Movies really don't picture mother-in-laws well. At least my relationship with my mother-in-law is a great proof of this discussion today. Before I share what my relationship is like with my mother-in-law, I will love to say that how you treat people matters. People act the way they are being treated, so if you treat your mom-in-law badly or without regard, you shouldn't expect otherwise from her. You see, we all have a role to play in order to have a working relationship with people.
My mom-in-law with me and my two kids
In my culture, it is said that when you are set to marry, you are not only marrying the man—your husband to be—but the whole family. Meaning that for a marriage where both your mother-in-law and other family members didn't welcome you, then you are in for maybe a sour experience in that marriage. Personally, if I haven't been married, what I look out for in the family of the man is their acceptance of me to their family. Am I welcomed? Am I loved? Is there any disagreement of any sort? If all things are right and there is nothing too serious to worry about, then I can go ahead with the marriage, and then our further relationships lie in my hands to a large extent regarding the way I treat or relate to them. So overall, I love to know that my mom-in-law has no issues with me first before saying my final yes to her son.
Having said that, my mom-in-law accepted me wholeheartedly since I stepped my legs in her home as her son's wife. Same applicable to other of her family members. I saw a woman who treats me like her blood, and I reciprocated immediately. She understands me well and always cares about how well I am living with my husband and how well I am doing with my parenting; she literally calls always to advise on how to maintain a peaceful home and encourages me on spirituality.
That aside, she cares about our finances and wouldn't stop giving her advice where needed. Just what my own mom does is what she does as well. I don't know how to really express how much this woman cherishes me, but I feel at home with her. I feel so comfortable sharing my burden with her. In fact, in some cases where my husband gets me upset, she is the one I run to, and with immediate effect, she addresses the issue without sentiments. On my end too, when I am set to gift my mother, I buy things equally for both my mother-in-law and my mother; that's how much I have taken this woman as my mother too due to the love and bond we share. Her show of love, her concerns, and her encouragements are quite encouraging.
Simply put, our relationship is like mom-daughter relationships, and that's because of the way we both treat ourselves with respect and care. I wouldn't deny that there are no bad mother-in-laws, but sometimes people have a negative mindset even before meeting their mother-in-law and get prepared for any available war, just like we do see them in movies. If you have a good mom-in-law, it's possible to build a healthy relationship with her. I am a living witness that movies don't really picture mother-in-laws well, not all are bad; I am blessed with a nice mom-in-law.
Hopefully, I would be a great mother-in-law too!
This post was inspired by the #inleo community and my entry to the #octoberinleo monthly topic Day 26 .Please check out the prompt to get involved.