How to Love Your In-Laws

One friend only ever refers to her husband’s mother as her mother-in-love. Another says her mother-in-law was the mother she never had. But another describes her relationship with her mother-in-law as the single most heartbreaking relationship of her life.

How can you nurture a friendship with your mother-in-law? How do you deal with conflict and misunderstandings with your husband’s family? How can you infuse more grace into your relationship with your mother-in-law or your daughter-in-law? The resources below are designed to encourage you as you seek the grace to enrich the relationships in your family.

for daughters-in-law

How to Live in Peace with Your In-Laws

Our series begins with an introduction to a family devoid of in-laws. You may be surprised at the perspective this post gives you!

10 Things I’d Love for My Daughter-in-Law to Know About Me

Susan Alexander Yates shares insight from a mother-in-law’s perspective. Don’t miss this glimpse into her heart! (Here’s the companion piece, for mothers-in-law.)

How to Honor Your Husband’s Mother

Durenda Wilson shares six scriptural principles that will challenge every daughter-in-law.

The Secret to Loving Your Mother-in-Law

What is the secret to loving your mother-in-law? Is it how she treats you or does it have more to do with your thoughts toward her? Tracy Hoth shares some insight with us.

When Your Mother-in-Law Rejects You

An anonymous author shares the lessons she’s learned from 27 years of a tumultuous relationship with her mother-in-law.

Hope for Your Marriage When You Have a Difficult Mother-in-Law

Nel Stephenson was afraid she’d ruined her life when the situation with her mother-in-law became the most painful trial she’d ever faced. But she found hope. And so can you.

This Is Why You Can Have Hope for Your Mother-in-Law

Lisa Jacobson shares a powerful story of two strong women living in the same house–challenges, tears, and finally, forgiveness and redemption.

If You Want to Get Along (Better) With Your In-Laws

Lisa Jacobson visits The Better Mom to share the lessons she learned from over 17 years of living in the same house as her mother-in-law.

God Chose Your Mother-in-Law

Stacy Reaoch shares five reasons to lean in and love the one God hand-picked to be your mother-in-law.

Moving Toward Your Mother-In-Law in Love

Stacy Reaoch talks about how she battled insecurity and shares four steps toward a fruitful relationship with your mother-in-law.

Surviving the Holidays With Your In-laws

Barbara Rainey offers a reader some tried and true wisdom for turning the quantity time of the holidays into quality time.

How to Establish Boundaries with the InLaws and Outlaws this Holiday Season

Matt Jacobson offers solid advice for establishing boundaries and navigating the holiday season with extended family.

Helping Your Husband Care for His Mom

Christy Fitzwater shares the poignant story of what she learned by watching her sister-in-law care for Christy’s own mother.

for mothers-in-law

How to be a Great Mother-in-Law

Susan Alexander Yates offers years of wisdom and experience in this post.

4 Surprising Relationship Lessons from the Story of Ruth

Shannon Coe looks at the story of Ruth and Naomi from the perspective of a mother-in-law, realizing that love looks different for different women.

When Queens Collide: How to Become a More Gracious Mother-in-Law

As the mother of four boys, Shannon Coe knew she needed a plan. In this post, she shares her own strategies to change her heart, her mind, and her reactions as she embraced her new role of mother-in-law.

Redefining the Dreaded Mother-in-Law Stereotype

Chautona Havig takes a hard look at Naomi’s supposed bitterness, sharing five lessons she’s learned from Naomi and her own mother and mother-in-law.

Marks of a Spirit-Filled Mother-in-Law

Michele Morin shares four important guidelines she’s learned as her four sons begin to marry.

10 Things I’d Love My Mother-in-Law to Know About Me

Phylicia Masonheimer never wanted a joke-book relationship with her mother-in-law–and neither does any other daughter-in-law. Proper communication and perspective will go a long way toward preventing that! (Here’s the companion post, for daughters-in-law.)

A Tribute to My Daughters-in-Law

Susan Alexander Yates gives a touching tribute to her sons’ wives, providing perspective for every mother-in-law as she counts her own blessings.

To My Mother-in-Law, Thank You For Loving Me As a Daughter

Amy Williams shares a sweet tribute to her mother-in-law.

A Prayer for My Son’s Someday Bride-to-Be

Being a gracious mother-in-law starts long before the day your son stands waiting at the end of the aisle for his bride. Here are some helpful ideas for how to pray for your future daughters-in-law.

for families

25 Great Tips for Building a Relationship With Your In-Laws

The Happy Wives Club compiled over 500 tips on in-law relationships into these 25 must-reads.

The Other Woman: Your In-Law

An anonymous author on Today’s Christian Woman shares her story of learning to love the other woman in her life.

Christmas and the In-Laws

Susan Alexander Yates and Andrea Guitierrez provide newlyweds some insight into celebrating the holidays with the families they married into.

Mothers-in-Law and Daughters-in-Law: women share their hearts

Susan Alexander Yates reveals a fact that may surprise you about what both mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law long for. She addresses false expectations and suggests positive strategies.

Navigating Holidays with Parents, In-Laws and Children

Susan Alexander Yates offers advice on expectations and appreciation during all the family togetherness of the holidays.

7 Tips for Handling Gossip and Slander

Jessiqua’s advice is pertinent for all relationships, but can be especially pertinent for difficult in-law situations.

Giving Grace to My Parents

Jeannie’s reflections apply to more than just your relationship with your biological parents. In-laws need grace, too.

books

How to Live in Peace with Your In-Laws

In this post, the Kindred Grace team provides mini reviews of the books that have aided their relationships with their in-laws.

Making Room for Her: Biblical Wisdom for a Healthier Relationship with Your Mother-In-Law or Daughter-In-Law by Barbara & Stacy Reaoch

Help and encouragement for every age and stage of the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship!

The Mother-in-Law Dance: Can Two Women Love the Same Man and Still Get Along? by Annie Chapman

Beautiful in language and in heart, this book embraces the Titus 2 spirit while exploring the  unique dynamic of the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship.

Related by Chance, Family by Choice: Transforming Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Relationships by Deb DeArmond

Practical advice and biblical wisdom. The chapter about setting expectations during engagement would have been helpful to read before I ever got married!

Mothers-in-Law vs. Daughters-in-Law: Let There Be Peace by Elisabeth Graham

Biblical insight to the challenging struggle this relationship faces.

In-Law Relationships: The Chapman Guide to Becoming Friends with Your In-Laws by Gary Chapman

A guide that is applicable to the daughter-in-law, the mother-in-law, and the sister-in-law without judgment but full of wisdom.

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

This fictional journal provides a more eternal perspective on relationships and unforgettably illustrates how very different perceptions and opinions may be due to personality and circumstance.

Loving Your Daughter-in-law: What YOU Can Do to Have a Better Relationship With Your Daughter-in-law by Cheryl Oliver Pollock

Practical and creative inspiration for any mother-in-law seeking to love and support her daughter-in-law, an opportunity that begins long before your son meets his bride-to-be!

Barbara and Susan’s Guide to the Empty Nest by Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates

Includes tips on building a positive relationship with your “new son” or “new daughter” as well as specific ways to nurture the relationships with their parents.

Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children by Jodie Berndt

It doesn’t matter how old your kids are; you never stop being a parent. Let’s do our best parenting through prayer.

Photography: JenniMarie Photography