Enduring Holiday Meals with In-Laws You Cannot Stand

Holidays are known for family get togethers and meals. Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the biggest family shared holidays of all times.

Making all of these family meals can be very fun and exciting for you and your children. However, under some circumstances they can also be a big disaster.

So what do you do when you cannot stand your in-laws? These family meals and events can be very stressful and full of tension for everyone. While you cannot control the words or actions of your in-laws toward you, you can control your actions toward them. Be the bigger and better person and make the best of spending time with your in-laws. I for no other reason, do it for your spouse and your children.

If you are forced to have a meal with in-laws that you cannot get along with, try to keep your distance. If you get along with other members in the family, consume your time talking with them. Play with the children or make small talk that cannot be controversial.

Although these may be terrible people, they did give life to your spouse. You have to give them that much. Keep trouble form your marriage and do your part to make peace.

If your in-laws begin to make trouble, keep your distance and refrain form arguing back. This way your spouse can see that you were not the cause or contributor to the problem. He/she can focus the blame on the parents and take up the argument with them instead of causing trouble in your marriage. Also you never want your children to see you attacking their grandparents. You want to appear to be the better person. Be nice and polite for one evening is not going to hurt anyone.

When topics of talk turn to issues that you know you do not agree with or feel threatened by, excuse your self from the table or the room. Go to the bathroom and take a breather. While you may be spending most of your time in the potty, at least you can avoid an argument or two.

If issues need to be discussed with your in-laws, always let your spouse take the lead. Things will not seem like such bad ideas if they come from the son or daughter instead of the son-in-law or daughter-in-law.

Most of all, make sure that your spouse always supports you. He/she should not be putting you down in front of his/her parents.