5 Signs Your Mother In Law Is Your Second Mom

From the dawn of time, the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has always been portrayed as venomous, dramatic, and horrible. We’re not exaggerating here – TV serials thrive on saas-bahu struggles, ranging from scolding the bahu for not adding enough salt in the dal to unadulterated abuse. So much so that when getting married, the very thought of the ‘other woman’ in your life may have struck plenty of fear in your heart! And we’re sure you must have received lots of advice on how to win over your MIL too!

* She treats you like her own child

You’re not merely a new addition to the family, you’re now your MIL’s new daughter! She treats you with the same love and respect she gives her other kids, chides you lovingly, and doesn’t treat you like an outsider. At the end of the day, she is still your mother-in-law, so there may be a bit of the distance brought around by that technicality. All the same, the love and affection she showers upon you makes up for any little disagreements and moments of awkwardness because of that negligible distance!

* She doesn’t compare you to her own daughter or anyone else, for that matter

You may not be perfect – technically, nobody is – but your mother-in-law understands that and doesn’t see that as a fault. She doesn’t annoyingly remark that her own daughter is a better homemaker than you are, or that your dress sense could be as good as the next-door neighbour’s. No, she accepts you for who you are – the woman who makes her son happy, the most wonderful mother to her grandchild; she sees you as the daughter she was lucky to gain! Similarly, you look past any insignificant flaws she may have and concentrate on all her strengths. After all, she’s the mother of the man you’ve married, so she’s sure to have been a queen if he’s treating you like a princess today!

* She supports your aspirations and ambitions

Whether you choose to continue your job, start your own business, or actually quit to become a full-time stay-at-home mom; whatever your wish is, your mother-in-law is on board with it. She understands that you have certain dreams and hopes about your own life, and doesn’t stand in the way of you achieving what you set out to do. Rather, she backs you up with much gusto and is the wind beneath your wings!

* She’s ever-ready to take care of your child

Not only is she readily available to take care of your child when you have to go to work or run an errand, but she’s also more than willing to do so! She loves spending time with her grandchild and doesn’t consider it a punishment to take care of your baby when you’re tied up with something. In fact, she prioritises it because she knows how important what you’re doing is to you, especially if you’re a working mom. However, you also understand that as much as she’s willing to do it, cutting into her time isn’t always right. You always check with her first if it’s convenient for her to babysit your child, rather than just informing her that you’ll be dropping the baby at her place in 15 minutes!

* She speaks of you with respect even when you’re not around

Treating someone with respect doesn’t mean showing to their face only; how you treat them when they’re not around counts too. If you hear from your husband or other relatives that your mother-in-law praises you for your career achievements or for making fabulous meals, that’s sure to make you glow, right? She refrains from speaking ill about you and doesn’t indulge in mindless gossip about how you’re always at fault for something or the other! The same goes for you as well – you speak of her with the same love and pride that you show in her presence.