How to Survive Living With Your In-Laws

Set boundaries with your in-laws but remain respectful.

Losing a job, relocation or having a medical emergency are just some of the reasons why you might find yourself having to live with extended family members. It happens from time to time, when you need to stay with family, and more dreadfully, your in-laws. But it can be done gracefully, without bruising relationships, as long as you follow some simple rules.

Things You'll Need

• A Desire to remain sane
• The ability to remain calm

Instructions

1. Realize that your spouse always comes first. You left your home and chose a mate. Your parents will now have to come second, which means that your in-laws now become just as important as your own parents. That is just how it is. You might have to put your foot down on a meddling parent once in a while, but it is for the best interest of you and your spouse.

2. Treat your in-laws' home the same way you'd treat your home or your own parents' home (and hopefully better). This means picking up after yourself and doing chores. Both husband and wife should pitch in. If your in-laws are staying with you, set a schedule for chores and various activities in the household so that no one is intruding on someone's space.

3. Discuss issues related to your in-laws privately with your spouse. This will help you stand as a united front when confronted with your in-laws. You'll know how to respond better to them when your issues with them have already been vented out privately to your spouse.

4. If you have children, discipline them how you did before the stay. Make sure you and your spouse talk with your in-laws about how you deal with your child, and ask them to respect your wishes. This could be anything regarding bedtime, what your child is allowed to view on the television, and your child's diet.

5. Always make time for your family, just you and your spouse, and kids if any, to spend time alone and away from the in-laws. This gives you a chance to get away from the stresses, and to solidify your own family bond that can feel lost when living with the in-laws as a married person. It is important to make your family a priority.

6. Hang in there. The time you spend living with your in-laws won't last forever. Try and bite your tongue and know things will be better in the future. Hopefully, when you get to move to your own dwelling, you will be able to look back on the positive things you shared with your in-laws.

Tips & Warnings

• Be polite and respectful of your in-laws, even when things get heated.

• Don't be afraid to assert yourself and set boundaries with your in-laws.

• Don't gossip about your in-laws in front of your children or other people who might know your in-laws.

References

• Women's Health: How to Survive Your Inlaws