How to Please In-Laws

Conventional wisdom says that you must endure your relationship with your in-laws as if it were a trip to the dentist. It doesn't have to be this way. You can take the high road and attempt to please your in-laws. There's no telling how far the good karma from this effort can take you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Complement them on their parenting skills. Your spouse's wonderful character didn't materialize from the ether. Your in-laws had a great deal to do with the molding. Praise them generously.
2. Show affection to your spouse around your in-laws. Above all, your in-laws want to know that their child or sibling is happy and observing your loving relationship confirms that.
3. Get involved in some hobbies or activities your in-laws enjoy. Go fishing with your father-in-law or take in a family card game to demonstrate interest in your in-laws and learn about their family rituals.
4. Ask for your in-law's opinions. You don't have to carry out the instructions handed down to you by your in-laws, but asking for their opinion occasionally makes them feel special and can reduce unsolicited opinions.
5. Establish a bond with your in-laws separate from your spouse. Maintain an occasional email correspondence with your brother-in-law. Go shopping with your mother-in-law.
6. Observe the golden rule to treat others, as you want them to treat you. You don't like it when your in-laws drop in unexpectedly, so don't ask them to baby-sit for you on short notice.
7. Demonstrate your maturity. Just as you don't want another set of parents, your in-laws don't need another child. Even if your spouse lets her parents wait on her at home, you must be a considerate guest and offer to help.