When you married and established a new home, you departed from your old ways. You didn’t leave your first home in terms of love or communication, but you did leave in terms of authority and priority.
The most important human relationship now is the one you have with your husband or wife, not your mother or father or your in-laws. Your marriage is a living, breathing institution with a life of its own. You and your spouse solve your own problems and make decisions as a team.
The challenge with in-laws come when they cross lines. They have opinions about how you should live, offering unwanted advice.
United couples will be more successful in dealing with difficult in-laws through setting goals and making decisions together. Decide how you want to improve your relationship by:
- Having no divided loyalties
- Setting decision-making boundaries
- Talking to your parents
- Doing something nice for your in-laws
- Never forcing your spouse to choose
- Acting in accordance with your own values
Your in-laws may be much different than you. They have their own opinions and a different style. If they say something you think is wrong or offends you, first talk it though with your spouse.
30-Day Challenge
If you could do ONE THING and know that it would make a significant, lasting, possibly life-changing difference in your life, would you do it? Dr. Carlson shares the power of ONE THING and why you should get started doing your ONE THING today.
Tell Us
How do you deal with difficult in-laws? Do you find yourself walking a fine line? We’d love to hear your success stories. Post your comments below.
