Last Updated on February 14, 2024 by Lifevif Team and JC Franco
Most people would agree that while their in-laws are not the type of people they would seek to spend time with personally, having a good relationship with them is vitally important. There are a number of good reasons why partners must put their feelings aside and take the plunge into creating healthy relationships with the in-laws.
Naturally, you want to have a good relationship with the in-laws. You want to come home from work only to find them at your home with a smile and a sense of welcoming and warmth within you. If this isn’t the case, it doesn’t mean it’s too late to work on it.
Many wonder whether it is worth working on a relationship with the in-laws; the answer is yes. In the long run, you will truly benefit from it. Having a good relationship with the in-laws can really add value to your life. You might not know just how much you need them until you start spending more time with them.
These are 15 reasons why it’s important to have a good relationship with the in-laws.
1. It makes your partner feel more relaxed and at ease.
If you don’t get along with the in-laws, your partner will most likely experience a certain amount of stress and uncertainty. By developing a better relationship with the in-laws, you can provide your partner with much-needed security.
2. It means that you fit in with the family.
Nothing can be more detrimental to a relationship than when one partner feels as if they don’t fit in with the family. When you develop a good relationship with the in-laws, fitting in with the rest of the family will become easier.
3. Your relationship, along with its ups and downs, will be fully supported.
When you have a good relationship with the in-laws, it shoes mutual respect and understanding. They, of course, know that relationships have their ups and downs and will provide you with comforting support when you and your partner go through rough times.
4. Family gatherings and holidays will be a lot more comfortable.
If you don’t have a good relationship with the in-laws, family gatherings and events can feel like torture for you. You may feel a bit on the spot or left out. You could even feel lonely or unwanted at these gatherings. The best way to change that is by actively forming relationships with the in-laws. The more time you put into getting closer to them, the less alone and left out you will feel at family functions.
5. You always have a cheerleader when you need one.
If you have a decent relationship with your in-laws, they will support you even when your partner isn’t around to do so. When you need someone to have your back, stand up for you, or show up somewhere in support of you, your in-laws will be only too happy to do so – if you have a good relationship with them, of course.
6. In-laws will do most things for free for you.
When you have a good relationship with the in-laws, you will find that they are willing to help you out with tasks that otherwise would have cost you. If there’s a repair in the home that needs to be done or even a bit of babysitting now and then, they will be there and eager to assist.
7. You get to fully explore your partner’s past – haul out those old baby photos!
There are certain things (or snippets of information) in life that partners don’t make readily available to their other half. Some of these things include fat baby pictures, the awkward teen years’ pictures, and others. When you have a good relationship with the in-laws, chances are that they will feel close enough to you to haul these pictures out and let you give them a look over.
8. Babysitters are always available and willing.
Having a good relationship with the in-laws always means that there is a potential babysitter ready and waiting with open arms. While you might not need a babysitter, there will come times where you need one last minute and who better to step in and help than granny and grandpa themselves?!
9. You get to know your partner better by having an understanding of who and where they come from.
When developing a good relationship with the in-laws, you get an up-close and personal look at who brought your partner up and why they are the way they are. You may pick up on the cause or reason of deep-seated issues they have, just by observing the current situation that they have. Having this sort of insight can prove really valuable to a relationship.
10. You can get advice and a shoulder to cry on at a moment’s notice.
Going through a tough time with your partner? Because you have a good relationship with the in-laws, they can now be there for you too. You can expect for them to provide you with sound relationship advice, and your partner, on the other hand, might find themselves being put in their place.
11. You have access to relationship and life advice from older people that you actually respect.
If the in-laws are still together and seem to be enjoying a happy and stable relationship, there’s a lot that you can take from that. You can ask their secret to such relationship success and really draw some helpful and relatable advice from them.
12. You get a second set of parents who probably think you are awesome.
It can be very comforting to know that you have an extra set of parents who love and respect you as their child’s partner. If you aren’t too close to your own parents, getting close to your in-laws can help to fill an undoubted void in your life.
13. You get closer to and more comfortable with the family, which makes future events more enjoyable.
The more time you spend with your in-laws actively building a good relationship with them, the easier it will be to sit through future events and gatherings. If you know everyone and are comfortable with them, it makes the whole occasion a lot less stressful.
14. Your children get the opportunity to know their grandparents.
Most parents want their kids to have a relationship with their in-laws. This provides a well-balanced and rounded upbringing. If you develop a good relationship with the in-laws, you will be able to take the kids to spend time with them regularly without feeling uncomfortable yourself.
15. When something goes wrong, you have people to call who you know will help.
If you aren’t close to the in-laws, you may hesitate to call them when something goes wrong and you need help. On the other hand, if you have a close relationship with the in-laws, they will be readily available to assist you, and you’ll probably automatically call them.
Last Word
Developing a good relationship with the in-laws is seemingly important. Just by taking the time to bond and connect deeply, you can enjoy a wealth of benefits from the relationship. If you are in two minds about strengthening and deepening your relationship with the in-laws, first consider the pointers mentioned above before making a decision.
This article was co-authored by our team of in-house and freelance writers, and reviewed by our editors, who share their experiences and knowledge about the "Seven F's of Life".
JC Franco
JC Franco is a New York-based editor for Lifevif. He mainly focuses on content about faith, spirituality, personal growth, finance, and sports. He graduated from Mercyhurst University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business, majoring in Marketing. He is a certified tennis instructor who teaches in the New York City Metropolitan area. In terms of finance, he has passed the Level I exam of the CFA program.
