How to Deal With Your Mother-in-Law During the Holidays

Facing the task of spending time with an overbearing mother-in-law? If so, follow these steps and have a happier holiday season.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. When you enter your in-laws home, stay silent. Let them adore their daughter and kids as applicable. Remember to your mother-in-law your wife is that wonderful little girl you took away from home.
2. If the topic of your job comes up, look for a quick out. For many mother-in-laws, the son-in-law's income or job is something to pick at. Let them pick and simply nod in agreement. Any resistance is futile.
3. Make sure you contribute in some fashion during your stay. Be that going to the store (which is the perfect act as it allows separation and fills a need), washing the dishes or shoveling snow. Do something that will deflect the dead beat accusations. But, remember doing too much and you will come off as pushy and overbearing.
4. Follow the lead of your father-in-law. This is a man that has spent most of his adult life with this woman. He knows when to nod, when to leave and when to simply say 'Yes, dear.'
5. The last resort is separation. The danger with this tactic is she will sense the move and begin the accusations of you being a family hater.

Tips & Warnings

• Tread carefully when discussing your mother-in-law issues with your wife. If the infractions are minor remember let sleeping dogs lie.
• The purpose of this column is humor, the issues addressed are deemed minor. If there are serious conflicts these should be addressed with a professional.