It’s difficult to plan your family vacation around extra people under any circumstance let alone having it be your in-laws. If you are lucky you get along very well with your in-laws, which will make this challenge a lot less…
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Raising kids and having a full time job can be stressful. The rising cost of basic utilities, education and food have forced women out of the household and into the world of the working class. “Bringing home the bacon” is…
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Who can live totally alone? Nobody that I know. Neighbours and relatives alike need us and we need them. The best way to develop a good relationship is to treat them the way you wish to be treated. Most likely,…
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Now this topic is something that is not very funny at all and has to be dealt with great care. Now if you find yourself going through a separation or even going through the fight with your husband or wife…
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Nursing homes across the country are filled with elderly relatives who seldom see their families. Their children and grandchildren have moved away, or are busy with their own lives, and they keep in touch with an occasional card, phone call,…
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We can learn a lot from our elder’s history revolves around years of wisdom. We should show our love, respect, and gratitude for them. Most young people try and avoid spending time with seniors because they don’t move as fast…
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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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