Dealing With Difficult In-laws – 7 Clever Tips
Are you married or planning to be, and are you finding it challenging to deal with difficult in-laws?
I get where you’re coming from.
I’ve been there myself.
Fortunately, my husband had my back through it all.
While some people are lucky to hit it off with their spouse’s families right from the start, that’s not always the case
Sometimes, your in-laws might be tough to handle initially, but things might improve over time.
And then there are those in-laws who remain difficult no matter what.
Let’s explore why that might be and how you can manage these challenges.
Why Your In-Laws Might Be Difficult
Your in-laws may be difficult for several reasons, and we’ll cover a few:
Prejudice
Sometimes, in-laws might have preconceived notions about you based on your background or the way you carry yourself.
They might even express their disapproval to your partner.
It’s tough, but remember, their opinions don’t define your worth.
Personal gain
If your in-laws believe you might take something away from them, like their influence over your partner, they might act out to keep their grip.
This isn’t about you; it’s about their own insecurities.
Past experiences
Your in-laws might have had negative experiences with relationships in the past.
Their unresolved issues could be affecting how they interact with you.
Control
Some in-laws crave control and approval.
They might try to make you work for their acceptance.
Don’t let this discourage you.
You don’t need to seek their validation—what matters is how your partner treats you.
7 Tips on how to deal with difficult in-laws
Your spouse must be on your side to successfully deal with difficult in-laws.
Because without the support of your spouse, you’d be fighting a losing battle.
Below are tips for dealing with difficult in-laws:
1. Be unified with your partner
Your partner needs to be on your side for any strategy to work.
They should know what’s being said about you and stand up for you when needed.
This partnership is crucial in facing difficult in-laws.
2. To deal with difficult in-laws, stay true to yourself
Don’t try to change yourself to win their approval.
If they have their mind made up, nothing you do will change that.
Be yourself, and focus on the relationship you have with your spouse.
3. Avoid unnecessary efforts
Don’t go out of your way to please difficult in-laws with chores or actions that don’t feel genuine.
It often backfires and can create more problems.
I never knew how to play eye service.
Likewise John.
So, we never allowed our families to pressure us to act a certain way.
Because we both knew how it would end.
4. Let your spouse handle it
Let your partner be your advocate.
They know their family best and can address issues in a way that’s effective.
Their support can make a big difference in how things play out.
Recommended posts
5 Simple Tips To Avoid Issues With Your Mother-In-Law.
5. Focus on your marriage
Difficult in-laws might try to drive a wedge between you and your partner.
Stay focused on your relationship and don’t let their negativity impact your marriage.
6. Don’t engage in conflict
If in-laws provoke you, try not to react.
Sometimes, not responding can prevent them from having more ammunition to use against you.
But let your spouse handle his family.
7. Give them space
Keeping a healthy distance is okay if your in-laws are causing stress.
You don’t have to cut them off completely, but maintaining some space can help keep things peaceful.
Wrapping up clever tips for dealing with difficult in-laws
Dealing with difficult in-laws isn’t easy.
And while you might hope for acceptance, it’s not always achievable.
Remember, you’re not alone, and it’s okay if not everyone likes you.
Focus on your marriage, and don’t let their opinions overshadow your happiness.
I hope these tips help you navigate your own situation.
If you found this post useful, please share it with others who might benefit.
Thanks for reading!
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