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The 6 Most Toxic In-Laws and How to Handle Them

Mothers-in-laws get a bad rap, but many in-law relationships can be tricky

By Sally Stich and Grandparents.com

(This article previously appeared on Grandparents.com.)

MILs (mother-in-laws), DILs (daughter-in-laws), SILs (son-in-laws). If the word "in-law" is in the name, the relationship is bound to be tricky.

DILs complain about their MILs; MILs complain about their SILs. And one set of in-laws complains about the other set of in-laws.

Unlike dealing with a friend who's toxic, however, you can't exactly say, "See ya, wouldn't want to be ya!" (Well, you can but not without paying a hefty price.)

Jennifer Freed, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Southern California, says that most in-law problems arise from an in-law who doesn't exude maturity. That means you have to be the adult — one with a lot of understanding and a great sense of humor.

Easy? No! But you can do it. Here's how:

1. The No-Boundaries In-Law

Your DIL shows up unannounced at your house, grandkids in tow, because "the kids really wanted to see you right now." (And she stays even if it's clear that you're busy.) Or your SIL assumes you'll watch the kids before he even asks. Boundary issues, anyone?

What drives the behavior: Like exuberant puppies, people without good boundaries are so excited about connecting with others, they aren't always aware of needs outside their own. Underneath that enthusiasm lies anxiety to get what they want, which makes their behavior anything from incredibly annoying to downright rude.

How to respond: Acknowledge the good, then ask for what you need. Example: "We love spending time with you and the grandkids. We're just asking that you call, ask, or inform us beforehand." Say it whenever necessary.

(MORE: Help! I Can't Stand My Child's Partner)

2. The Over-Sharing In-Law

The other set of in-laws love to tell you intimate details about your daughter and their son. They also share details about their son's business, details he probably told them in confidence. Oversharers tell others information that is inappropriate — and often embarrassing to hear.

What drives the behavior: "The oversharer has probably never felt sufficiently responded to," says Freed, "and learned that by telling too much, he or she definitely got attention."

How to respond: Forget trying to change the behavior — it's ingrained. Rather, use humor ("Here we go again!") or change the subject. But most important, watch what you say with this kind of in-law. Don't share what you don't want broadcast everywhere.

3. The Overly Sensitive In-Law

You dine or vacation with your son and DIL and promptly get grilled by your other DIL. She wants to know when you'll be dining or vacationing with them. After all, it's only fair, right?

What drives the behavior: Overly sensitive people see their world as a list of losses. They are also highly competitive with their counterparts. Though there can be five good things to every slight, they focus on the slights.

How to respond: Don't take personally what they take personally. Accept that they are not out to deliberately hurt you, but conversely, do not rescue them. Acknowledge their feelings by saying, "We love being with both sets of our kids," not, "Okay, when do you want to go out for dinner?"

"If you treat them as if they can handle both the perceived slight and your acknowledgment of it," says Freed, "they will get over it." If you try to make everything even steven, you're fueling the fire.

(MORE: The No. 1 Daughter-in-Law Rule)

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4. The Control-Freak In-Law

The other set of in-laws plans so far ahead that by the time you invite the kids for a holiday, they're already booked up. Ditto birthdays, vacations, and special events.

What drives the behavior: For control freaks everything is about the need to feel safe and secure in an unstable world. Anything outside the realm of their control (you, your family, their adult child, the rest of the world) is very threatening.

How to respond: Forget trying to out-control a controller. It will make things worse. Rather, talk to your adult kids and say, "We totally understand your wanting to spend time with the other parents, but we'd like to spend some holidays with you too." If the adult kids waffle, try this, "We feel lonely and marginalized when you do every holiday (birthday, whatever) with Tom's parents." Let them figure out how to make it work.

5. The Fundamentalist In-Law

You and your spouse are moderates in everything you do. Somehow, however, your moderately-raised child marries a person so politically or religiously fundamental that you feel constantly judged, damned, insulted, or dismissed for any beliefs that run counter to the "correct" one.

What drives the behavior: "Most humans have a core need for beliefs," says Freed, "but for intractable thinkers, those beliefs become an antidote to the terrifying uncertainty and ambiguity of life." Their beliefs are as essential to them as crutches to someone who breaks a leg.

How to respond: There's absolutely no changing their beliefs, so become a master at steering the conversation to areas of common interest. Be understanding that these fundamental beliefs are a coping mechanism, not a slam against you.

6. The Strings-Attached In-Law

Every time your SIL offers to help you with something around the house, he says, "It's gonna cost you." Smile, smile. No favor is a favor with this kind of person; it's a bargaining chip for when he (and maybe your daughter) need something from you.

What drives the behavior: "People who attach strings to kind deeds don't really believe others will love them unless they have to," says Freed. "Somewhere along the line, they learned that bribery might sustain a relationship."

How to Respond: It's imperative to let your SIL know that your connection with him stands outside his offers to help. Tell him, "We always appreciate your help, but when there are conditions, it feels like we're in a brokerage not a relationship." Then show him you care about him by making dates to get together one-on-one — invite him to a ball game, out for burgers, anything that shows him you value him for more than just what he does for you.

         

 

Sally Stich Read More
By Grandparents.com

Grandparents.com is a lifestyle website, social media community & peer group that unites & connects America's 70 million Grandparents to the best information and premier products & services just for them. Our goal is to promote well-being and give timely information on what really matters to you, from health and money to family and relationships to travel and retirement.

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