A lot of people struggle with joining their spouses’ families. That is because you will have to navigate a lot of new relationships which is not always an easy thing to do, especially when we know so many horror stories about people not getting along with their in-laws. Here is how you can make a strong bond with your in-laws.
Get the Inside Scoop
Even though you should heavily rely on what your spouse is telling you about his or her parents, you should know where you stand. Ask about their hobbies, dislikes, things that they are super sensitive about and you should avoid mentioning. It will not only help you have a conversation starter if the awkward silence happens, but it will make the in-laws see that you are interested in having a bond with them.
Always Offer to Help
There is nothing that will make you low in their eyes than seeing you be lazy and sloppy. If you are around them, make them see that you are willing to help them out with whatever. Whatever you see them doing make sure that you are offering to either do it or help them out. Just make sure that you aren’t overdoing it because you don’t want them to think that you think that they are incapable of doing those tasks.
Spend One-on-one Time with Them
It can be quite hard to build a relationship with your in-laws if you are only seeing them at large family gatherings. Do your best to spend as much one-on-one time with them as possible. You can even take it a step further and give them little gifts of appreciation. One of the best places you can get them gifts from is the Neau Collective as they have a wide specter of things you can choose from. But don’t go too crazy as you don’t want them to think that you are over doing it.
Find Something in Common
One of the best things that you can do to bond with them is to find something that you can bond over. It doesn’t have to be something that you really love, however, you should be genuinely interested in order to be able to hold a conversation about it. It is the easiest way to get them talking if they are not extroverts and they need some help.
Get The Whole Family Together
Another great way to build a bond with your in-laws is to have family dinners every now and then. That way you will all be in the room together and you will have the comfort of having your spouse there with you to help out if needed. You can even invite both sides of your family to come over so the whole family is bonding.
Accept Their Family Traditions
There is nothing that will make your in-laws feel appreciated, than respecting their family traditions. That is especially important if your spouse is of a different religion as it will show how much you appreciate them.
Don’t Dwell on the Disagreements
Nothing will break your bond with your in-laws than arguing with them. That is why you should avoid talking about major issues such as politics and religion and all the controversial topics. Even if the topics do come up, don’t jump down their throat, keep your opinions subtle and don’t tell them that they are wrong and you are right. Do your best to stay civil during those discussions.
Be There for Them
Something that is going to make or break your relationship with your in-laws is not being there during hard family times. Make sure that you are there for them not only during small bumps in life but also during extremely hard times. Something as simple as a phone call will make your relationship much stronger as they know that you have them in your thoughts.
Making friends with your in-laws is an important relationship to build. It will not only be a healthy thing for you and the in-laws but it will also help your spouse feel better as you will be showing how much you care about their family.
Author bio:
My name is Grace Wilson. I’m a 27-year-old biotechnologist and kind of a bookish girl. Surfing the Internet is my favorite, that’s why I’ve turned into blogging. Following a healthy mindset and lifestyle is what I consider my life principle. If interested, follow my Twitter.
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