An elegant, wry, and superbly nuanced story about a woman with three sons—and three daughters in law—who must come to terms with the new configuration of her family. As Anthony and Rachel Brinkley welcome their third daughter-in-law to the family, they don’t quite realize the profound shift that is about to take place. For different reasons, the Brinkleys’ two previous daughters-in-law hadn’t been able to resist Rachel’s maternal control and Anthony’s gentle charm and had settled into their husbands’ family without rocking the boat. But Charlotte—very young, very beautiful, and spoiled—has no intention of falling into step with the Brinkleys and wants to establish her own household. Soon Rachel’s sons begin to think of their own houses as home and of their mother’s house as simply the place where their parents live—a necessary and inevitable shift of loyalties that threatens Rachel’s sense of herself, breaks Anthony’s heart, and causes unexpected consequences in all the marriages. Then a crisis brings these changes to the surface, and everyone has to learn what family love means all over again.

This hands-on manual makes it possible to reclaim the husband-wife relationship while surviving--and even improving--the frequently tumultuous relationship with a mother-in-law.

"In-law relationships are multi-generational, multi-layered, and, like a kaleidoscope, a shifting amalgam of emotional colors. They are exceptionally important and, often, extremely complicated. They can be joyous and comforting and they can be disappointing and tension-filled. They can serve as a model for how to stay connected across generations for the well-being of grandparents, parents, and grandchildren, and as a bellwether for what to avoid. In this book, the authors describe the struggles as well as the triumphs that people encounter with their in-laws from the perspectives of both generations and suggest ways to improve the relationships"--

We all know - have perhaps told a few - stories about mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. It seems the stories are nearly always about relationships filled with conflict and abrasive words or actions. But why is this relationship so difficult? And is it always as bad as popular belief would have us think? Deborah Merrill, a woman's advocate and Sociology professor at one of our nation's top universities, has been studying the relationship for nearly a decade and, in this book, explains where the difficulty is rooted, how friendly pairs have made it past problems that surface between a man's mother and his wife, and how they became friends. Dozens of interviews with pairs of women made in-laws by marriage illustrate Merrill's points, from harmful ideas and actions to helpful approaches. At its core, this book holds that marriage requires the creation of a new and separate family, which requires changes in roles, as well as a redefinition of relationships. Hence, family boundaries need to be made permeable to allow for integration of the daughter-in-law, and to allow the son to create his own separate and autonomous family. Family members need to be aware of, and prepare for, this, says Merrill. That, of course, may be easier said than done. But dozens of women who have become friends with their in-laws — some so much so that they drop the in-law and just call each other mother and daughter — explain how they got past the old, popular notions and social structure, to create goodwill and grow stronger families.

It's one of the oldest triangles: mother-in-law, daughter-in-law and the son/husband trapped in between. Now, Susan Barash gives readers the tools to better understand the insecurities, generational jealousies and power struggles that are inherent in these relationships. Combining candid accounts from real mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law with sound advice from noted psychologists and counselors, Barash gives insight into this complex dynamic and shows readers how to create mutually independent and rewarding relationships that allow mothers-in-law, daughters-in-law and sons/husbands to grow.

Same great book with a whole new look! RELUCTANTLY RELATED: SECRETS TO GETTING ALONG WITH YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW OR DAUGHTER-IN-LAW is the definitive work on the all too common family dilemma of stressful relationships between mothers-in-law (MILs) and daughters-in law (DILs). Leading in-law relationship authority Dr. Deanna Brann delivers an insightful, stimulating guide for determining the root causes of mother-in-law/daughter-in-law difficulties and more importantly, provides the situation-specific, practical tools to change things for the better. While dealing with this often difficult or even painful subject, RELUCTANTLY RELATED is engaging and wonderfully readable with its extensive use of real world conversation examples and lighthearted cartoons. Dr. Brann introduces you to her witty collection of mother-in-law, daughter-in-law and husband/son personality types - from Off-the Wall Wanda to Doubting Donna to Struggling Steven - and goes on to show you how to identify the types in your own family. She then explains in everyday language how combinations of these personality types present relationship challenges, but goes on to give practical, hands-on tools for mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law to improve their relationship. There has never been such an entertaining yet helpful resource on the specific problems between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. Revised and updated to include a new look and additional cartoons this third edition of RELUCTANTLY RELATED provides unique, straightforward help to any MIL/DIL challenged family, and should be required reading for newlyweds and their mothers!

Generally speaking, if there's trouble with in-laws in a family, blame is quickly assigned to the father- or mother-in-law. But they are not always to blame. Many fathers- and mothers-in-law are wonderful folks, beloved parents, good communicators, and fun-loving people. When their son or daughter ends up married to a person with immature attitudes, an abusive personality, or excessive emotional baggage, these parents are now stuck with a son- or daughter-in-law who makes their lives a living hell. What was once a loving family now finds itself turned upside down by a toxic, self-centered individual. Toxic Sons- and Daughters-in-Law helps expose the harmful attitudes and actions of a difficult son- or daughter-in-law and calls for biblical repentance and change. Untangling the destructive and dysfunctional nature of their abusive behavior will help parents manage the painful process of rejection, manipulation and anger.

I know this is a curious title, and people who have never experienced the rejection of a son at his wife's behest won't understand it. But those who have been through this experience--whose sons have married and turned against them as if they were dirt after all the years of love and care the parents gave them-will rejoice at finding this book and knowing they aren't alone. Actually, the desertion of parents by married sons is not uncommon. Would that it were! Almost every psychologist or counselor with whom I have talked knows of several instances in which it has happened. They speak of the great sorrow and agitation of the parents, mother and father alike, who can't understand why a child has turned against them. ANNE KATHRYN KILLINGER has been a concert pianist, a college professor, a Parisian model, and the wife of a widely known clergyman. She has lived in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Birmingham, Paris, and Oxford, and now resides near Washington, DC. She is also the author of An Inner Journey to Christmas and An Inner Journey to Easter, as well as the novels, Pendleton Farm and Rachel Remembers.

A young woman confronts a lifechanging diagnosis in a “rich, memorable . . . lyrical and highly emotional . . . tearjerker.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) Vivi Shager is living her dream. Raised with drive and ambition by a resolutely single mother, Vivi has a thriving law career, a gorgeous apartment in London, and a full calendar that keeps her busy at work and at play. Then on the day of her twenty-seventh birthday, an undiagnosed heart condition sends Vivi’s prospects for the future into a tailspin. After escaping her roots nearly a decade ago, she’s forced to return to her childhood home to be cared for by her devoted and enigmatic mother. Vivi has always known the woman is hiding something and now she’s determined to find out what it is. Though her condition makes her fragile and vulnerable and she’s afraid of what may happen, her spirit remains strong. Then comes an unexpected ray of light. Josh Raynor, a local veterinarian who his sisters claim is too handsome for his own good, brings a forbidden love to Vivi’s world. Josh and Vivi are soon inseparable, unaware of the past their families share. All Vivi knows is that Josh is wrestling with a demon of his own . . . Then quite suddenly the awful truth is staring Vivi in the face and it changes everything. ”Susan Lewis has a gift for telling warm family stories that also take you by surprise.” —Jane Corry, author of My Husband’s Wife “This page-turner challenges readers to evaluate their own lives and choices, and what really matters most.” —Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author of A Family of Strangers