Ways To Building A Great Relationship With Your Mother-In-Law

Are you a newlywed or all set to get married? Then we are sure you are navigating the dynamics with your mother-in-law. No matter if yours is an arranged or love marriage, a great relationship with your in-laws is an essential component of a harmonious and fulfilling family life. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, fostering a great relationship with your mother-in-law is entirely possible with patience, communication, and mutual respect. So, to help you out, ShaadiWish is here with valuable insights and practical tips that can help you build a strong and loving bond with your in-laws while maintaining a harmonious connection with your spouse.

Here Are Some Great Ways To Build Bridges And Have A Great Relationship With Your Mother In-Law:

1. Have An Open Communication With Your Mother-In-Law

Communication is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship, including the one you have with your mother-in-law. Have an open and honest approach in every conversation you have and make sure you are understanding her thoughts and feelings. Here are a few tips for maintaining open lines of communication:

Initiate Conversations: Don’t wait for your mother-in-law to reach out; make an effort to initiate conversations. Ask about her day, interests, and experiences.

Active Listening: Show genuine interest in what she has to say. Active listening promotes understanding and helps build a stronger connection.

Express Your Feelings: In case there is something that you don’t like or share a different opinion, then share your thoughts, concerns, and feelings with respect and empathy. Be honest but diplomatic in your communication.

2. It Is Important To Set And Respect Boundaries

Whether your mother-in-law has stronger opinions, gets angry quickly or is slightly more dominating, you need to be respectful of her boundaries. Remember that healthy relationships often require clear boundaries – yours and hers. Here’s how you can establish and maintain them:

Be Polite But Firm: Communicate your boundaries politely but firmly. This shows that you respect your in-laws’ feelings while protecting your own space. However, make sure you first earn her trust before speaking on a topic that is sensitive.

Offer Alternatives: judge the tone and responses on a particular topic and see if you can suggest alternative solutions that can benefit everyone. Find a shared interest in the topic and approach patiently. This might help in improving your relationship with your mother-in-law for the future too.

Discuss Boundaries With Your Spouse: Before discussing boundaries with your in-laws, ensure you and your spouse are on the same page. A unified front can help prevent misunderstandings.

Ways To Building A Great Relationship With Your Mother-In-Law

3. Get To Know Your In-Laws Better

After open communication, getting to know your mother-in-law and building a connection can work wonders for your relationship.

Spend Quality Time Together: Engage in activities they enjoy, whether it’s gardening, cooking, or simply watching her favorite TV show.

Learn About Their Interests: Show a genuine interest in their hobbies and passions. This can lead to shared experiences and bonding. Ask about her childhood, her life and transition after marriage and so on. However, do not bombard her with too many questions in one go. Give her space to open up about herself at her own pace.

Talk To Her About Your Partner’s Childhood: No matter if yours is a love or arranged marriage. This is a great way to form a bond with her and team up with her. This will also allow you to understand the mother-son bond and gives you an insight about how this transition has been for her personally.

Celebrate Milestones Together: Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other important occasions. These shared moments can create lasting memories.

4. Ask For Your Mother-In-Law’s Advice

Another way to win hearts is to let the person know that their opinion matters to you. Seeking her advice on smaller and bigger things can show your mother-in-law that you value her. However, you should also make sure you imply her advice as a token of appreciation and show that her advice matters to you.

5. Practice Empathy And Patience While Building A Rapport With Your In-Laws

Building a great relationship with your in-laws often requires understanding and patience:

Empathize with Your Mother-In-Law’s Perspective: Try to see things from their point of view. This can help you appreciate their concerns and feelings.

Give It Time: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are strong in-law relationships. Be patient and allow time for trust and understanding to grow.

6. Resolving Conflicts Gracefully Is A Secret To Having A Great Relationship With Your Mother-In-Law

Conflicts are a natural part of any relationship. When issues arise, address them constructively.

Stay Calm And Respectful: In the face of disagreements, remain composed and respectful. Avoid emotional outbursts.

Use ‘I’ Statements: Express your feelings using “I” statements to avoid sounding accusatory. For example, use “I feel hurt when…” instead of “You always…” This is a small step which can bring about a huge positive change.