Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld once said” You go to war with the army you have not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time” At times, we can all agree this is true with family as well. When we marry, we also marry our spouse’s family as well.
The big question is how do you cope with one of your in-laws who has taken a dislike to you? In this episode of the Queen and I, Cindee and I offer some tips that might come in handy. The important thing to remember, is that as a couple you must work together as a team.
Episode Highlights:
- Talk with your spouse and let them know how you feel
- Act in accordance with your own values. Learn to accept yourself
- Remember your spouse’s family is comprised of individuals. Don’t lump them together
- Respect others priorities. If these don’t conflict with yours, why not be generous and try
- Focus on the positive, remember you can only change yourself
- Define your boundaries. Know hat lines shouldn’t be crossed. Also you’re not alone
- Verbalize and enforce those boundaries
- Disarm their primary weapon. Point out guilt or manipulation when it is used against you
- Love and let be. You can love someone without being close
- Re-evaluate the relationship, ask hard questions such as, would I tolerate this from a stranger or just let it roll off your shoulders
Bonus Tip:
Sometimes the relationship with the relative can be too toxic. If might be best in everyone’s interest to end it
Links:
How to Deal with Difficult Relatives
The Queen and I Facebook page
Review and Rate on iTunes