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Top 10 Tips To Live With In-Laws

In India, it is customary for a new bride to come and live with her parents in-law. This social norm is changing slowly but steadily as people prefer to live in nuclear families. However, it is still considered ‘proper' to live with your in-laws. And if you know how to live with your in-laws, you may not face as many problems as you anticipate.

WHAT TO DO WHEN IN LAWS ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE

Most women have a pre-conceived notion about their in-laws. They feel that they can't live with their in-laws no matter what. This is the wrong way to approach the problem. If you know how to live with your in-laws in the right way, you will actually benefit from staying with them. The trick is to adapt yourself to certain basic things. People are never good or bad; it is the situations that make them the way they are. If you can manage the situations in your family life, you can live with your in-laws in peace.

Some expert tips can help you to have a sweet and functional relationship with your parents in-law.

Be Reasonable

Be Reasonable

Your in-laws have not come from Mars or Venus. They are also normal people like you. So if you behave normally with them, there is no reason for unnecessary conflict.

Don’t Be Over-Possessive

Don’t Be Over-Possessive

You cannot afford to be over-possessive about your husband or home when you are living with your in-laws. Your in-laws are bound to feel slighted if you claim your entire husband's time.

Speak Firmly But Politely

Speak Firmly But Politely

You need to communicate clearly with your in-laws. So speak firmly if you have to convey a message but always keep your tone polite.

Never Show Differences With Your Spouse

Never Show Differences With Your Spouse

It is natural for husband and wife to fight. But your in-laws should never know that you have had a fight. If you show your personal differences in front of them, they will get involved and complicate matters unnecessarily.

Diplomacy Is The Key

Diplomacy Is The Key

All truths cannot be said. Sometimes, you have to swallow the bitter truth and be diplomatic so that you do not hurt your in-laws or your spouse. It is a sacrifice you have to make in order to live with your in-laws peacefully.

Think Of The Benefits

Think Of The Benefits

Living with your in-laws is not just about making sacrifices; there are benefits too. You in-laws usually take care of the house while you go to office; your kids will get the company of their grandparents. So, if you think you can't live with your in-laws, think of the positives.

Never Get Into A Confrontation

Never Get Into A Confrontation

You must always avoid face to face confrontations with your in-laws. Try to let your displeasure be known but don't turn it into a full blown fight.

Silence Is Golden

Silence Is Golden

Learn to remain silent even when you are extremely angry. Words, once said, can never be taken back but silence speaks a thousand words.

Take Decisions Together

Take Decisions Together

You have to make your in-laws feel like a part of the family. Involve them in most of the decisions that concern your house and family.

Have Your Separate Lives

Have Your Separate Lives

But some things about your life have to be personal. For example, your in-laws can decide the colour of your living room curtains but you have to decide where to draw the line.

Story first published: Monday, February 24, 2014, 14:15 [IST]