Because holidays naturally bring families together, this month brings a series of articles on in-law relationships.
In-law problems give TV screenwriters plenty of material for their nightly sitcoms. But in real life, those problems aren't so funny.
Ideally, extended families give the married couples within them support, camaraderie, a shared history and identity, and a powerful sense of belonging. When these same relationships fracture, they are a source of great pain.
The holiday season pushes in-law relations to the forefront. So this month I will be posting a series of articles dealing with these valuable and somewhat tricky relationships. We've already looked at who carries the responsibility for a good in-law relationship. Later this month we'll discuss:
- why in-law relations are fraught with minefields
- how to learn to enjoy the "alien" in-law family culture (for beginners and those who need a "refresher" course)
- how to improve the in-law relations you have
- what successful in-law relationships teach us, and
- what to do when nothing you do works
I hope the information in these articles will help you and yours have a happier holiday season and better relationships in the New Year.
