Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

How much effort do you make with in-laws?

108 replies

giraffes2021 · 03/01/2024 18:41

Just out of interest here wondering from a female perspective how much effort do you make with your DP family?
Is it you that would reach out to arrange to see them so they could see DGC ? Or same with their sisters and brothers?
Or do you leave it all to DP?

OP posts:
KombuchaKalling · 04/01/2024 12:51

Not a massive amount of organising e.g. cards, presents, arranging meet-ups. But make an effort in their company. I don’t do wife work and have my work cut out keeping my family in check a lot of the time!

MumHereAgain2023 · 05/01/2024 10:55

None and it's brilliant. Karma comes to bite you

VANCOUVERBCBABY · 12/06/2025 15:19

I feel you. It's their loss. I can relate.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

MammaTo · 12/06/2025 17:25

Mine live 10 mins away and are an enormous help to us. Nothing is too much trouble for them, therefore I make a massive effort with them. Especially my MIL, she’s an angel so I try to include her as much as I can.

FestiveDiscoBall · 12/06/2025 17:36

I make an effort with them in the same way my OH makes an effort with mine. But by effort I mean engage with them or maybe go to things with his sister we both like. I view it as they are his family and mean a lot to him, and therefore I care.

There are plenty of differences but not in a dramatic way, granted I won't want to long stints in under each others feet. Not sure how it would be if we actively clashed though, thankfully not something we have had to worry about.

What I don't do is any of the family birthday/christmas stuff or organising family gatherings. In the same way he doesn't get involved with mine like that.

Runningismyhappyplace50 · 12/06/2025 17:48

I used to but now don't make any effort and haven't seen them for 18 months. If we got on I would but they don't make any effort either and never have.

Twinhearts · 12/06/2025 18:00

None. I have never been close with my in-laws and they don't live nearby either. When it comes to making plans, I have my own family to deal with and don't think I should have to assume responsibility for his when he is a grown adult and fully capable to arrange things with his parents or siblings if he so wishes. I doubt he's ever bothered to send his mother the annual Christmas card and I have made the choice not to take that matter into my hands. I'm not my husband's personal assistant.

My mother used to be the one to buy her MIL a birthday card from his son and remind my father to call his parents on certain holidays. I have chosen to let my husband have the relationship with his family that he wants and is comfortable with and to not insert myself.

Katieweasel · 12/06/2025 19:29

I have never been able to warm to my ILs. They are a cold and miserable couple. But they adore my DS even if they show it in a strange way and he loves them. So for his benefit I always made a big effort. Since DS left home I’ve taken a massive step back. DH sees them every week on his way home from work. I now see them twice a year at the most. I’ve no desire to spend any time with them.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page