have grown up and left home, her husband probably has a life of his own and she has few friends. Remember, you too will be at that stage at some time in your life. That should give you the motivation to help her.

Life after marriage is difficult and most women sever ties with their friends being caught in the complications of marriage. Encourage your mom-in-law to reconnect with her college or school friends. Now you have social networking sites to help you on your quest.

You could actually find a friend in your mother-in-law. Women bond best when they are criticising men. So if you could play that card right with your mother-in-law its best for you both.

Even the best mother-in-laws have problems but the trick is not to get personal about it. Relationship advice should help you do that.