Protecting Your Marriage from Toxic In-Laws

 Posted on May 03, 2014 in Children

With summer drawing closer, many families are considering taking vacations to see their in-laws. While this would ideally be a happy, carefree time for families, unfortunately these visits are often the source of conflict as parents feel pulled in different directions. In fact, toxic relationships with the in-laws may lead to divorce in some cases.

According to The Washington Times, spouses across the country have tough relationships with their in-laws. In some cases, in-laws may use guilt and manipulation in order to coerce their children into following their wishes when it comes to visitation time with grandchildren. This can leave couples scrambling as they try to divide time equally between sets of grandparents. Unfortunately, all of this pushing and pulling can cause marital troubles if not handled correctly. It is important to discuss vacations and visitation schedules with your spouse in order to determine what will suit you best as both a family and a couple. In cases where your spouse may want to make one decision, while your parents or in-laws are pushing for a different choice, it is important to put the needs and wishes of your spouse first if you want your marriage to stay healthy. It may be helpful to come up with compromises ahead of time. You might consider rotating holidays between sets of grandparents, for example, or consider hosting your in-laws for a visit instead of traveling. Setting boundaries for visits may also help things go more smoothly. Unfortunately, sometimes the conflict caused by toxic in-laws can become too much for a couple to overcome. If you are considering filing for divorce in Illinois, it is important that you have an attorney to help you through the process. Contact the experienced professionals at A. Traub & Associates today for a consultation on your case. They look forward to helping you ensure your divorce moves as smoothly as possible.