My parents-in-law were great people and so are my sons-in-law and my daughter-in-law. Lets hear it for the silent majority.

My in-laws were lovely, so are my husband's siblings and their families. Now our children are married, they both have lovely spouses and in-laws. We had a wonderful Christmas last year at our daughter's with her parents-in-law, her husband's sisters and their families and our son and his family. Just an enjoyable day with no arguments and the children got on well together. A couple of days later we had a great afternoon with my husband's siblings. When I read about the terrible things that happen in other families I feel so sad for them. I am so thankful for our family. They are a real blessing.

Neither my parents or in-laws are with us any longer but we all had a good relationship. My parents adored DHfrom the first day they met him which was after our second date. We would go back to my house and if the last bus had gone my dad would drive DH home to save him a 30 min walk. I got on well with his family. Our parents met (after we had been together a few months) and became friends going out socially together. After my Mum and his Dad had died my Dad and his Mum used to go on days out together every couple of months to National Trust sites and lunch. I think we were very lucky.

I never knew my FIL but I suspect we would have butted heads on occasions. However, my MIL was the loveliest person and I am blessed with several good DILs and SILs although I'm not sure they would necessarily have always been the ones I would have chosen for my children. Still, as my children seem happy, so am I.

My 3 children have delightful partners; DD been with hers for 16 years and they have 2 lovely boys, DS1 and his 10 years with a gorgeous boy & girl. DS2 has a lovely girlfriend and I think he might actually get married at some stage - don't think the older two ever will. Already looking forward to Christmas dinner when we are all sat round our table, plenty of food and wine, love and laughter - my first husband (Dad of DD and DS1) even joins us. I know that I'm truly blessed and never take what I have for granted

I am very thankful my precious daughter married a good man and I have a warm and caring SiL. I also get on well with my in laws and have never had a cross word with them. For many years we invited them on holiday with us and enjoyed their company. They have been excellent grandparents and again I am very grateful to them. I sometimes hear stories of in laws who are mean and spiteful and I feel so lucky with mine. My 2 sons are not married yet but I am sure I shall get on well with their parners' when and if they marry.

Eglantine21
Did you not see the However?

This is a bit like saying why aren' t the newspapers filled with good news. People who are having problems post on here, not what I am sure is the vast majority of gransnetters who aren't.

For the record I have one fab dil, one who is not so fab and a medium satisfatory sil.

The title of the topic is "Relationships" not "Relationships on the rocks". Relationships come in all varieties, not just bad ones.
This thread was started so as to demonstrate that there are good ones too. Adding these posts onto a thread about MiLs from hell would not have been tactful, so it is a separate conversation.

We lived next door to my in laws and my husbands aunt ( his mothers sister) We all had a fantastic life with the extended family. I couldn't have had more support and help from three wonderful people.

I agree, it is great to hear about the good guys in a family: all my children have fabulous partners, wives etc and we get on very well . One DinL and I go on Spa days together and another "rescued" my son (not her hubbie) when he was mentally ill. Even got on well with my Hubbies parents......sadly passed away now....and my sis and family is brilliant too! Always feel so sad when I read of others who have problems!

3 DC and 3 in law children are lovely.

Thankyou Elegran for starting this thread. My parents-in-law were the best and my daughter-in-law ditto. I’m so, so grateful for them. My ex-sil was/is a nightmare but am hoping for better things from DD’s new partner!

I always got on well with my PIL, sometimes better than with my own parents! When I had DD1 my Mum felt able to openly criticise me over issues like disposable nappies and dummies, whereas my MIL respected my views. Also my MIL lived closer and offered to clean for me (we paid her) when I went back to work, even doing my ironing unasked. As for my 2 SILs, well they are both lovely and as long as they make my DDs happy that's all I ask.

My SIL is the best thing that happened to our family in a long time... and of course the grandchildren that followed. We have ‘got on’ from day one! He’s also the best father any two kids could have...they absolutely adore him . But my daughter and he are now ‘separated’ ...while living in same house as finances are dictating! But they’ve managed to keep a balanced environment for the kids. I will always regard him as a second son ...as I promised his dying mother on the day of their wedding. He said whatever happens in the future between him and my daughter he will always regard me as a second mum and I believe him. I regard him highly . I hope others can say the same in there bad times.

I got on well with my MiL and we still kept in touch after my divorce, carrying on buying birthday and Christmas presents for each other up to her death. I also get on well with both my SiLs. I took my one SiL to see Rick Wakeman for his birthday present. That was a nice 'date night'.

Another one coming to sing of marvellous family relationships. I had a wonderful relationship with my in-laws. I sometimes found it easier to talk things through with my MiL than with my DM. My parents equally took DH to their hearts and he got on so well with them.

My DiL is wonderful, I cannot believe that such a nice woman should want to marry my DS, much as I love him. They are excellent parents. In fact in our case DDil's family and ours have become one and act and talk as one. When DDiL's mother celebrated her 80th birthday, DH, DD and I all went up for the celebration and she said, she was so glad we had made the journey (of 200 miles) because it was so nice to have all the family together.

We have one SiL and get on very well. He has much in common with my OH- music, films - and we are lucky enough to have a really good relationship with his parents. We have all spent Christmas together for the past 10 years and have a great time.

My Mum in law was lovely, I didn't really get to know my father in law as he died a year after I got married.

For varying reasons I have never had a MIL/FIL even though I am on my second marriage. However I do have two wonderful DIL's. My son's have been blessed, and so have I. However I am never complacent, I realise that relationships require nurturing, even those of long standing.

Elegran this thread is like a breath of fresh air what a good idea, I don’t come on here much but have to say we only seem to be the minority because we don’t go on about the family we have seems a bit self indulgent. I have to say I have an amazing daughter and son in law, a wonderful son and daughter in law and I love them all equally, and my mil long gone now was a complete lady and my inspiration thanks so much for this happy thread

No complaints here. I'm very lucky, I know, and I hope they think they're lucky to have me, as well.

Elegran, Lovely thread, my sils are all kind pleasant men.

It is a lovely thread. I had lovely parents- in -law and couldn't have nicer daughters-in-law.

Another B**** post I have managed to erase.

My family was very small and OH had big families on both sides. 5 and 6 children in the two families.
MIL and my sister in law were/are lovely. The rest of this big family was so welcoming when I joined the family. I never felt out of place at all.
Very few aunties/uncles left now though.

Got it right at last.