Mutual respect, acceptance, love, and guidance are some of the magic ingredients The Epoch Times reporters from Slovakia to Australia found when they asked locals: “Do you have good relations with your in-laws?”
George Messiha, 38, Service Manager
My relationship with my in-laws is very good, because I love them and they love me and they accept me as their son. And also they know their limits so they don’t interfere with our life. And I really honor them and go to them for help whenever we need to. They are good people, they are very well educated and I believe myself because I am a good Christian and they are good Christians as well.
Pepi Cabrera, 59, Lawyer
Yes, I do. In my case, my relation with them is wonderful. Especially with my sister-in-law because we live close to each other and share a lot of time together. Maybe I’m the exception to the rule, but my life experience with my in-laws is one of care, good times, and helping each other.
Celia Sawbridge, 56, Semi-retired Health Visitor
My father-in-law is no longer with us, but I used to get on with him very well. My mother-in-law is 95 years old, and we get on well. She is now in a care home, and suffering from dementia. For five years she lived with us, after living on her own and before going into the care home. That was very hard, but I am proud that we looked after her for those years.
Stefan Tomis, 34, Head of Architect Studio
When I started dating my wife, my mother-in-law was not very excited, and she let me feel that. I didn’t meet her expectations. However, after our son was born, her view of me changed. Perhaps it’s because I devote all my free time to him and the result is, I am the best son-in-law ever now.
Marie Blücher Nystrom, 51, Preschool Teacher
Yes, I have. I have a closer relationship with my husband’s mother. I can talk about everything with her. When my husband is with us, she acts in a typical mother-in-law syndrome. We are two stubborn and strong women who know the best, but the generation gap between us prevents conflicts. If I have some troubles in life I can talk to her, and I get great tips and ideas. We have the same profession, and I receive a lot of good hints and fantastic tips. We listen to each other and compliment each other very much.
Marzia Gallo, 39, Laborer
I get along with my mother-in-law, she gives me a hand and we have good relations. I have two children, she helps me to watch them and handle them and I feel good. She has known me since I was a child, she saw me run and grow, and then I became her daughter-in-law. There are obviously bickering sometimes, but we need each other. She needs the children, and I need her. So there is a good relationship, I love her.
Mandy van Helsdingen, 38, Administration
Yes, I do have good relations with my in-laws, very nice polite people, family orientated, so very caring.
Jairo Alt, 25, Graphic Designer
Yes ... it’s a relation of fellowship. I have lived with my father-in-law for some time, and he helped me in both the financial and emotional sides. ... He was a second father to me.
Lodz, Poland
Wojciech Smejda, 30, Electromonter and Tradesman
Yes, I have good relations with my in-laws. Well, I don’t want to suffocate them [laugh]. They are very kind, and I feel very good with this. They help a lot. Without in-laws, without parents there is actually no start in life at all. That is very important in the beginning.
Dima Hassan, 22, Sales Executive
She helps me every time I ask her about what I can do if I have a problem. She likes me also because I’m very nice to her. I speak with her as my mother and she is very nice. She is very good because she is very sensitive. She helps me with my husband, she gives me advice and she is very like my mother and like all my family because I am living with her. My family is in Lebanon and I am living with my mother-in-law.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. The Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “If you could be leader of your country for a day what major change(s) would you make?”
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