7 Vows Every Mother-in-Law Should Make During Wedding Season

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Ah, mothers-in-law. If you've got a good one, you should get on your knees and thank the powers above, because we all know how many of us have monsters-in-law.

Since it's wedding season, I've been thinking about how brides-to-be consider the impact that in-laws will make on their marriage. It can be pretty significant. It can also be the culprit behind many divorces. More importantly, I wonder if mothers-in-law ever consider how their role in the family factors into the equation. If they took vows the way a bride and groom do, maybe that new husband and wife would enjoy a happier marriage.

No one wants to alienate a caring mother-in-law from the family. A good relationship with your mother-in-law can be your saving grace and provide a beautiful lifelong friendship.

So I ask, had your mother-in-law taken the following vows and kept them, would your marriage be happier … and would you possibly be a little more sane right now?





Stock ImageVow #1: I promise to think…
About the words I choose before I say them. If I think for even one minute that they might be offensive, I will keep my mouth shut!

















Related: 20 things ALL women do but hate to admit







Stock ImageVow #2: I promise to recognize…
That my son, though once my baby boy, is now a fully grown man with a family. He's not just my son anymore.
















Stock ImageVow #3: I promise to remember…
That my daughter-in-law will (and should) always come first in his life now. (My mother-in-law had perfected this and I'm in awe of her for it.)



















Stock ImageVow #4: I promise not to criticize…
My daughter-in-law's cooking, cleaning, or clothing. First of all, I realize that my son has 50% responsibility in the cooking and cleaning areas. Besides, if my daughter-in-law is kind enough to make me a meal, I will revert back to Vow #1 yet again, and then I will say thank you.











Related: Women are desperate to get married...and 16 more myths men believe








Stock ImageVow #5: I promise to recall…
That I was also once a new bride with bright hopes and dreams who wanted to get along with her mother-in-law and have a peaceful family. Even if I never got that chance, I will do my best to make that a possibility for my daughter-in-law.

















Stock ImageVow #6: I promise to learn…
About technology and the ways young people communicate, and not berate them if they text instead of making a call, or send an email instead of always paying a visit. And I'll try to learn how text and email them back! (Just wait until I learn how to Skype!)


















Stock ImageVow #7s: I promise to consider…
The fact that we all make mistakes. Newly married couples and parents learn as they go along, as we all did. Just because they don't do things the way I did does not mean they are wrong. So go ahead and use a kiddie leash; I won't even bat my eyelashes! (At least not in front of you!)












- By Danielle Sullivan
Follow Danielle at Babble

For 3 more vows every mother-in-law should make during wedding season, visit Babble!

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