What's the best way to stand up to my mother about Christmas and to handle her jealousy about our better relationship with my partner's parents? She's determined to make the holiday season into a zero sum game with my partner's mother [more inside]
posted by Flitcraft on Nov 22, 2009 - 42 answers

We are recently separated (with lots of drama), and our families and friends don't know. How do I deal with my brother in law asking to stay with “us” for a while, since he suddenly got a job in our town? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 2, 2009 - 45 answers

How to handle the very annoying sister-in-law part of my toxic, dysfunctional family? [more inside]
posted by ohdeanna on Jul 12, 2007 - 23 answers

I’m a Brit living in the US and my husband is a New Yorker. I really suffer in the presence of my in-laws and don’t know whether this is just a cultural difference and I need to be more understanding and less uptight or if they really are insufferable and I need to draw a line. Below are the main issues. (Long sorry!) [more inside]
posted by anapurna on May 11, 2006 - 61 answers

Evil In-Laws Filter. Alternatively, do I need to learn to take the high road? My pseudo in-laws insist on maintaining a relationship with my boyfriend's ex-wife. This irks me to no end and I am exhausted from trying to ingratiate myself to them. Do I have to include them into my life? [more inside]
posted by Lola_G on Nov 22, 2005 - 43 answers

Dealing with parents: How to say 'no'? They want to make an extended visit beyond anything we find reasonable. More behind the door... [more inside]
posted by Goofyy on May 20, 2004 - 14 answers