When you marry the one you love, you immediately marry a pool of relatives that may or may not be to your liking. Whichever it is, youre stuck with them. They are now yours and it becomes your duty to do the best you can to get along with them. If youre thinking thats not even in the realm of possibility, you may be surprised at how possible it really is.
Here are 5 things to help you on your journey of in-law peace-making.
1. Accept them for who they are
Theyre not like you. Some of the characteristics that at times jump out and strike you as more than odd may turn you off. Give them a break. They have different things going on in their lives that influence the way they act.
It may be they were abused as a child, or were in some way neglected or emotionally hurt. It may be they never felt loved. When that happens its hard for someone to be loveable to others. The only way they learn is to have someone finally love them, in spite of their oddities. That doesnt mean you have to snuggle up to them whenever theyre around, but it does mean you treat them with kindness, and maybe even put a friendly arm around a shoulder at times.
2. Be forgiving when they hurt your feelings
If they have hurt your feelings or insulted you, you can certainly let them know, in a gentle way, that what they said was hurtful. They may not realize they hurt you. Or maybe they intended to hurt you. Let them know you never want to hurt them. Ask what it is that you can do to help them feel better about you.
Find out what it is you may have done that offended them. You may need to say the words, I forgive you. Or, Please forgive me. Be the one to reach out and mend the fence. A lot of relationships stay broken because no one will take the first step to do the mending.
3. Set your boundary and make it stick
When an in-law is blatantly trying to ruin your marriage, its time to set your boundaries. Since these folks are your spouses family, he or she needs to be the one to let the boundary be known.
James and Sherry had this challenge and decided to take action. Sherrys mother was continually berating James, saying unkind things about him to her and other family members. Sometimes even to James. Sherry finally realized she needed to set a boundary. She met with her mother privately and said, Mom, I love you. And I love James. In the past some very unkind things have been said about him to me and other members of our family. Thats very hurtful.
Then she looked her mother in the eyes and kindly, but firmly, said, Dont ever talk about James like that again. Ever. Hes my husband and I love him. Her mother was surprised, but said she would do better.
Old habits die hard, so whenever she started to say anything bad about James to Sherry she would say, Stop. Do not say anything bad about my husband again. I love him. She finally got the message and better feelings began to evolve.
4. Pay attention to the good they do
Notice the good in them, and comment on it. When you see them do something that deserves a compliment, give it. No matter how small.
They cannot help but feel kindly towards you when this happens, even if they cant express the gratitude they are feeling. Sometimes its hard to ask an unfriendly in-law to help you, but if the chance to ask for their help comes, ask. It always feels good to be needed by someone else. If they refuse, just say, Thats OK. If it works out for you later, that would be nice. If it doesnt, its still OK. I know youre busy.
If they help you in any way, no matter how insignificant, thank them. Appreciation goes a long way.
5. Listen to them
If you are weary of the complaints of an in-law, you might consider doing what Julie did. Her mother-in-law drove her crazy with her endless whining about how bad her life was. If it wasnt her aching back, it was her failing eyesight, or just complaining that nobody cared about her.
One evening Julie made a change. Instead of telling her mother-in-law that her life wasnt so bad and that she should appreciate what she did have, she decided to listen to her. When the barrage of complaints began that evening at a family gathering, Julie just listened and validated her feelings. She said, That must really be hard. Im so sorry these things are happening to you.
She didnt give her mother-in law any advice or try to change her thinking. She just listened. That was when she began to understand from her mother-in-laws perspective. It changed everything. They were able to develop a loving relationship that had never existed before.
If, in the end, you have in-laws that cannot seem to be won over, and are bent on destroying your marriage, no matter what you do, avoid being with them.
Some couples move away and find the peace they need to build their marriage. Do whatever it takes to protect your marriage. That's what matters most.
Here are 5 things to help you on your journey of in-law peace-making.
1. Accept them for who they are
Theyre not like you. Some of the characteristics that at times jump out and strike you as more than odd may turn you off. Give them a break. They have different things going on in their lives that influence the way they act.
It may be they were abused as a child, or were in some way neglected or emotionally hurt. It may be they never felt loved. When that happens its hard for someone to be loveable to others. The only way they learn is to have someone finally love them, in spite of their oddities. That doesnt mean you have to snuggle up to them whenever theyre around, but it does mean you treat them with kindness, and maybe even put a friendly arm around a shoulder at times.
2. Be forgiving when they hurt your feelings
If they have hurt your feelings or insulted you, you can certainly let them know, in a gentle way, that what they said was hurtful. They may not realize they hurt you. Or maybe they intended to hurt you. Let them know you never want to hurt them. Ask what it is that you can do to help them feel better about you.
Find out what it is you may have done that offended them. You may need to say the words, I forgive you. Or, Please forgive me. Be the one to reach out and mend the fence. A lot of relationships stay broken because no one will take the first step to do the mending.
3. Set your boundary and make it stick
When an in-law is blatantly trying to ruin your marriage, its time to set your boundaries. Since these folks are your spouses family, he or she needs to be the one to let the boundary be known.
James and Sherry had this challenge and decided to take action. Sherrys mother was continually berating James, saying unkind things about him to her and other family members. Sometimes even to James. Sherry finally realized she needed to set a boundary. She met with her mother privately and said, Mom, I love you. And I love James. In the past some very unkind things have been said about him to me and other members of our family. Thats very hurtful.
Then she looked her mother in the eyes and kindly, but firmly, said, Dont ever talk about James like that again. Ever. Hes my husband and I love him. Her mother was surprised, but said she would do better.
Old habits die hard, so whenever she started to say anything bad about James to Sherry she would say, Stop. Do not say anything bad about my husband again. I love him. She finally got the message and better feelings began to evolve.
4. Pay attention to the good they do
Notice the good in them, and comment on it. When you see them do something that deserves a compliment, give it. No matter how small.
They cannot help but feel kindly towards you when this happens, even if they cant express the gratitude they are feeling. Sometimes its hard to ask an unfriendly in-law to help you, but if the chance to ask for their help comes, ask. It always feels good to be needed by someone else. If they refuse, just say, Thats OK. If it works out for you later, that would be nice. If it doesnt, its still OK. I know youre busy.
If they help you in any way, no matter how insignificant, thank them. Appreciation goes a long way.
5. Listen to them
If you are weary of the complaints of an in-law, you might consider doing what Julie did. Her mother-in-law drove her crazy with her endless whining about how bad her life was. If it wasnt her aching back, it was her failing eyesight, or just complaining that nobody cared about her.
One evening Julie made a change. Instead of telling her mother-in-law that her life wasnt so bad and that she should appreciate what she did have, she decided to listen to her. When the barrage of complaints began that evening at a family gathering, Julie just listened and validated her feelings. She said, That must really be hard. Im so sorry these things are happening to you.
She didnt give her mother-in law any advice or try to change her thinking. She just listened. That was when she began to understand from her mother-in-laws perspective. It changed everything. They were able to develop a loving relationship that had never existed before.
If, in the end, you have in-laws that cannot seem to be won over, and are bent on destroying your marriage, no matter what you do, avoid being with them.
Some couples move away and find the peace they need to build their marriage. Do whatever it takes to protect your marriage. That's what matters most.