Surprise Party

Keep in mind my son and his wife live out of town. She also invited us.

Sometimes good manners are not taught and have to be learned on ones own. If this is the only time she has ignored you, I wouldn't worry about it. She may have been overwhelmed by throwing the whole surprise party and some things just got overlooked.

Believe me this is not the first time this has happened. She is totally different toward her family. She is all bubbly when she is with them. She is not the type of person that I can have a conversation with her answers are either yes or no. She has nothing to add.

How can you over look your mother in-law and father in- arriving from out of town?

Not knowing either one of you, or your daughter-in-law, it's hard to answer that question. Have you mentioned this to your son? Surely he may be able to provide you with the answer you are looking for.

You son loves this woman. Surely you love your son enough to donate a kidney? Just think of being pleasant to this woman as a sort of kidney donation that you do for love of your son.

Tience, maybe you should give her a big hug. Just walk right up and hug her and then say, "Hey cutie, let's go grab a beer and watch some bowling on tv."

I am quite certain that will work.

Tience- Listen to Gus. Beneath the flapdoodle, there are a lot of wise words.

Don't stand on ceremony. Maybe your daughter in law likes you, maybe she doesn't. Maybe she is a rude, unmannerly person. Maybe not.

The point is that she is married to your son, and he loves her. On the occasions that you do see her, be pleasant, if not downright exuberant. It will make for a much better relationship.

I...I...I've never heard those words spoken before.

I think I'm going to cry.

Aw com'ere Gus. Mamma'll make it ALL better!

Rarely do I use emoticons, but words alone could not express my emotions at that statement.

My daughter in-law doesn't drink, maybe I would like her better if she did.
Are you saying I should let her treat me any way because she is married to my son. Think, would you really go visit her and be treated as though you don't exist?

I have a daughter-in-law whom I adore and a passel of step-daughters-in-law who range from courteous to unfriendly. None of them are well-informed and none of them share my interests. Such is the luck of the draw that my stepsons all live in the area and my own son and his wife are six hours away.

Once, twice a month--if that often--I socialize like a lady. The rest of the time I'm happy that I don't see them more often. None of these women married into the family to enrich my life--nor do I expect them to do so. All of them, despite what I consider to be limitations make my stepsons and the grandchildren happy.

Their behavior is not my problem and I do not choose to make it my problem. As far as I'm concerned, once or twice a month is enough time to spend with these women. The rest of the month is my time, and free from discourtesy and boredom.

What does your husband say about his daughter-in-law? Do you have a close relationship with your son? Has this marriage produced any grandchildren?

Sometimes seeking better family relations are like a great-hearted but somewhat short sighted dog chasing a car. If he caught the car, what would he do with it?

My husband doesn't like the daughter in-law anymore than I do. They have one child. She is enough to drive you to drink. Maybe, I should have a glass of wine before I visit her.

A little wine might be a good idea--one glasse before the visit and two glasses afterward.

Good luck.