Your son has found the love of his life, and you are now a mother-in-law. How wonderful! You now have the opportunity to win the mother-in-law of the year award or totally alienate this young lady (and possibly your son, as well). If you’re really not interested in winning that award, and would rather have your new daughter-in-law grit her teeth each time you show up, these items are sure to keep you off her best friends list.- Criticize her housekeeping. New brides ‘love’ this. Ask her when the last time was that she mopped her floors. Or, if you really want to get her, do the white glove test on her bookshelf. A simple raising of your eyebrows as you examine the layer of dust on your finger, should be sufficient. No need to say a word.
- Reorganize her cupboards for her. While you’re in their home watching the grandbaby, take the initiative to totally reorganize her cupboards, so they ‘make more sense’. This is guaranteed to get you banned from her kitchen.
- Pout when she turns down your dinner invitation. “You guys never come over anymore!” “What’s more important than your in-laws?” Those are both lines that are bound to cause her to roll her eyes. Even better, give her the silent treatment the next time you see her. She’ll get the hint!
- Lay a guilt trip on your son regarding holidays. Complain to your son about them spending too many holidays with her family. Let him know that his wife is ruining your family traditions. Tell him to take charge and start making his own decisions about holidays.
- Give her a lecture on how to be more submissive to her husband. Even if this is one of her goals as a wife, she probably won’t consider her mother-in-law a very objective mentor in that area. Your help may achieve the opposite results.
- Complain about her spending habits. Let her know that your poor son wouldn’t have to work so hard if she wasn’t spending so extravagantly on herself. Encourage her to confine her wardrobe shopping to yard sales and consignment shops.
- Ask her why your son never calls/visits. Try to make her feel responsible for goading your son into fulfilling his obligations to his mother. Call her and complain when your son ignores your birthday or Mother’s Day. She’ll really love getting put in the middle between you two.
- Ignore the rules she has set for her children. No candy? How silly. Put them to bed at 8PM? But they aren’t really tired. Only formula? That’s not how we did it! (I must warn you that this one may cost you grandparent visits, however.)
- Criticize her family members. Even if she totally agrees with your opinions of her family members, she is unlikely to appreciate hearing you voice those criticisms to her.
- Stop in unannounced. It may be your son’s home, but it is also hers. She may not appreciate your stopping by whenever you feel like it without giving her a phone call first. A little notice so she can be prepared, would probably be her preference.
Competing for your son’s attention or trying to give advice that hasn’t been asked for, are generally not welcome from a young bride. If you want to develop a good relationship with your new daughter-in-law, give her some space, and plenty of respect and encouragement. The mother-in-law of the year award might just come your way.
(source:cheapestservice.com/blog/10-ways-to-alienate-your-daughter-in-law/)
==================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment