In-laws relationships can be challenging because they are often associated with mixed emotions: love, respect, and trust on the one hand, and frustration and resentment on the other. They also carry a great deal of potential psychological baggage. This article will explore how in-law relations can be difficult for both sides of the family tree.
The introduction should answer the following questions: what is an in-law relationship? Why is it difficult for in-laws? What can you do to improve your relationship with your spouse's parents? What can you do to improve your relationship with your own parents?
An in-law relationship occurs when spouses have different parents or stepparents. A family structure where stepparents and/or parents of the spouse differ is often called an "o-family . "
An in-law relationship can be challenging because it concerns a third party who must adjust to the changing dynamics, rules, and demands of your marital home. What's more, this third party may be a threat in many ways.
In-laws can become irrelevant and superfluous to the marital life due to advanced age, illness or death of one or both spouses. It's possible that they may come to feel physically or emotionally threatened by some new contact with their son or daughter's spouse.
Some in-laws try to extend their influence and hold on to a ' once-in-a-lifetime role ' that is no longer relevant. Some in-laws feel left out, ignored, or shunned by the new couple and try to intervene
In addition to these situational factors, there are some personality traits and family roles that can make in-law relations challenging:
For both parents of the spouse , it can be difficult to accept their son or daughter's partner as a mature equal. For parents of the spouse , it can be difficult not having the primary responsibility for their son or daughter's happiness. Some people with dependent personality traits may have difficulty negotiating the changes and conflicts inherent in an o-family .
For the spouse , it can be difficult to accept their parent's role as a co-parent, whereas they may feel the need to take over that role themselves. For the spouse , the new marriage may lead to feelings of loneliness. Some people with this trait may have difficulty navigating a new marital household.
For both spouses , there can be conflict about how much privacy and freedom is required from their parents. Some people with codependent personality traits may have difficulty negotiating the changes and conflicts inherent in an o-family .