Judging by my eldest son’s wife, I believe I have combined all life experiences endured with parents and in-laws to learn what to do and what not to do as a Mother-in-Law. Because my son’s wife welcomes me with open…
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In a certain sense, when a person marries they don’t just take on a spouse, but gain an entire extended family full of diverse personalities. While it may not feel important to the individual to become extraordinarily close to the…
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I’m lucky in that I have a great relationship with my in-laws! We have always been cordial with each other, and only rarely disagree. But it’s important to realize what being married really means, and why having a good relationship…
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It’s a age old conundrum; how to deal graciously with your mother in-law. Contrary to popular beliefs, not all mother in-laws are hard to deal with. Many are very obliging, and know when to give their relatives the proper respect…
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Have you ever been called “lying and conniving” with a very nasty name? Well… I have had or rather still dealing with my inlaws. Despite the fact that I have been nothing but nice to them, I do not understand…
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Most writers who respond to this title will speak of their mothers-in-law as the traditional ogre to brides. Mine wasn’t, though I thought so, but this isn’t a story about her. This is a story about a special treasure: my…
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It is best to maintain a respectful distance from his in-laws and her in-laws. Believe me, there is no better advice anybody can give. Take it from a couple that has been married for over fifty years to the same…
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Mother-in-laws are uncanny characters. Some are meant to be loved by their son’s girlfriends or wives and others are meant to make their lives a living hell! The worst thing about them is that they are always unpredictable and they…
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If you want to visit friends or family that live too far away to make it a day trip, and you hope to stay with them, there are a few things you can do to make sure your stay is…
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Buying property with relatives is, undoubtedly, a risky business. But so is buying property with a friend or a business partner. The initial 4 questions to ask are:* What do we wish to achieve in the long/short term?* How will…
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When you feel fairly certain your in-laws hate you, the first thing to do is have a quiet conversation with your spouse and ask if he/she knows why. Only open up this conversation when both of you are comfortable, relaxed…
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If you treat a son-in-law with the same love, respect and patience you show your own son, a great relationship may soon follow. Welcome him with open arms, right from the start and from the heart. He may not have…
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Buying property is the single largest purchase you are likely to make in your lifetime. You will spend the majority of your adult working life paying off the debt. With ever increasing house prices and a wage economy that doesn’t…
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If you want to develop a good relationship with your in-laws, it will take strategy and planning. 1. Be Flexible. Don’t be stubborn and immovable with your spouse’s parents. They will want to spend time with their child (your spouse),…
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Miles and miles apart, day after day. Worries and concerns are laid to rest with each phone call, e-mail or text. So many devices are used everyday. Science has improved on many aspects of communication, just a few years ago,…
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Can you freeze tuna salad? I find myself surrounded by perfect ‘Good Housekeeping’ female in-laws. They are great conversationalists, pretty and self-assured… and I swear they were all born with a cooking spoon in one hand and a pot in…
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As poor a reputation as many in-laws have gotten, they don’t all deserve it. Your in-laws don’t have to be outlaws! Sometimes, we go into these relationships expecting the worst and that is just what we get, but it need…
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I have heard people say that you have to fake it to make it and I wonder if whoever came up with that saying had a mother in law? The first day I met mine was laced with drama and…
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Since 0000 B.C., everyone has been hypocritical to at least someone at least once. What better person to be hypocritical to than the good-for-nothing human who’s dating your son or daughter? After all, the in-laws have a perfect child, and…
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Buying property with relatives may be advantageous and even advisable in certain situations but the dangers of serious splits are present in every contract. The most common occurrence of joint purchase is that of a husband and wife when they…
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How to have a close relationship with elderly family members… Time brings season after season, and soon we find we are becoming elderly parents whether we want to or not, and we find the closeness with our family members mean…
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You can choose your friends, but you are stuck with your neighbours and relatives. You might as well make the best of it. Every person has at least one serious character flaw and at least one outstanding virtue. The trick…
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Creating and establishing good relationships with our neighbors and relatives is very important to our well-being. We cannot depend solely on the desire to separate ourselves from society and the world in general. Doing so would reflect negatively on us….
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On your wedding day, you not only acquired a new spouse, but you also became part of a wider new family, whether you liked it or not! In-laws, particularly mothers-in-law have a bad reputation. If you are mindful of some…
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Traveling is a time of fun and you want to use most of your time with all the activities you have planned. Some will try to visit all the important buildings, natural parks and other touristic highlights of their destination…
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Dealing with in-laws can be a frustrating, annoying thing to have to go through, over and over again, but it is part of the wonderful thing called marriage. Anyone who has ever been married, has had to cope with in-laws….
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It is not always a good idea to enter into a joint property ownership with relatives. It makes all of the owners responsible for any police or court action against one. That means if one owner has financial or legal…
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I visit my sister a few times a year. She has a very peaceful home, and mine, well, is quite chaotic. My sister and I are more than just siblings were best friends and we have been since we were…
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Age and maturity do not necessarily go hand in hand. Many families include some “black sheep” members who, well into adulthood, still lack responsibility or accountability for their actions. Simply because an individual member of a family has made bad…
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It’s very common to have at least one meddling relative and many find confronting the person to be an uncomfortable task but you have to draw a clear line. This sensitive conversation can be handled in a respectful and loving…
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