Dear Christine,
MY SON is married to a very beautiful young woman; that is, she is beautiful on the outside, but inwardly, there are some questions I would love to have answered.
I am the mother of three children – two daughters and a son. I am also widowed. From time to time I have to call on my son, who is 35 years old, to do one or two things around the house for me. He has always been helpful and although he got married four years ago, he continues to lend assistance whenever he can.
Honestly, I try very hard not to call on him too often because his wife does not like the fact that at times I need to ask his assistance.
I have gathered that my daughter-in-law is insecure and believes she should have her husband for herself 24 hours of any given day.
I know there must be other mothers who have issues with their daughters-in-law too. Well, I am sort of a pessimistic old fool, so I can always see the positive in everything. I am not writing for advice. I would however, like to share my version of the “Ten Commandments for a Daughter-in-Law”: They are:
* Thou shalt love, honour and respect your mother-in-law and father-in-law. Were it not for them, you won’t be married to their son.
* Thou shalt not despise, belittle or in any way speak ill of them. Were it not for them, you won’t be married to their son.
* Thou shalt speak only kindly and loyally about them.
* Thou shalt not deny them access to their son, when it becomes necessary.
* Thou shalt not visit them too frequently and never enter their home without knocking.
* Thou shalt say “thank you” when they do something nice for you or their grandchildren.
* Thou shalt not give them advice unless requested.
* Thou shalt not deny them access to their grandchildren as a bargaining chip to get what you want.
* Thou shalt respect their taste in home decorating, though it differs from your own.
* Thou shalt petition the Heavenly Father, in whose love they abide, for their happiness.
Daughters-in-law should remember that they are providing their children with a blueprint for how they themselves should be treated one day.
I hope you can share this modified version with readers.
– K.L.P.
Dear K.L.P.,
I am sure some readers will find this rather amusing; maybe others won’t. In any case, thanks for sharing.
– CHRISTINE
