It can be quite a challenge marrying into a new family. Here are 6 tips to help ease the transition:
1. Get to know the family first. Before you marry someone, get to know their whole family. Living in different states or time zones shouldnโt stop you from meeting and getting to know them. When you get married, youโre marrying the whole family. Itโs important to be familiar with them to avoid any surprises in the future.
2. Pre-marital counseling. Nothing destroys a marriage more than when two people are not a united front. Six to nine months of pre-marital counseling will help you discuss with your fiancรฉ how you will handle difficult situations once youโre married, not only regarding in-laws, but as a whole.
3. Immediately communicate problems. Problems and misunderstandings will happen, even with the best-laid plans. Be sure to communicate these directly with the family member youโre having the issue with. Many times these issues are a result of a misunderstanding and are not intended to be malicious.
4. Be flexible. All families do things in different ways. Itโs important to remember this and go with the flow when you encounter family traditions and concepts that are different from your own.
5. Take a breath. Sometimes people let things slip that can be hurtful. Itโs easy to let words or actions upset you, so itโs important to take a deep breath and move forward.
6. Be respectful. Your in-laws donโt have to love you, and you donโt have to love them. Regardless of that, they are now part of your family. Itโs important to treat them (and for them to treat you) with respect and be polite.