https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:08:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-156466 Sat, 12 May 2012 06:56:48 +0000 mrs. bird 156466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have many, but I have one moment that made me think that maybe MIL would be on my side. </p> <p>ILs are from a very traditional male dominated culture (men eat first, we greet in order of gender &amp; title, women rarely participate in group conversations with men, etc). DH &amp; I were at their house to tell them we were moving in together (a no no to them, we are supposed to live with them) and FIL was getting heated. I went to say my piece and FIL started to yell over me, MIL put her hand on his and said quietly but firmly, 'let her speak'. I'm sure she caught hell for it later, but she stuck up for me &amp; it meant the world to me that she wanted me to be heard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-156435 Sat, 12 May 2012 05:23:58 +0000 mediagirl 156435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Got one! His mom sent me a Mother's Day card... I'm due in June so I guess carrying a baby makes you a mom already? :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152841 Wed, 09 May 2012 11:32:47 +0000 mrsjyw 152841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was def blessed in the in-law dept. While my MIL has her moments of being the mother of an only child, I think it's more her sadness over never having had a daughter that her intrusiveness has been over the line.</p> <p>Anyway, both my ILs (Dh is an only child) have been amazing. FIL (he's 70) and painted our entire house exterior for us last summer. He also helped us with our move and initial upkeep renovations when we moved into the house. ILs also watch our dogs whenever we go out of town. MIL gives, gives, and gives us everything from day to day groceries to gifts for every holiday.</p> <p>I can see why DH was so spoiled growing up! :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152779 Wed, 09 May 2012 09:57:21 +0000 mrs. wagon 152779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: hehe yeah, still one of my favorite mental images of her! I think I was staring at them the entire time going just like this: :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152777 Wed, 09 May 2012 09:56:18 +0000 Mrs. Blue 152777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. wagon: omg, that bath story made me laugh out loud in my office. The mental image of that is fantastic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152755 Wed, 09 May 2012 09:42:24 +0000 mrs. wagon 152755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is such a nice thread to read!!!</p> <p>I, of course, have issues with my in-laws, but in general they are all wonderful people with great big hearts and as many horror stories I might have, I do have good stories as well.</p> <p>My MIL is quite a character. She is so incredibly generous even when we know that she is being sacrificing of her own needs. She wanted to buy Wagon Jr. a "big" present for his first birthday, so we ordered his play kitchen from Amazon with a bunch of play food. When it arrived and we assembled it, she loved it but said "it's too small. Let's order a second one, in a different color, and attach them together!!" haha. We actually had to convince her that we did not need two of the same play kitchen. :) She also regularly gets me gifts for my birthday, mother's day, etc. She even asked my BIL's girlfriend to order a spa gift card online and have it sent to me because she didn't know how to do it. It was so incredibly sweet. And watching her take care of Wagon Jr. is soooo so so so touching. They're a lot alike so they mesh so well. One time she was helping me bathe him, and he was being fussy, so she straight up just hitched up her skirt and climbed into the tub with him. He was so shocked that he was silent for the entire rest of the bath as she scrubbed him down from head to toe! She was so soaked. Probably the most thorough bath he's ever had in his life. ;)</p> <p>I've known my BIL longer than I've actually known Wagon Sr.-- we went to college together and he was one year under me. He was the adorable little guy that everyone knew and loved. I've always wanted a little brother so I wanted to take him under my wing. I'd take him to church and then take him out to McDonald's afterwards, and he'd always be so shocked that I wanted to pay for his meal. He was so popular and well-liked, every time I'd walk through campus with him people would say hi to him by name, and he'd enthusiastically say "what's up bro???" then I'd ask "who was that?" and he'd say "oh, I'm not sure." Haha. He's just that kind of guy... everyone knows and loves him. He's had some crazy issues in his life but he's really put it together, and now he's in the Navy and doing SO incredibly well, and I couldn't be prouder of him. He always says Wagon Sr. got all the smarts and good stuff in the family, but to be honest, BIL is actually much brighter than Wagon Sr.</p> <p>I'm also going to include his girlfriend because they live together and have dogs, and I'm not sure if they will ever actually get married, but I kind of think of her as my SIL. They were best friends in college but never dated, and many many years after college ended up together. I was never really friends with her in college-- she was this cool LA girl and I was this dorky church girl-- but she is incredibly smart, kind, and sweet. I love that they are together because she's known him from the beginning and through so much, so I know they will last. She's so devoted to him and is following him around the country as he gets moved from base to base.</p> <p>Aww. This makes my in-laws seem so cool. And honestly, as people, they are! But as with any close family relationship, there's always drama. :)</p> <p>Oh... my FIL is not in our lives currently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152719 Wed, 09 May 2012 09:14:04 +0000 Alivoo01 152719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love my MIL!! She's so generous and kind. When she travels, she always brings me home a souvenir (can't always say the same for the hubby - ha!). This last time she went to Cambodia, she brought home 5 blue naturally mined gemstones and told me to make myself some pretty jewelry with it. She also always cooks me and the hubby's favorite foods when she knows we are going to visit her (she lives 1.5 hours away). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152473 Tue, 08 May 2012 20:58:07 +0000 skibobrown 152473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL and her step-kids have stocked my daughter's wardrobe. I've barely needed to buy any clothes yet b/c boxes of baby clothing are constantly arriving in the mail from them. While their taste doesn't exactly match up with mine, they have done a pretty good job of finding stuff that I am happy to dress my daughter in :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152472 Tue, 08 May 2012 20:52:32 +0000 Adira 152472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to add that to my list of books. Maybe I'll be able to read it WHILE sailing!!! I hope you're able to get some sailing in on your trip in June! It's so much fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152384 Tue, 08 May 2012 19:11:31 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 152384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My MIL is wonderful. She treats me like the daughter she never had. :) Currently she is building my husband and I a chopping block because I have always admired hers. My BILs are awesome as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152382 Tue, 08 May 2012 19:10:44 +0000 chopsuey 152382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My in-laws are AWESOME! Seriously could not have asked for more wonderful parents.<br /> They're super generous, non-intrusive, they come visit us 4x a year, pay for us to go visit them when they miss us, send random care packages. They're so so so loving and never have anything negative to say. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152372 Tue, 08 May 2012 18:55:54 +0000 cyneswith 152372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really have stories, but my MIL, GMILs, BILs and SILs are AWESOME. My younger BIL is a real sweetheart, though he's yet to figure out how to show it to people who don't share his interests. I want our daughter to turn out essentially like my younger SIL (she's so beautiful, kind, intelligent, courteous, and sweet.) My MIL's mom is what I want to be at that age - well-traveled (and having written several books about her travels), great cook, wonderful gardener, extremely intelligent and interesting. FIL's mom is the sweetest little old Alzheimersy lady I've met. </p> <p>FIL recently remarried a fairy-tale evil stepmother, aside from the whole him having a fortune to steal (though she did have him take MIL to court to reduce his child support payments, after SIL moved out. Instead, the court basically doubled his child support, since he hadn't updated his income with them.) He's nuts on his own, but ESM just eggs him on. At least he's lost interest in stalking MIL when she dates someone (he actually hired a PI to follow her around at one point.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152365 Tue, 08 May 2012 18:37:05 +0000 Jumpingjacks 152365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My in laws are awesome. They're interesting and interested in me, they are generous and supportive. I have the most terrific aunt and uncle in law too who I think are two of most amazing people I've ever met. Unfortunately for me, it's certain members (not all) in my family who are the wing-nut in laws that drive me and my DH crazy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152338 Tue, 08 May 2012 18:12:57 +0000 heffalump 152338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the most amazing thing my MIL has done for me is give me my ering. It was hers, she was wearing it, and she just gave it to DH to give to me. It originally was his great grandmas, and it meant so much to me that she wanted me to have it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152335 Tue, 08 May 2012 18:11:55 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 152335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mother in law is very generous and she expresses her love through gifts.<br /> without her, we would have basically nothing for our baby. She purchased us an amazing car seat, stroller, expensive diaper bag, and organic crib mattress. She also bought me a spa day just to relax. I am so grateful!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152274 Tue, 08 May 2012 17:21:11 +0000 MamaMoose 152274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really do love my in laws. Honestly the only complaint I hav about them is sometimes they try to be too involved in our lives. And that is just because they love us so much so how can I really fault them for that? My mother in law calls me all the time just to see how I'm doing and check up on me. And my husbands cousins are awesome! Whenever we go home doing a night out with my SIL and cousin's in law is one of the things I most look forward to! I love them all! And everyone is cranking out babies which makes family parties even more fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152245 Tue, 08 May 2012 16:56:06 +0000 Mrs. Blue 152245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: We're actually going in June as part of our vacation, and I'm REALLY hoping this will be on the agenda. Since you like sailing and the Caribbean, you MUST read An Embarassment of Mangoes immediately: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0767914279" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0767914279</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152214 Tue, 08 May 2012 16:39:51 +0000 Adira 152214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: I'm almost jealous of myself! Sailing is so much fun (although apparently I get sea-sick if I do it all day... good to know)! I keep hearing that Hubs grandfather is trying to sell the boat though and I'm going to cry when that day comes! I've only been on the boat twice and I want more!!!</p> <p>You need to visit your in-laws and before you go demand sailing a must for the trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152210 Tue, 08 May 2012 16:36:55 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 152210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jessiejo17: Thanks! It's been the most blissful, quietest two months of my life. Hopefully it stays this way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152209 Tue, 08 May 2012 16:35:35 +0000 LuLu Mom 152209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: You do have to do what is best for your sanity, hopefully this continues to work for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152206 Tue, 08 May 2012 16:35:04 +0000 Mrs. Blue 152206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: An in-law is an in-law, so sister-in-law counts!. And yes, you can also share mine as well. DH has a huge extended family, so there are plenty to go around!</p> <p>@Adira: Soo jealous of the sailing! My FIL's family are big sailers, but they live in FL and we live in Texas, so we miss out. His grandpa always says he'll teach me to sail, though!</p> <p>I'm loving all the stories, ladies! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152205 Tue, 08 May 2012 16:33:37 +0000 LuLu Mom 152205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: That stinks that you have difficult in-laws, I am very blessed, but I watched my mom struggle with her MIL my entire life so I know how difficult it can be to keep the peace. She still struggles to this day, my grandmother is one difficult woman to please! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152190 Tue, 08 May 2012 16:22:56 +0000 Adira 152190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Besides the fact that my in-laws tend to bug us about when we're going to have kids, I really did get pretty lucky!</p> <p>My MIL made and served all the food at our wedding! She used to cater and is an AMAZING chef! She made soooooo many delicious foods and everyone was really thrilled! Plus she did it as her wedding gift to us so it was free! Thank you MIL!</p> <p>I get along sooooo well with my FIL and SMIL. They are sooooo nice and really love me. SMIL and I can talk about almost anything! We just vibe really well and have a great relationship! I definitely feel very included in the family and really like spending time with them!</p> <p>FIL's parents own a big catamaran that is currently in the Caribbean. Two Christmas' ago, he invited all his children and grandchildren on this all-expenses paid trip to the Caribbean for Christmas! We spent the week around Christmas in Anguilla and went sailing almost every day! It was AMAZING and sooooooo generous!!!</p> <p>Then that April, FIL and SMIL were sailing the catamaran down to Guadaloupe to put it up for the winter and they invited Hubs and I! Hubs SISTER didn't even get invited! It was a week trip and AWESOME (besides the fact I got sea-sick...). So I definitely feel like I lucked out with the in-laws! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152161 Tue, 08 May 2012 16:01:09 +0000 lilteacherbee 152161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm absolutely in love with my in-laws. DH and I have been together since high school and since day one, they've been amazing. DH is an only child (his mom had a m/c at 12 weeks which she strongly believed was a girl), so I'm treated as their daughter.</p> <p>MIL and FIL are 2 of my biggest fans. They love me to death and I feel the same. MIL hang out all the time without DH (2 weeks ago we took a day trip to Myrtle Beach). I could go on and on because I've truly been blessed with some of the greatest in-laws. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152159 Tue, 08 May 2012 15:57:37 +0000 mediagirl 152159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: can I share your in-laws, as well? :) </p> <p>I can give you a good story about my sister-in-law (one of them) does that count? :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152150 Tue, 08 May 2012 15:52:52 +0000 Mrs. Blue 152150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: @Mrs. Jump Rope: I'm so sorry! I know from here and some of my friends' lives that it can be a treacherous path if your in-laws are awful. You ladies can share mine if you want! :) I'm always interested in why in-law relationships are the way they are. Maybe I'll also start a thread about the not good relationships and how/why they are bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152149 Tue, 08 May 2012 15:52:15 +0000 Shimmer 152149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What a nice thread! I don't exactly have a picture perfect relationship with the ILs, but I love my FIL! He's awesome. MIL is great too but she's still trying to let go of my 34 year old DH and struggling with that. BILs are hit or miss, though. </p> <p>Glad to hear some bees have great ILs! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152141 Tue, 08 May 2012 15:49:34 +0000 DillonLion 152141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aw I love this thread! Another bee here who struck in-law gold. DH's parents and brother are FANTASTIC. They've always accepted me and loved me as their own. </p> <p>One story off the top of my head: This past weekend, our air conditioning broke, and my in-laws drove in 4 hours from out of town to come fix it since my FIL owns an HVAC company. They were already here the previous weekend and are driving in 2 weeks from now again! </p> <p>In that same trip, they joined us for my BFFs birthday lunch with a huge crowd of people. And then at the end of the meal, my in-laws picked up the whole tab! </p> <p>They are so incredibly generous. I am lucky to have them in my life! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152135 Tue, 08 May 2012 15:47:19 +0000 oliviaoblivia 152135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: I like this thread!<br /> Wish I had a story to share, but my In-Laws have been difficult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/shining-a-favorable-light-on-in-laws-your-best-stories#post-152131 Tue, 08 May 2012 15:46:52 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 152131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm jealous of those who are on excellent terms with their ILs. I'm not on speaking terms with my MIL, and am *much* happier this way. This past Easter was our first enjoyable holiday together in over 5 years. </p>