Dealing With In-Laws: Marriage Counseling And Resolving Conflicts Peacefully

Marriage is the union of two people, their children, and laws that govern family dynamics, We may not be vocal about it, but getting the approval of extended relatives, specifically your in-laws, is a big thing for most people who are trying to connect with united family members. It is believed to create a healthy familial relationship to create significance in moments of marriage. Truth be told, many people have issues with the parents of both sites despite being perfect as a couple. Parents of couples will have varying opinions about their marriage, including the traits, character, and other what nots with the married couple. In this article, we have listed the different scenarios that lead to conflicts among extended families. We’ve also listed the different ways in which marriage counseling can help resolve your issues.

In-law problems are common ground in marriages, and usually, it involves crazy specific in-law issues. These can include warning signs of interference, clashing of values, or conflict of interest. It cannot help to participate in handling decisions by the couple.

Sometimes, these people don’t realize they are already overstepping the boundaries that affect well-being and mental health, for example, when they point to decide on the little things for their daughter or son-in-law and treat them as kids.

“[M]ost people struggle with in-law issues or in-law relationships on some level,” said Meredith Hansen, Psy.D, and if you are experiencing these challenges, know that you’re not alone.

There is always that wanting of approval of extended relatives because most people who are trying to connect within the circle of the family while dealing with extended family - People in the dining table having dinner
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The Role of In-Laws In A Marriage

Effectively managing mother-in-law relationships with toxic in-laws, especially with mothers-in-law, and tips for dealing with their behavior as a daughter-in-law have a profound impact on a marriage. This fact is backed up by research that states that close relationships with in-laws are detrimental to a couple’s happiness and peace. Conflict with in-laws may lead to marital problems. Therefore, immediate family members should establish boundaries.

A mother or father-in-law may disapprove of several things in how your deal with your marriage, such as your united front family life, your job, or the way you raise your children. However, their unsolicited parenting advice will depend on the married couple if the views of the in-laws will have a significant effect on their complicated relationship.

Moreover, it will also depend on how the couple reacts to the views, ideas, and opinions given by the spouse’s family. Both should focus on marriage and family relationships and setting boundaries to get along, whether it’s with a father-in-law, a toxic in-law, or even with a sister-in-law.

Marriage Problems Caused By In-Laws And Its Effect On Your Marital Situation

“Healthy couples separate their own relationship from their in-laws,” according to Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S.

“They remember that no matter how complicated or difficult their in-laws may be, they are not married to them, and time and again, they must set boundaries to maintain a healthy relationship” F. Diane Barth, LCSW, said.

dealing in-laws - A photo of two beautiful women together. No matter how complicated or difficult the situation is, they still love each other.
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Solving Conflicts With In-Laws

There are various ways of dealing with in-laws and even your own parents. One way to rule it and have a healthy relationship, or law relationships, is to try to focus and communicate to them appropriately to setting boundaries. Some couples initiate by gently confronting them about their issues regarding the extended family’s involvement in the family.

Through this, one partner or both were able to protect, establish authority, and limitations, especially with parenting in their family’s system. It will help them get along and strengthen their family relationship.

However, if matters between you and your spouse or husband are not going well due to the consistent interference and control of in-laws, the situation has to be dealt with in the house differently. You might spend unnecessary physical and emotional energy dealing with this. And that is not helpful.

The Importance Of Seeking Marriage Counseling When Resolving Conflicts Between Married Couple And In-Laws

Couples or partners who seek marriage counseling due to problems caused by their relationship with extended family are not a new concept. Seeking guidance from a family therapist can be a valuable step in addressing issues related to toxic in-laws and improving family relationships. It is, in fact, being their own family is a common problem between a married couple and in-laws.

Another way to solve this issue is for the couple to undergo online marriage counseling. The eye-to-eye treatment will help couples maintain a healthy relationship and decide based on the specific advice of a professional.

Marital Issues – You Should Try Online Marriage Counseling To Resolve Conflicts In The Family

Nowadays, a lot of married couples choose to undergo online marriage counseling instead of having face-to-face interactions with a therapist. Most of them are not comfortable meeting a therapist traditionally. Some couples prefer to do online therapy and counseling because of the benefits it can provide.

A woman seeking help through online counseling. One benefit of online marriage counseling is its accessibility.
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What Are The Benefits Of Online Marriage Counseling For Married Couples?

One benefit of online marriage and family counseling is its accessibility. With only a laptop and a stable internet connection, you can start your online counseling session anytime, even at night, and anywhere you feel comfortable, enhancing your married life. It is also relatively cheaper than face-to-face meetings with wellness therapy experts. The following are just some of the benefits of online marriage counseling:

  1. Convenience and accessibility: Online marriage counseling allows couples to receive professional help from the comfort of their own homes. They can schedule sessions at a time that works best for both of them without the need to travel to a physical location.
  2. Greater privacy: Some couples may feel more comfortable discussing personal and sensitive issues in the privacy of their own space. Online counseling offers a level of confidentiality and anonymity that can encourage open and honest communication.
  3. Wide range of options: Online marriage counseling provides access to a larger pool of therapists and counselors compared to traditional in-person counseling. This means couples have more choices to find a professional who best suits their needs and preferences.
  4. Flexible communication channels: Online counseling platforms offer various communication options, such as video calls, voice calls, instant messaging, and email. This flexibility allows couples to communicate in the way they feel most comfortable, ensuring effective and meaningful discussions.
  5. Cost-effective: Online marriage counseling is often more affordable than in-person counseling. Couples can save money on transportation costs and may have access to lower-priced counseling packages or sliding-scale fees.

Online Marriage Counseling Provides Group Sessions – All You Need To Know

Online marriage counseling also provides group sessions. Your online therapist may connect you with couples experiencing the same dilemma, and you can exchange stories or a hypothetical situation that might happen, and you’re afraid of and pointers with them. With this, you will be able to understand better that you are not the only wife or husband experiencing the difficult situation you are in.

Online Marriage Counseling Provides Anonymity And Privacy

Among other things, anonymity and privacy are also significant benefits that a couple can gain from a visit to online marriage counseling treatment. It is not for everyone, so to speak, but it is definitely worth the try as it can help lives. If you still want to know more about the benefits of online marriage counseling, you can quickly check this link:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What To Do When You Don’t Like Your Spouse’s Parents?

It’s essential to address this situation with open communication. First, consider talking to your spouse about your feelings, expressing your concerns calmly and honestly. Seek compromise and find ways to navigate interactions with your spouse’s parents, focusing on mutual respect and understanding. If necessary, consider seeking guidance from a family therapist to help improve the family relationships.

How Do You Handle The Difficult Parent Of Your Spouse?

Handling a difficult father-in-law or mother-in-law can be challenging. Start by maintaining your composure and not reacting emotionally. Engage in conversations with your spouse to develop a united front. Additionally, you can set healthy boundaries to manage their behavior while prioritizing your married life.

How Do You Handle Your Spouse’s Parents That Disrespect You?

Dealing with toxic in-laws who disrespect you requires assertiveness and clear communication. Speak to your spouse about your feelings and ask for their support in addressing the issue together. Consider involving a family therapist if necessary to mediate and improve the family relationships.

What will you do if the parents of your spouse are nagging you?

When facing nagging from your spouse’s parents, it’s crucial to stay patient and composed. Discuss your concerns with your spouse, emphasizing the impact of the constant nagging on your married life. Together, explore ways to address the issue and, if needed, establish healthy boundaries with their parents.

When your spouse’s parents are toxic?

If your spouse’s parents exhibit toxic behavior, it’s vital to prioritize your well-being and your family relationships. Engage in open conversations with your spouse about the toxic behavior and its effects on your relationship. Seek support from a family therapist to find constructive ways to handle the situation.

Is it normal not to like your mother-in-law?

It’s relatively common for individuals to have differences or conflicts with their mother-in-law. These feelings can arise due to various factors, but it’s crucial to work towards understanding and improved communication for the sake of marriage and family harmony.

How do you tell if your spouse’s parents don’t like you?

Signs that your spouse’s parents may not like you can include cold or distant behavior, frequent criticism, or exclusion from family gatherings. In such cases, communication with your spouse is key to understanding their parents’ feelings and working together to address any issues.

How do you set healthy boundaries with the parents of your spouse?

Establishing healthy boundaries with your spouse’s parents is essential for a harmonious married life. Communicate your boundaries clearly and respectfully with your spouse, and together, decide how to communicate these boundaries to their parents while maintaining respect and understanding.

Why are mother-in-laws so difficult?

Mother-in-laws may be perceived as difficult due to various factors, including differences in personalities, expectations, and cultural backgrounds. It’s essential to engage in open dialogue and find common ground to improve your relationship and family relationships.

Do people divorce because of in-laws?

While in-laws can contribute to marital conflicts, divorce is typically a result of various factors. Issues with in-laws can strain a marriage, but the decision to divorce usually involves a combination of factors, including communication problems, compatibility issues, and more.

If You’re Not Happy And You Know It, Try These Tips

Are you unhappy?

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Do you know how scary it is to know that you are unhappy, (suffering mental health problems or mental illness) but you have no idea what you can do to make it stop?

I do. Throughout my college days, I had been sad about almost every aspect of my life.

The Situation With My Parents

For one, my parents decided to split. As it turned out, they had been sleeping in different beds ever since I was in middle school. I merely had no idea because I always slept like a log and would only wake up when both of them were already up. My parents wanted me out of the house before they filed for divorce because they could not bear to see their only child deal with a broken home for years.

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In addition to that, my high school boyfriend and I had to go to different universities. He had a full-ride football scholarship in his dream school, while I got into an Ivy League school. We talked every night on the phone in the first few months, but our communication started to dwindle after some time. Before the semester ended, I found out that he embraced the jock (or should I say ‘jerk’?) life and started sleeping with one woman after another almost every night. Worse, I had to see him pick up women at the bar before realizing why he wasn’t answering my calls anymore.

My Psychological Wellness Not Improving

The fact that I lived in the dorms with a bunch of other girls did not improve my mental health and I was still unhappy. I did not get lucky in the roommate department since I got stuck with two younger adults: a weed smoker and – pardon my French – a college slut. The smell of the weed, I could still forgive because she always smoked next to the window. But it was horrible to live with a promiscuous young adult who had different guys knocking on our dorm room often. I ended up yelling at the latter when she attempted to have sex with someone, even though we were there.

I knew I was almost on the verge of breaking down when a professor chose me as her most-hated student. Every time we met, she often tried to catch me off guard with her questions, and she was always close to succeeding. I was always close to one day losing interest just like that. But when I learned about my parents’ divorce, I didn’t get to study the night before, so I went to the professor’s class with a blank mind. Though I don’t want to elaborate about the humiliation that I experienced that day, let’s say that it was so bad I wanted to jump off the bridge then. Safe to say, mental health illnesses such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and more, along with unhappy mental health, were already creeping in.

Source: pexels.com

Taking Control Of My Psychological Wellness

Despite everything, I was lucky that my best friend lived in a nearby dorm. I called her on that day; I couldn’t even formulate words because of how defeated I felt. Still, she went to my dorm and pulled me to our favorite alfresco café and forced me to tell her everything that bothered me.

After an hour of listening, my best friend said, “I know you are very emotional to see reason right now. However, I want you to remember that life doesn’t end when your parents divorce, your boyfriend cheats, or your roommates and professors suck. You need to prove now more than ever that their actions only make you stronger.”

My best friend walked me back to the dorm afterward, and I went straight to bed. When I woke up, my best friend’s words came back to me and somehow made me want to take control of my mental health depressive disorder.

Source: pexels.com

Reversing My Unhappiness

The first thing I did was break up with my boyfriend. I asked him to meet me; he tried to give an alibi, but I said it was urgent, so he had to go. When he saw me, the prick looked surprise after seeing a massive box of mementos that he gifted to me over the years. I would have split with him calmly, but I couldn’t help but smack his face when he acted hurt and asked why I was leaving him. Nevertheless, he backed away when I told him that I knew his cheating habits.

Then, I went home to talk to my parents. Although I was still shocked by their divorce, I had to let them know that they should no longer feel guilty about it. They were not young adults anymore; they had to find their own happiness sooner than later. We cried for some time, but we separated with light hearts.

About My Roommates

As for my roommates, I couldn’t do anything with them, so I asked my best friend if she wanted to get an apartment with me in between our universities. She agreed; that’s why I didn’t have roommate problems anymore.

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Then, since there was only a month left for the semester, I poured all my attention to studying for that nasty professor’s class. I aced every exam she threw at us, so she had no choice but to give me the highest marks. Ha!

Final Thoughts

I believe it makes an entire world of difference when you are aware of your unhappiness and health conditions. It pushes you to ask for help or figure out how to resolve your problems. For some, coping with mental health depression and sadness can be a real struggle. For people who find major depression overwhelming, some light wellness therapy with a health care provider, SSRIs, and nutrition lifestyle changes can make a great difference. I am so lucky that I have enough courage to able to reverse my unhappiness.

Am I Still Unhappy? No Way!

But for people who observe symptoms of depression, help treatment is there. When someone sad begins to experience depression and sad symptoms like trouble with sleep patterns, substance abuse, trouble sleeping, unexplained weight gain, eating disorders, affective disorder, try to begin treatment with trusted health care providers.

Support groups and additional resources are there for you. That is whether you are sad because of winter blues, winter depression, seasonal affective disorder, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, or even something as simple as a lack of vitamin D. Again, support groups and professional help are there for you.

FAQs

Nourishment Therapy: Understanding The Importance Of Your Consumption

Food therapy – what is it?

What is food therapy and how is food therapy different from other forms of therapy? What are the benefits of food therapy for individuals with various physical and mental health conditions? Here, we will learn the importance of food therapy and how food therapy can change our lives for the better.

Food therapy can be used to balance the disharmony of your health to be able to find and reduce the causes of certain illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
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As per food therapy advice, there are a lot of different things that you need to eat to be able to attain the health benefits you need. You should choose the food based on what your body is going through, and the choice of food that you have to consider may depend on the weather and your mood, such as thinking about food and grief, food and anxiety, food and stress, and so on. This is one of the aspects considered in food therapy.

What You Eat Defines You!

“The food you eat can have a direct effect on your energy level, physical health, and mood. A “healthy diet” is one that has enough of each essential nutrient, contains many foods from all of the basic food groups, provides the right amount of calories to maintain a healthy weight, and does not have too much fat, sugar, salt, or alcohol,” as stated by Carol A. Gooch, M.S., LPC, LCDC, LMFT.

However, in medical terms, the therapist uses food therapy to balance the disharmony of your health to be able to find and reduce the causes of certain illnesses such as depression and anxiety. The process should be able to make you feel better. So how can this therapy help you? Listed are the things you need to know when it comes to choosing the type of food to consume, as well as more facts about food therapy.

Continue reading “Nourishment Therapy: Understanding The Importance Of Your Consumption”

The Connection Of Food In Psychiatry Treatment

People who suffer from depression and anxiety may benefit mental health by changing their diet. “Making little changes to your diet can add up to BIG health benefits,” says Elaine Magee, MPH, RD. So it is significant to understand the role of the food you eat and those you don’t because every type of food you take in can create a substantial impact on your mood, function, and development. It will become a practical basis to reduce symptoms of depression which is useful in psychiatric treatment. 

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Online Therapy Health Guide: What Your Lip Color Says About Your Wellbeing

We all have different colored lips that we thought are normal to see every day. But do you know it can determine the probable condition of your health? It will allow you to assess the things you need to do and not to do to be able to keep yourself healthy. So here are the things that your lips can tell you about your health based on an online therapy health guide. 

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10 Things We Enjoyed Doing Before Technological Advancements Came Into Being

Can you guess what ten things I have on this list that people relished doing before technological advancements (seem to) replaced them? Take a couple of minutes to make up your list before reading on and see if we’ve ticked off the same things!

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He Is The Perfect Man (My Mental Health Is In Tiptop Shape When I Say This)

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“Healthy relationships are based on mutual understanding, respect, and open communication. Facilitate these in order to ensure the greatest likelihood of a satisfying relationship – for you and your partner,” Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. said this, and I believer her, which is why I stayed with the father of my children.

I married the perfect man. Do you know why? We’ve been married for almost 20 years, and yet he left me for a younger woman. I was thirty-nine years old at that time, and the blonde he met at Target was only twenty-three. She also happens to be just three years older than our first-born. Yes, I married the perfect man. My mental health is in tiptop shape now when I say this.

Continue reading “He Is The Perfect Man (My Mental Health Is In Tiptop Shape When I Say This)”

Tips In Handling The Mental Health Problems Of Another 

Nowadays, many people have experienced severe mental health problems that prevent them from moving forward with their lives. According to clinical psychologist Simon Pestell, “One in four people will suffer a mental health condition in their lifetime.” These individuals get stuck because they refuse to get help. Unfortunately, seeking the assistance and advice of a therapist or psychiatrist is still considered as a taboo in society. Many individuals avoid professional help because of their fear of being judged by others.

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5 Ways To Detoxify From Social Media

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Gone are the days when all we have was the newspaper and the library. The world seemed wonderfully big, and everything we find out about different people and places seemed extraordinary. “Because social media has become such an integrated component of human interaction, it is important for clinicians interacting with young adults to recognize the balance to be struck in encouraging potential positive use, while redirecting from problematic use,” said  Brian A. Primack, M.D., Ph.D.

Today, the internet, particularly the social media, has made our world peculiarly small. If we try to pause and ponder about the things we know about almost everything in this world, social media icons are hovering above our heads.

Have you ever wondered how your day be like without browsing your phones and laptops? You might be amazed how much change it will make. You can improve your life and promote wellness in your overall wellbeing by doing a social media detox.

5 Ways to Detoxify from Social Media

  1. Turn off all your gadgets: phone, computer, TV, or any device where you could access social media. Not everything we see on social media is true. Sometimes, there are news and videos out there that are just made to confuse and distract. In fact, Cortney S. Warren Ph.D. said that “Social media sites can be breeding grounds for dishonesty.”

Notice how sometimes you could be upset about something that happened on the other side of the world that even though you are happy, you’ll suddenly be gloomy and paranoid.

  1. Clean your room, or if you’re feeling more energetic, you can clean the entire house. We spend a great deal of time on social media that we ignore how untidy our surrounding is. We forget important household chores that are truly stressful when piled up.

So go ahead and do the laundry, wash the dishes, or unclutter your desk to make your surrounding pleasant to the eyes.

  1. Create something remarkable out of your time. Great things in this world didn’t just happen. They were made by someone who invested his time and effort. You can’t do that while on your phone.

Clear your mind of the things that don’t involve you, and start using it for more productive things or your passion like art, cooking, music, or anything that will contribute to your wellness physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.

  1. Go somewhere awe-inspiring. Unwind and reflect on your life. This will be a time for you to remember your proprieties and assess yourself if you’re actually on the right path towards your goal.

Go somewhere you’ve never been or a place you always wanted to visit. They are breath-taking in person. You will realize the feeling you’re missing when you’re just looking at them on your screen.

  1. Catch up with someone you miss, or you always wanted to see but never had personally. People nowadays are too comfortable communicating with their phones and computers.

Although the internet has quite a lot of advantages especially when it comes to our careers and businesses, our relationship with the people we care about like our family and friends should not be left on the hands of technology.

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Most of our emotional distress and heavy-heartedness comes from the awful things we see on social media. It is human nature to empathize that’s why we feel despair when we watch or read something tragic that happened to someone else, and this could be unhealthy for us. According to Kristen Fuller, M.D., clinical writer, “It is no secret that the social media frenzy has become out of control and studies are now showing that social media use can lead to depression, low self-esteem, body image issues, anxiety, social isolation, and the list goes on.”

We may not realize it, but the social media has taken over our lives, and if it changes your life for the worse, maybe it’s time to do a social media detox. Start caring about yourself and others around you by promoting personal touch to everything. After all, your physical self is your original social medium.