Many individuals underestimate just how important it is to build healthy, supportive relationships with their in-laws. To find out why it’s well worth making the effort to bond with your in-laws as well as to learn a few handy tips on forming a relationship with your in-laws, keep reading.
Why You Should Have a Relationship with Your In-laws
If your significant other notices that you’re making an effort to establish a mutually supportive relationship with their parents, they’ll be appreciative of your efforts. Especially if they have a close-knit bond with their family and regularly spend time with their parents. Just think, wouldn’t you be over the moon if your partner made the effort to get along with your parents?
Love and Support
It’s not unusual for in-laws to treat their children’s partners as if they were their own flesh and blood. While you have your own parents, who you may share a strong connection with, there’s nothing wrong with having two additional parents who you’ll be able to turn to for love, support, and guidance. If you’re lucky you may even build strong friendships with your in-laws.
Are Kids in Your Future?
If you plan on having children, you may end up spending more time with your in-laws with your children. So, it’s important to have an established bond with your in-laws.
How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Your In-laws
Find things that you have in common with your in-laws
It’s a great idea to find mutual interests with your in-laws which you’ll be able to bond over. Such as cooking, hiking, sports, shopping, working out, reading or watching movies. As shared interests make great conversation starters.
Make an effort to communicate with your partner’s parents
Don’t be afraid to text your in-laws from time to time to let them know that you’re thinking of them or to give them a quick phone call.
Invite your in-laws to special events
Always make sure to invite your in-laws to special events such as dinner parties and birthday parties. In order to show your in-laws just how important they are to you. It’s also a great idea to invite your in-laws to family dinners with your own parents. Especially if your parents get along with your in-laws.
Avoid topics which are likely to lead to heated arguments
If there are topics that you disagree on such as politics or religion, you may want to avoid bringing up controversial topics. As you may find that if you are respectful of each other’s viewpoints, you may be able to build a strong relationship, even if you’re on the opposite sides of an issue or debate.
Make sure your in-laws know that they are appreciated
Show your in-laws just how much you appreciate them by thanking them for all that they do for you and treating them to surprises such as a home-cooked dinner or a bottle of wine.
You can now put a few of these ideas into action in your efforts to start a healthy, supportive, mutually beneficial relationship with your partner’s parents.