November 9, 2016
It's Not a Competition

Dear Dr. Laura:

I hear some of your callers who have issues with their in-laws.  I've never had any problem with mine.  Maybe it's because I decided a long time ago that I knew what I wanted in a husband, and when you find the right person, chances are, his family is just as wonderful.  There shouldn't be conflict, and it's not a competition!

If you have the right attitude, often everything will go well.  For example, my mother-in-law cooks and sometimes sends food over to us.  I could take that as an insult.  Instead, I see it as a lovely woman who has extra time on her hands and is being generous to her son and daughter-in-law.  There's some food I just don't make at all, because hers is better!

I do, however, bake a lot.  While she has shared her baking recipes with me, she also has praised me for items I bake far better than she does.  I take that as a compliment.  We have found a peaceful coexistence that is in many situations mutually beneficial.  I'm happy to have her as part of our family.

Melinda


Posted by Staff at 10:59 AM