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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Surviving The In-Laws


According to a recent survey more than sixty percent of wives feel that they have been caused long term stress because of friction with their mother-in-law. Many of us struggle to get along with family members, particularly our partners, so it is important to know how to defuse potentially inflammatory situations.

 

One of the most common complaints is how wives are made to feel that everything they do, from housework to decor to child rearing, is wrong by their mother-in-law. It is important to think about why this behavior may be taking place. Sometimes the mother can feel vulnerable and pushed out because of her son’s new priorities, while sometimes this criticism is a result of generational or cultural differences.

It is crucial to not take such criticism personally. Many critical people are desperate for recognition and attempt to use such behavior to get attention. A good method to cope with them is to remain friendly and non-defensive, and perhaps even agree with what they say. Sometimes critics are looking for an argument and are confused and bewildered when one does not eventuate. It is possible that a consistent use of this tactic might even eventually cause them to change their behavior if they do not get the response they are hoping for.

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