The following are Web Site links and descriptions of resources that are dealing with parents and in laws. They work on the principle of cleaving together as husband and wife and building a new family with your spouse.

advice tips resources Photoclub

• Lesandleslie.com: This is the web site for Dr Les and Dr Leslie Parrott who are a husband-and-wife team. They not only share the same name, but the same passion for helping others build healthy relationships. The Parrott’s founded the Center for Relationship Development on the campus of Seattle Pacific University. Their web site has free videos tips on demand that you can view giving relationship advice on many different relationship subjects. This includes “In Laws.” We highly advise that you visit their web site to see what they can offer you.

RESOURCE DESCRIPTIONS:

• Boundaries in Marriage, written by Dr Henry Cloud and Dr John Townsend, published by Zondervan. This book helps you to deal with the struggle of differing needs. As Cloud and Townsend say, “in the process of knitting two souls together, it’s easy to tear the fabric.” That’s why boundaries —the ways we define and maintain our sense of individuality and integrity are so important. In this book you’ll learn how to deal with serious violations and betrayals and develop a haven of mutual love, care, appreciation and growth.

Plus:

• Daughter-In-Law’s Survival Guide: Everything you need to know about relating to your mother-in-law -written by Eden Unger Bowditch, published by New Harbinger Publications. This is not a “Christian” book, however, from the reviews we’ve read, it appears to give sound advice. “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.”

• Emotional Incest Syndrome: What to do When a Parent’s Love Rules Your Life This book is written by Dr Pat Love, and is published by Bantam Books. Even though this is not a “Christian” book, it’s a very sound and helpful one. The author Pat Love “identifies, explores and treats the harmful effects that emotionally and psychologically invasive parents have on their children, and provides a program for overcoming the chronic problems that can result.” This book explains how a person “may have been a ‘chosen child,’ seemingly the focus of loving devoted parents, but in reality a child walking psychological tightrope —learning early on to deny your own needs in order to meet the emotional needs of a parent. Here, Dr Love offers adults real hope —and help in overcoming the hurtful legacy of being the chosen child.”

Additionally:

Foolproofing Your Life: How to Deal Effectively with the Impossible People in Your Life This book is written by Jan Silvious, published by WaterBrook. It is a book to help you deal with difficult people. “In dealing with such people, we often try a number of coping strategies. Unfortunately, our best attempts at making peace often fail. This is because the difficult people in our lives are often what the Bible calls ‘fools.’ And dealing with fools requires a special kind of biblical wisdom. You’ve tried everything –from confrontation to passivity. You’ve found out what doesn’t work. Now discover what does. Gain the tools you need to get along with others. And conduct your relationships in a manner that honors God and preserves your sanity!

• Mothers-in-Law vs. Daughters-in-Law: Let There Be Peace This book is written by Elisabeth Graham, and is published by Beacon Hill Press. In this book, “author Elisabeth Graham examines the in-law conflict. She aims to draw readers into a different perspective. It is one that women will learn to recognize their in-laws as a beneficial relationship —a gift —to and for the entire family. With sound biblical wisdom and clever insights, Graham teaches women to find peace in all aspects of their relationships with their in-laws.”

Plus:

The Mother-in-Law Dance: Can Two Women Love the Same Man and Still Get Along? This book is written by Annie Chapman, and is published by Harvest House. It has so much to offer. I’ve (Cindy) always loved everything Annie has written. But this is one of her best. I’d highly recommend this book to everyone to read who either is a mother-in-law or has a mother-in-law. That is because it has something in it that everyone can learn from and be inspired. In this book Annie Chapman describes the often-delicate relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law as a dance. She very candidly discusses the twists and turns of this connection. And she provides practical advice to help you better relate with your mother- or daughter-in-law.

Drawing on years of experience, real-life input from other women through hundreds of conversations with women and specially designed questionnaires, and solid biblical insights that will encourage your own spiritual growth, Annie reveals potential missteps to watch out for, and practical ideas to help you create more positive interactions with your in-law to successfully: build a great relationship – deal with new traditions and activities – overcome hurts and conflicts – set realistic boundaries – handle generation-gap issues – accept (and reject) advice – and cope with differences in faith. We hope you’ll obtain a copy of this book for your own use and to give out to others as a gift.

Lastly:

•  The Mother-in-Law’s Manual: Proven Strategies for Creating and Maintaining Healthy Relationships with Married Children This book is written by Susan Abel Lieberman, and is published by Bright Sky Press. It is not a “Christian” book. However, it comes highly commended. And it appears to contain a lot of information that you can glean from. This is info to help you improve your relationship with your married “children.”

This resource outlines proven strategies for creating and maintaining healthy relationships with married children. Key tips include how to manage expectations from the outset, how to reduce conflict and increase contentment by realizing love does not have to be competitive, how to speak authentically without hurting feelings, how to effectively employ humor, and learning to realign focus on the happiness of the whole family. This insightful manual will help any mother-in-law find fulfillment while gracefully transitioning into this role.