When it comes to mothers-in-law, the entire concept gets a bad reputation. They are notorious in movies and television for being difficult women to get along with, but I have found the opposite to be true.
When I met my future husband, I was just 20, so I was a bit shy around his family, but as I’ve gotten older, we’ve gotten much closer. My mother-in-law is a wonderful grandmother to my kids now, and I appreciate her even more.
Growing up, I imagined getting married and having kids, but I never really thought about how my in-laws would be.
That isn’t something you really factor in when imagining the big wedding and the fancy wedding dress.
When my husband and I first started dating, I was intimidated by his parents because I was so young and I felt young. I was in college and about to turn 21. We got engaged before I graduated from college.
As time went on, my in-laws and I got along well, and now, I would say his mother and I are good friends. I am grateful we get along so well because I know this isn’t the case for everyone.
During the first few years of our marriage, my in-laws were an easy car ride away.
We could make a quick visit. They were close by when our first was born, but about a year after that, they moved about two-and-a-half hours away.
This sort of trip wasn’t an easy one anymore because we now had to cart around a child. Then, we had another one, who tends to get car sick, so that kind of trip is still out of the question.
The great thing is my mother-in-law doesn't mind driving down to visit with us and see the kids
She makes frequent trips, so we actually see her a lot more often than other relatives. Even though she lives further away, she makes an effort to see us as much as she can. She comes and has sleepovers. She plays with the kids and humors them in any games they want to play. They bake and do crafts together, and I get a break.
Having kids can be exhausting, especially since I stay home with them
Having her come for a day or two and distract them lets me take a breather or get some work done. I am always glad to have her visit, and the kids love it. Then, when the kids go to sleep, she, my husband, and I all hang out and chat. We get to catch up on each other’s lives, and it’s like having a sleepover with a friend.
I'm so grateful that my kids have such a great relationship with my mother-in-law
When I was growing up, the set of grandparents I had left was pretty old because I was the youngest. We saw each other, but they weren’t able to play with me the same way my mother-in-law can play with my kids.
It was just different
While the relationship with in-laws can be a complicated one, I’m so glad that mine isn’t. My mother-in-law is very supportive of my kids and me. She texts me to ask how we’re doing. Having her there for me is invaluable and something for which I will always be grateful.
