Therapist Lauren Auwood emphasizes how boundaries without consequences are merely suggestions. For example, if an in-law criticizes a parenting style, the couple needs to present a united front. That reinforces their authority as parents. If they're visiting or calling too often, decide how often you'll communicate (whether in person, on the phone, through email, or other) and stick to it. Kindly inform the in-laws that if they drop by unannounced, you will not be opening the door.
#22 Father-In-Law Ate My Leftovers. It Was A Half A Burger, And My Leftover Cheesecake From My Friend's Birthday Party Last Night. I Was So Excited To Finish It This Morning
#23 When Your Mother-In-Law Makes A Surprise Visit And Stays For A Month
#24 My Grandmother-In-Law Used My Favorite Mug For A Grease Cup And Stuck It In The Back Of The Fridge
Boundaries with in-laws can also be very different depending on your culture. Perinatal therapist Dr. Zann explains that for people of color, the word 'boundaries' might sound like rejection and disrespect toward their community values.
"Consider not calling it a boundary'. Using psychology/therapy speak may be confusing, especially for those from immigrant backgrounds or non-western cultures," Dr. Zann points out. "Express your needs, of course, but do it in a way that your family will understand."
#25 My In-Laws Who Use A Little Off Every Single Roll Of Toilet Paper Instead Of One At A Time
#26 Told My In Laws They Need To Be Taking This Virus More Seriously. This Is How The Conversation Started
#27 Mil Trying To Access Our Email. Not The First Time And Yes We Called To Confirm It Was Her. Yes She's Crazy
All this talk about toxic in-laws might make you think that all in-law relationships are doomed. But there's research that proves relationships with in-laws can be nice. A 2021 survey of American women revealed that 51% of daughters-in-law are happy with their relationships with the MIL. Three-quarters of mothers-in-law also say they have a very good relationship with their DIL.
#28 My Christmas Present From My Mil. Meanwhile I Got Her ~$200 Worth Of Jewelry And Cosmetics
What about your relationships with your in-laws, Pandas? Is there any drama happening in your family you think is worth sharing with other Pandas? Let us know in the comments below! And if you're up for more posts about horrible in-laws, head over here and facepalm at these infuriating pics.
#31 Let Brother-In-Law Stay With Us While He Got Back On His Feet, And Came Home To Every Glass Piece In My House Broken
#32 In-Laws Turned Off The Pool For A Week (God Knows Why) While I Was Away And Now I Have To Do Damage Control
#33 My Mother-In-Law Told Me That She Had A Bottle Of Children’s Tylenol When There Was A Shortage. I Looked At The Package While At Her House Today
#34 Mother-In-Law Decided To Undress The Christmas Tree And Drag It 25ft Towards The Front Door By Herself
#35 My Sister-In-Law Lives With Us And Uses Our Things. This Is How She Leaves My Peloton After Use Even After I’ve Mentioned It A Few Times
#36 Mother-In-Law Sterilized My Daughter’s Bottles In A Pot Of Boiling Water…
#37 Mil’s Comment On My Instagram
#38 My Wife And I Went On Vacation And She Asked My Brother-In-Law To Feed The Turtle. He Set The Heat Lamp On Top Of The Steam Deck In It's Case For Some Reason, And Forgot To Put It Back
#39 My Mother-In-Law Started The Dishwasher For Us When We Were Away. She Used Dish Soap
#40 How My Mother In Law Cooks Chicken Dinner When We Visit
