The Bluebird of Happiness

I was listening to the “Twelve Pains of Christmas” song this morning on my way to church. the sixth pain is “Facing my in-laws.” It left me pondering exactly how many people are anxious about spending time with in-laws?

Maybe I’m just blessed; my husband and I don’t have any hang-ups about one another’s parents. In fact, my family and his family have gone to bars or dinner together. We all get along fairly well.

But what about those wives and husbands with “wicked in-laws?”

A quick Internet search reveals several options to help you cope with your extended-by-marriage family this holiday season (I’ve including some of the best advice).

- Dr. Gail Saltz recommends six tips for dealing with in-laws, including setting a time-limit for your visit. “It’s better to end up wanting more time than to feel like you want to throw your guests out, or vice versa,” Saltz said.

- Numerous sites suggest establishing family traditions within your family unit. If you want to spend every Christmas Eve with your spouse and children, do it! It’s important to develop your own familial identity, even if it disappoints your in-laws.

If you’d like to read more on this topic, HundredsofHeads.com has a book called “How to Survive your In-Laws.” The authors interviewed hundreds of couples for advice on coping with family. Some of the ideas were pretty cute.