Staying With The In-Laws? We Put Together A Few Things To Break The Ice!

BY The WMG Bride | 19 Feb, 2016 | 1145 views | 5 min read

Whether in-laws are visiting or you're going to stay with them for the first time, chances are that you'll be pretty nervous about how to go about things. After all, how many of us actually knew our in-laws well before getting married- be it love or arranged? So that's why we've decided to help you cope up with that fear and give you a few tips and tricks on what to expect and how to ensure that it all goes on smoothly! And hey, let's not limit this to the brides - grooms need to ensure they break the ice with your parents as well you know? mehra-family-759

Start with the Siblings & Cousins

We get it, it's hard to bond with parents immediately, so work your way through by friending the sister, the brother and other people in the house. Go grab a coffee with them, ask them about their love life and you will have a friend in the house instantly who will also talk you up to the parents.

The Groom's Baby Photos = Sure Shot Conversation Starter

The one thing your in-laws and you have in common? The Groom! The minute you flip through old family photos, funny anecdotes and stories are bound to come out. Its a great way to break the ice and swap experiences about the man in your life.

Game Night is Ultimate

Whether you play Taboo, Scrabble or just simple Teen Patti, playing a fun game with the new family instantly makes you bond. If you really want to break the ice, then make sure you are not on your husband's team but on one of the in-laws team, they don't call them team building sports for nothing.

Wake up on time

We are all used to our beauty sleep on holidays, but make sure to wake up at a decent time when visiting in-laws for the first time. We don't mean 5 am, but try to be up and about 8ish, especially if they're one of those families that are particular about breakfast timings. And mothers-in-law these days are chilled out, in most likelihood after a few days she might ask you to wake up when you want to if there's nothing to do!

Be Curious

Whether you are the bride or the groom, be curious about the other's family. Ask them questions about what they like, learn about the family tree and make an effort to remember all the names of their aunts and uncles and maasis and maamas even though it may look very difficult at first.

Get friendly with the pet if they have any

This will score you major brownie points with the family. Should be easy if you're an animal lover, but if you aren't, then try not to scream or climb the bed every time the dog comes near you.

Be Yourself From Get-go

We know you want to make a good impression, but if you put on an act which starts to slip away 6 months later it is counter productive. So be yourself, wear the clothes you feel comfortable in (of course without offending anyone), balance work and home life the way you want to.

Go shopping with mom-in-law or sis-in-law

Cull out time for a shopping trip + lunch date with mom-in-law or sis-in-law because girls need their time-out. Find out their favourite restaurant and make a booking.

Introduce them to your favorite restaurant, a hidden gem of a store etc.

Don't forget that as much as you are adjusting to your new surroundings, they are adjusting to a new person in the house. Treat it like your own, and ask them if you can order in from a fantastic new place you want them to try . Or tell your mom about that amazing store you know that you want her to see.

Let them have alone time with their son, you have alone time with your parents

The easiest thing to do and the most impactful, find your own space and time to do things alone and let his parents have some alone time with him. The same way, go and spend time with your parents without him around. Both sides will appreciate it.

Find time to have date nights without interrupting family time!

This goes for both you and your husband. If they have family dinners Saturday nights and your family has Sunday Morning Brunches, then go ahead and work out a date night schedule on other days. It just shows that you are thoughtful enough to understand whats going on.

Grandparents will anyway love you instantly

It's just a thing with grandparents, they will fret and fawn over you and all you really need to do is sit next to them for a few minutes a day, even if they are doing their own thing, just the fact that you took out time to spend a few moments with them is good enough.

Offer to help out

Of course, you don't need to know how to cook like a pro, and we won't even tell you to learn if you don't want to, but offer to help out in some way- setting the table maybe?

Conflicts are bound to arise. That's normal

Remember how you fought with your mom? Well, chances are those conflicts are going to happen with in-laws as well. They are part and parcel of living with someone, just handle it in a polite manner and don't drag your groom into the middle.

All these small gestures will go a long way in increasing their fondness for you and becoming more comfortable around you. If you lay the groundwork correctly, then soon it might become like the carefree relationship you have with your own parents... but yes, the first impression does matter a lot!