Life as a Mother-in-Law:Roles, Challenges, Solutions

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Life as a Mother-in-Law:Roles, Challenges, Solutions could be considered one of the best books in the markeplace today.

We all know about the jokes and rumors and sometimes hurtful things said about mother-in-laws. It's rarely an easy role and until now, it was hard to find an instruction book. But help has arrived in the form of this accessible, informative, and eminently useful guide.

Written by two psychologists (and mothers-in-law), and brimming with wisdom gleaned from a wide-ranging survey of other mothers-in-law, Life as a Mother-in-Law is the essential primer for navigating the often murky waters of in-law relationships.

With a look at the mother-in-law role throughout history and the truth behind the stereotypes, the authors separate myth from reality and deconstruct clichés to reveal how in-law families really work. Not only are the challenges of being a mother-in-law given, but in-depth solutions, self-assessment tools, and solid advice based on psychological insights to help you bring harmony and balance to your in-law relationships—and your life are also provided within the covers of this most informative book. The role of mother-in-law cannot only at times be puzzling and painful but the authors knew families with strong in-law bonds, families who were in a perpetual arms race in their relationships, and, of course, everything in between. Like it or not, being a mother-in-law is not voluntary. Live long enough and you will probably be an in-law and may find yourself unprepared for being cast in this role. Happy and pleased as we may be with having a new son- or daughter-in-law, altered behaviors are expected on both sides.

As information was gathered for this book, inquiring about this topic of mother-in-laws, did indeed seem to hit a raw nerve. Almost without exception, the mere mention of a mother-in-law study brought forth instant reactions of interest and “Wait until you hear my story." There was no shortage of volunteers for interviews. It appeared that most women welcomed the opportunity to tell their stories and the connection was instantaneous. Some women needed to talk for hours: it was like a cork popping out of a bottle.

You will find the following paragraphs taken from Chapter Four of this most informative enlightening book:

Families today take many forms: one parent, two parents, foster parents, grandparents…even great-grandparents are raising children. Aunts and uncles and/or stepparents move in, move out or stay for the duration. Families may include parents as well as children who are gay or lesbian. A family can be as small as two adults sharing a home, or as large as several adults and a dozen children, with three or four generations living together more or less harmoniously.

Communicating with in-laws often presents a range of challenges for the newly created families. In-laws may have different conversational styles and/or speech habits. They may be talkative or very quiet, they may be direct or indirect, they may speak loudly or softly. There will surely be differences of taste, experience, and world views to say nothing of differences in education, religion, culture and socioeconomic status. Political differences may require careful eggshell walking. Each in-law interaction becomes a prism through which the words and behaviors of the now expanded family are refracted. The challenge is to realign past family patterns and create new, more inclusive ones.Actually, many families may conclude that these new patterns refresh and enrich their lives by introducing new interests, personalities, and points of view, not to mention cuisine.

The goal is to fill the gap in mother-in-law relationship knowledge, to support mothers-in-law, and to help us all understand what contributes to familial success and happiness. We are hopeful that this book will provide support and encouragement as well as recognition and reassurance that you are standing on solid ground with most of your mother-in-law peers. We are hopeful, too, that after reading this book you will feel more secure and enlightened, which can lead to better, stronger, wiser, freer, more lighthearted experiences with your adult children and their spouses or partners, and your grandchildren.

This is an ideal topic and book to order and use in women's groups, churches, for new brides and new grooms, for the mothers of the brides and grooms, as the mothers will soon become mothers-in-law. This is an ideal book for a Psychology class to use in studying about and in teaching human behavior. Pastors, this is ideal for you. This book will offer you a vast amount of information as you counsel your brides and grooms before their big day and as you deal in counseling with couples in trouble.

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Life as a Mother-in-Law:Roles, Challenges, Solutions

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