By: Jenifer Metzger
Thanksgiving is only days away. A day of giving thanks for all of our blessings and enjoying our family and friends. Then less than a month later, Christmas. The day of celebrating our Savior's birth.
Beautiful days that sometimes cause friction in relationships. Especially with in-laws.
Two ways of making the potatoes.
Two ideas on how to set the dinner table.
Whose house to go to for dinner.
Whose green bean casserole is better.
The friction can be rough. Here are a few ways to survive the holidays with the in-laws.
Thanksgiving is only days away. A day of giving thanks for all of our blessings and enjoying our family and friends. Then less than a month later, Christmas. The day of celebrating our Savior's birth.
Beautiful days that sometimes cause friction in relationships. Especially with in-laws.
Two ways of making the potatoes.
Two ideas on how to set the dinner table.
Whose house to go to for dinner.
Whose green bean casserole is better.
The friction can be rough. Here are a few ways to survive the holidays with the in-laws.
- Spend time with God in the morning first thing. Even though an athlete knows his game, he warms up before each game. This prepares him for what is ahead. Warm up by spending time with God. Let Him fill you and warm you up for what's ahead. Even though the day will be busy, make God a priority.
- Remember that family is a blessing. Family is important and your family is a gift from God to you. Even your husband's family.
- Remember they are his. Even though your mother-in-law might buck your efforts at every turn or correct your every move, remember that she raised the man you love. You could even go as far to thank her for raising your husband.
- Breathe. It can be so easy to let the chaos of the day threaten to strangle you. Sister, just breathe. Slow down. The holidays are not about hustle and bustle. Just breathe and go with the flow.
- Take the pressure off yourself and indulge your in-laws at the same time. If your mother-in-law, or maybe sister-in-law, prides herself on her beautiful table-scapes. Ask for her help this year. Not only does it free you up a bit, but she will be thrilled that you asked! Find areas that will be a good fit and ask for help.
- Don't forget to thank them! If you are not hosting, but going to your in-laws, consider a small gift, like a flower arrangement or candle, and thank them for hosting and having your family over.
- Lend a helping hand. Hosting a holiday get together is a lot of hard work. My husband and I host each Thanksgiving and Christmas for my side of the family, at least 30 people each time. It is a ton of work preparing the days before to get the house ready, then the work the day of, then the work to clean up and put the house back together in the days after. If you are going to your in-laws, offer to help. Call your host and ask if you can do anything to help before the day of. And definitely lend a hand in the dishes and pick up the day of. Believe me, it's a blessing!
Our family is so blessed. As a child, I prayed constantly that my future husband's parents and I would get along well and vice versa. And God is faithful. While both of our sets of the parents may not be the best of friends, they are friendly and mutually respectful. I also prayed that each of my children would have the same kind of 'in-laws.' In our family, we don't do much in the way of 'in-laws.' And, I believe that they do. Family is near and dear to my heart and I am ever thankful that God has given me an amazing one!
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