A mother is concerned that her in-laws have been allowing her 15-year-old son to drink beer, which her husband dismisses as harmless based on his own childhood experiences. She insists on strict rules against underage drinking to ensure her son's safety, especially with upcoming driving privileges, and has decided to limit contact with her in-laws until they agree not to let her children drink until they are of legal age.
A mother-in-law's disruptive behavior at her daughter's birthday party prompts a request for a six-month timeout for her parents-in-law, but the advice suggests that while setting boundaries is reasonable, expecting them to change may be unrealistic; instead, focusing on honest communication with the child and managing family interactions is recommended.
A woman expresses frustration with her in-laws who frequently visit but seem more interested in their own activities than bonding with their grandchildren, and are planning to leave early on her son's birthday without celebrating with him. The advice suggests setting boundaries on visits, encouraging grandparents to engage more with the children, and handling the birthday situation delicately by not sharing irritation with the child.
A Chinese-American mother and her husband face pressure from traditional in-laws to have a son to carry on the family legacy, but they are concerned about their daughters feeling less loved or valued. The advice suggests honest communication with the in-laws, setting boundaries about discussing gender expectations around children, and emphasizing the importance of loving and valuing their daughters as they are.
A widower who cared for his wife and is now dating a friend faces disapproval from his late wife's family, who see his new relationship as disrespectful. Experts suggest that grief and emotional vulnerability may influence their reactions, and advise patience and understanding. Additionally, concerns about a brother with possible dementia highlight the importance of medical evaluation and family communication.
A widower's partner, who has a disability, was banned from a family party after making a comment about anti-vaxxers. The widower is unsure whether to address the banishment with his daughter or let it go to maintain peace with the in-laws. Advice columnist suggests seeking clarity from the daughter about the situation and emphasizes the importance of open communication and kindness toward the partner.
A mother seeks advice on her husband's plan to take their kids on a two-month road trip, a woman struggles with her in-laws who moved nearby and her mother-in-law's constant lying, a new mom is frustrated with her critical and unhelpful mother, and a woman deals with her difficult mother-in-law who constantly complains about her.
A woman seeks advice from Dear Prudence on how to handle her in-laws' passive-aggressive comments about her children and husband. The in-laws make gendered remarks implying disappointment in their son and use the grandchildren to express these sentiments. Prudence advises setting clear boundaries and directly addressing the inappropriate comments. Additionally, Prudence responds to another person struggling with feelings for an ex who is now married, suggesting they move on and create a life without him. Lastly, Prudence advises someone on how to manage care for estranged, aging parents, recommending support without compromising one's own well-being.
Harvard-trained etiquette expert Sara Jane Ho advises responding to rude in-laws by agreeing and playing along with their comments while maintaining a smile. She suggests letting your partner handle reprimanding their parents and taking care of your own parents. If it doesn't make sense to agree, remaining silent can be effective. The key is not letting their comments sour your mood and showing that they don't have power over you.
A bride took to Reddit to share her frustration after her in-laws invited 10 extra guests to her wedding without her knowledge or approval. The bride explained that the extra guests were not relatives but friends of her in-laws, and their presence caused seating and food issues during the reception. When confronted by her in-laws, the bride firmly stated that it was their responsibility to inform the couple and handle the situation. Many commenters defended the bride, criticizing the in-laws for their entitled behavior and the uninvited guests for attending without a formal invitation.
A couple with demanding jobs and two young children are criticized by their in-laws for having a messy house. The in-laws not only expressed concern about the state of the house but also suggested the couple may have a hoarding issue and attacked their parenting. The couple feels hurt and violated by the boundary violation and seeks advice on how to address the issue. Suggestions include the husband standing up for his spouse, setting boundaries with the in-laws, and seeking an honest opinion from a trusted friend about the state of the house.
Former MLB pitcher Danny Serafini has been arrested, along with another suspect, in connection with the 2021 killing of his 70-year-old father-in-law and the attempted murder of his 68-year-old mother-in-law in Lake Tahoe, California. The suspects were taken into custody in Nevada and are expected to be extradited back to California. The relationship between Serafini and the other suspect remains unclear. The investigation was aided by surveillance footage from the home, which showed a hooded male approaching the residence prior to the shooting.
A mother is upset that her son and daughter-in-law invited her daughter-in-law's parents to stay at their family cabin, feeling uncomfortable with strangers in the house. In response, the son and daughter-in-law decide to skip the visit altogether and go to the wife's family instead. The columnist advises the mother to apologize and welcome the daughter-in-law's parents, as her reaction has deeply insulted her son's extended family. In another question, a mother expresses hurt over not receiving gifts or cards on special occasions from her adult children, while she faithfully acknowledges their birthdays and partners. The columnist suggests having a conversation with her children about their different perspectives on gift-giving and valuing the phone calls they do make.
A pregnant woman is feeling pressured by her in-laws to have them visit immediately after the birth of her first child, while she wants her own mother to be with her. She is concerned about her and the baby's health and wants to set boundaries. The columnist advises her to prioritize her own needs and set a flag date for the in-laws to visit, while her husband handles communication with his family.
