MILs and DILs

I was a daughter-in-law (DIL) once upon a time, and my MIL (mother-inlaw) never said a complementary thing about or to me. Oh, she adored her son and grandchildren. But she never gave me a chance. My FIL ( father-in-law) was precious – always sweet and happy.

When my son married I made sure to do and say all the things my MIL didn’t. I tell my DIL (daughter-in-law) how pretty she looks, how delicious her meals are and what a good wife and mother she is. She loves me, asks my opinion about things and then I ask, “What do you think?” And so we chat.

Don’t force your son to choose between his mother and his wife. You’re a better person than that. And anyway, you had your chance with your son when he was growing up. So zip it if you don’t have anything nice to say. MORAG, CAPE TOWN

I lost my mother to cancer when I was 11. My younger brother and I were raised by my dad and our aunts and my gran were always there for us, but my mom’s passing definitely left a hole in my life.

I’d just made peace with it in my mid- twenties, or thought I had, when I met the love of my life. I knew pretty quickly he was the one for me.

But I didn’t only find the man I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. When I met his mom, she and I had an instant connection. My husband and I have been married for 12 years and for me our anniversary also marks the day I was given the gift of my second mom. My mom-in-law is one of the most amazing people I know and I feel so blessed to have her in my life.

Thank you, Mom. BLESSED, EMAIL