Comments on:

By: dining tables

dining tables — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:24:19 +0000

Even if you are going to a vacation you manage to post a wonderful article. You are so great. That is why I really love your blog.

By: commoncents

commoncents — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:14:04 +0000

THANK YOU for posting this! I really like your blog…

Steve:
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:56:22 +0000

I must confess that that does sound rather chaotic. I wish you lots of luck!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Sun, 30 May 2010 17:19:08 +0000

I too, went back and read your September post. I have a similar relationship with my in-laws and I've tried handling it numerous different ways. The last time my MIl came to visit, I went to Cuba with my girlfriend! She got my husband and son all to herself and I didn't have to hear any snide or critical comments. My parents-in-law are coming again next month and I'm already feeling anxious… working out my game plan. Having a supportive husband who stands united with me makes a huge difference (in the beginning of our relationship he was conflicted). I think I will be as absent as possible and will respond to any inappropriate comments with, "how inappropriate" and move on. Good luck!

By: Maureen

Maureen — Sun, 30 May 2010 08:43:23 +0000

Count your blessings it,s only for a short time, my MIL lives with us and while she and I used to be really close familiarity does breed contempt.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 29 May 2010 18:52:52 +0000

Your post prompted me to read your earlier entry (the last vacation). You got such good advice from others on how to deal w/a difficult situation. One thing I'd add is simply to limit your time w/your in-laws while on vacation. Make sure that you are not in a house with them for hours on end. Schedule time away every single day, whether it's a long walk, a lunch in another town (the further the better), and best of all, a couple of dinners away. Do not eat every meal as a group. I think that's a recipe for disaster. Yes, you will probably be criticized. Smile, say that you're on vacation too, and walk away. Killing with kindness sometimes works. So does refusing to be treated poorly.

I am fortunate in both my own family and my in-laws (sometimes I find my MIL easier to be around than my own mother), but even so I occasionally find it hard to spend prolonged periods of time w/extended family. Little annoyances start chafing, and larger issues seem insurmountable. Good luck! Clare