If your family is like many, you feel like you are the only one doing anything around the house. You might even find yourself asking yourself these questions. “Am I the only one that does anything around here?” or maybe…
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Well meaning mothers-in-law have been giving unwanted advice for hundreds of years. You may be lucky enough to have meddling in-laws on another continent instead of across town, and not all in-laws are meddlers. Most of them have a great…
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The world of today is overflowing with technology that enhances the lives of its users and limits physical and intellectual interaction by doing the work and thinking for you. From GPS navigation to online dating, technological advances are specifically designed…
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Many elderly people want to spend time with their younger family members because they do not have much time left in life. They do not push or shove, but they drop hints. Sometimes, we do not get the hints and…
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Dealing with a daughter-in-law who makes demands on your time, could become one of the most frustrating experiences in your life. You are in a delicate situation. On one hand, you want to maintain an amicable relationship with your daughter-in-law; while…
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Dealing with unwanted parental advice from your mother in law is one subject that most individuals would rather not talk about, because of how complex the matter can be if not handled well. When faced with such a situation you…
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Mention the word “in-laws” and some of you probably think of “outlaws.” The latter word shall be used in this article because in-laws have the tarnished reputation of seizing power when you least expect it, as any good outlaw would do….
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Psychologists have debated for quite some time, to what extent child development and early family life carries over into adult hood. Most would agree that the core of ones personality is predetermined, but that early relationships have a direct effect…
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The difference between asking and demanding in a relationship is this; synergy. In every relationship, there are 3 types of teamwork: Compromise, Cooperation, and Synergy. Although compromise sounds nice and thoughtful, (and hey, sometimes it can be) it is really…
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We’ve all heard of and learned the values of sharing since we were toddlers. We should share our toys and our feelings. Yet, there does come a point in time when sharing is not such a good idea. We should…
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In many cultures in the world, grandparents are considered vital sources of knowledge. They are treasured and respected because they have endured a lifetime of experiences, both bad and good. They have learned what works and what doesn’t, and what…
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Years ago Otto’s maternal kinfolks celebrated the Labor Day weekend with a family reunion that was held at the Kinchafoonee Sportsman Club in neighboring Webster County; several relatives were active members and reserved the date months in advance to ensure…
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Tips for dealing with embarrassing relatives You’ve invited your uncle Charlie over for the new years eve bash you have every year, and it never fails uncle Charlie manages to get drunk and starts a fist fight with uncle Bennie,…
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Monster in law? How to get along with your spouse’s family This might seem like it would take a miracle for you and your in-laws to walk on common ground and get along, but it is possible, if you and…
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It is so easy to become disconnected with one’s family. The demands of every life can take its total on any relationship even that of a parent and a child. If you find that your relationship with your parents has…
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Why is it that so very often couples meet and fall in love because they have found the perfect person with whom they want to spend the rest of their life, only to find they intensely dislike the parents who…
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Many people have a tough time trying to be a part of their spouse’s family and it seems like mother in laws are the toughest to please, making you feel like trying to fit in seems like a waste of…
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No matter what your relationship is with someone in the family, favoritism is something that’s hard to avoid. People like who they like, and will prefer characteristics that they find come into line with their way of thinking. This is what…
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Your goal in your marriage shouldn’t be to impress your in-laws because then you will feel like they are looking at you as if you only entered into the marriage to impress them when in actuality you entered into the…
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When trying to maintain marriage quality within a blended family there are several obstacles you must overcome. The first being the odds. Statistics show that with each divorce the next one is even easier. If you want this marriage to…
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Separation, divorce and the starting or blending of a new relationship can and will affect children of all ages. However, it is important for parents in a blended family relationship to understand that the age of the child will have…
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Have you seen the movie Monster in Law? In the movie, Jennifer Lopez faces up to the devious tricks and tirades of her mother in law to be portrayed by Jane Fonda. Situation sounds so familiar? Funny as the movie…
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When two families are blended together into one household the children gain a new authority figure welcome or not. They also have no choice about the step siblings with whom they’ll be sharing their living space. It’s no wonder that…
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A successful mother-in-law is well aware that no relationship can be built in a vacuum. She is generally someone who takes keen interest in ensuring that her family’s unity remains intact. She confidently takes positive steps in the right direction-…
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Marriage quality within the blended family is important to maintain. For a blended family to be successfully integrated and unified, it requires a positive example to be set by the parents. Before both partners consider the possibility of a blended…
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When it comes to disciplining your stepchild in a blended family, you need to be aware of certain perceptions that your stepchild brings into the relationship with you. You are more likely the wicked step-mother than the fairy god-mother. First,…
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Every child has expectations of what he or she will receive from adults on a physical, psychological and emotional level. In essence these expectations are to be loved, cherished, kept save and looked after as well as the expectation that…
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You’re about to combine two families and perhaps for the first time you’re facing living with young boys or girls. Will it make a difference in how things are handled and what behaviors may result? Yes. If you have experience…
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Your son has brought home his new wife and you have made up in your mind that you will not make this new mother-in-law, daughter-in-law relationship become disastrous like the one you had with your last daughter-in-law. You’ve made mistakes…
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A difficult issue for blended families is when the parents favor their birth children over their stepchildren. This is usually not done intentionally. The parents are often trying to compensate for the trauma their child suffered during the divorce. But…
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