In-Laws, I just don't get it.

***to preface this, to my knowledge none of my in-laws are even aware that I blog so speak freely***

So while I am temporarily off the team roster, I get some time to think and write. My friend and sorority sister Kesler writes her "Confessions" which I just love.  Here is my first edition.

My first topic, in-laws. For the most part they suck. But why is that? Why are we pre-disposed to disliking our spouse's family? (for the record my Mom loved her mother in law). I keep waiting for the Today Show to do a story on this, psychiatrists included.

I think about some of my best friends. Take Jamie.... if she had been a guy and I married her, I would be in in-law heaven. Same goes with my friend Allison. Both her Mom and her Dad have "adopted" my family locally.  My kids refer to Jam's and Allie's parents by their grandparent names. We are included in all holiday functions and just feel so blessed to be so loved by them. I talk to Jamie's Mom on the phone, and she fills in as my mother-in-law. I email with a ton of my friends parents and they are all so hands-on and loving to our family.

But lets take a minute to reflect on all those "in-laws" that fit the in-law tone. You know that tone we all use when we say in-law. It is so cliche but why can't we all just get along? 

I love my father-in-law. He and I are NOTHING alike, but I have always known deep down he loves me and I know he knows I love him. I think we get on eachother's nerve's when we have to share a living space. I am a control freak and he is a bachelor but for the most part it is fine.

The mother in law is a different story. To be fair, I don't even know her story. We haven't had contact with her in the last 4 years and leading up to that separation it was very rocky. I used to wish I could just banish her to an island far, far away and never have to deal with her. I don't wish any ill-will towards her. I just think she has far greater problems then her problems with me.

Now in my own defense... I am not the only one who doesn't like their mother-in-law (don't worry gals, I'm not selling anyone out here).  What is it about the MIL that makes them so hard to deal with? Is it a power struggle? Do the MIL's have a hard time letting go of the decision-making and priority rank in their son's life? What is the problem, someone please tell me!!

When that day come that (gulp) and I become a MIL, I think I will really want my son's wife to embrace me and include me in her family dynamic. key being HER family dynamic. Here it is in writing.... hold me to it! 

Thoughts if anyone dares....