Awesome Parents/In-Laws

dshannah · December 2015

I hope this isn't in poor taste given how horrifyingly awful some of us on this board have it with our families.

But I also wanted to make a space for some awesomeness, in part because it's nice to remember what sanity looks like and also because I want to shout from the rooftops how lucky I am to have the family I have.

The sweet things my mom did today:

1. She was making the family holiday card and called to ask me if it was okay to announce the baby. I'd already announced on FB, but she thought this would have a different audience and she knows how superstitious I am and she just wanted to make sure I was okay with it before she included it.

2. She scheduled a day in her planner during the holidays to take me big-city maternity clothes shopping, since where I live has next to nothing.

3. She (her own idea, totally voluntary, I didn't even think to ask) re-scheduled a doctor's appointment she had so that she can come with me and DH when we go house-hunting since neither of us know what we're doing, house-wise.

I know not everyone wants so much involvement from their moms, but I definitely do: she's my rock and a badass and I trust her on pretty much everything.

My MIL is pretty great, too. We live near her, and she's had six kids of her own and watched her own six siblings have their own sets of kids (seriously, DH's family is *huge*), but she is the least fussy and most encouraging MIL you could ask for. She always asks how I'm feeling, and whatever I say she reassures me it's totally normal, and she only volunteers advice when I ask (which I do all the damn time because she's like a baby-making pro). This is her first grandkid, and I know she's upset that my career is taking DH and I away from her in August (we're moving to the east coast for my job from where we are in the midwest), but she's never said anything negative--I can just see it in her eyes while she's telling us how happy she is that I'm moving up in my career.

Anyway, I feel so completely blessed and thankful, and I'm sure I'm not the only one with awesomeness to share!

doozer1345 · December 2015

My mom lives with us and helps with DD since DH and I have crazy work schedules. She has been awesome with helping me PT DD. It's been rough on everyone but I couldn't do it without her. Also, she vacuums and mops my floors regularly, I don't know the last time I finished laundry from start to finish bc she's taken over, she washes the dishes, and insists on DH and I sleeping in most days to catch up on sleep between shifts. We are very lucky.

My MIL can be infuriating but does some pretty awesome stuff too. More times than not her and FIL take DD on Fridays so DH and I can have a night off, every so often she takes us to Sam's Club and insists on picking up the bill, constantly buys DD clothes for each season, during the summer she takes DD to school so we don't have to get up early and take her (DH and I work nights into midnights), and this past summer his parents paid for all of us to go to Florida and stay on the beach. All this awesome stuff makes the other times where I want to pull my hair out not so bad.

thismakes4 · December 2015

My mom is awesome. She's seriously the only one who can calm me down when I hit my limit. DH will even ask me to call my mother if I'm beyond pissed because he can't deal with it. I love that woman.

swflJD · December 2015

My dad is amazing! He is the most loving, caring, selfless man I know. He always puts his family first, and I can always go to him for good, honest advice. He and DH are the two people I trust most in this world. He spent most of his retirement funds putting my sister and me through college, so I hope he lets us repay the favor when he eventually retires.

My mom is one of the most inconsiderate people I know, but she doesn't do it on purpose. She is just very scatter-brained, but I know she always has the best of intentions. She left a very good career to be a SAHM when I was a baby, and she always put my sister's and my interests before her own when we were growing up - whether it was taking us fun places, serving as PTA president, coaching our softball teams, etc. When she starts meddling, I have to remind DH that she really does mean well.

My FIL is awesome! He has done so much for DH and me both financially and otherwise, especially in the early years of our marriage when we needed it. He's my next go-to person if I need advice or have a problem DH or my dad can't solve. There's nothing he wouldn't do for DH or me, so it's nice to know he always has our back!

My MIL is equally awesome. She is very opinionated (as am I), but we get along surprisingly well. She always has good advice, but she doesn't usually offer it unless we ask for it. I feel bad for friends (and some of of the people on here) who have a "monster in law" because I genuinely love my MIL and enjoy spending time with her. This will be her first grandchild. My FIL has two children from his first marriage who each have children, and while my MIL has always treated his children and grandchildren like her own, I know that having our LO is going to be very special for her. She is so excited!

I feel so blessed to have DH's grandparents in our lives! I have never been very close to any of my grandparents, so I felt like I had grandparents for the first time after DH and I started dating. His paternal grandfather is the kindest, most amazing man. He was a preacher, and he married us. His paternal grandmother passed away in July, but she was the sweetest lady and the most amazing cook. DH's maternal grandfather passed away right before we started dating. He and DH were very close, and I really wish I could have met him. His maternal grandmother and I are extremely close. She has a condo in our town and spends about 5-6 months of the year here. She loves to shop and always insists on buying us things when she is in town . I used to feel guilty about it, but I realized that she gets so much joy out of being able to doing things for us, so we just let her now. I just adore her!

I have two sisters and DH has two sisters and a brother. Some of them are awesome, and some of them are bat $#!@ crazy. But, I'll save that for another post!

gamommyx3 · December 2015

My parents are awesome. They are so supportive in general and boundaries are never an issue. A few weeks ago a random box of newborn diapers and wipes arrived in the mail "just because." They also got us our crib and changing table. But it's way more than the material help...they just seem to always know what to do.

Also, and I have no idea how this sounds, but they don't always automatically take my side when I have a disagreement with my husband. If they think he's right or I'm being a jerk, they tell me. This is really important to me...he is not close at all with his family members, so I appreciate them (mom especially) sticking up for him when he's right rather than just taking my side because I'm their kid.

The list goes on. I'm super lucky.

kami09 · December 2015

I'm one of the lucky ones too. Both my parents and in-laws.

My mom came over every single day for a month when DS was born. She brought me lunch, groceries...anything. She would help with dishes, laundry, you name it. She's on the the most selfless people I know.

& we never have a shortage of babysitters. They claw at the chance to watch him so we can go out. It's amazing.

cortney626 · December 2015

DH and I both have pretty amazing families. My mom and I are really close. She can be obnoxious but she does a lot for us and we have fun together. My MIL isn't as close to my DH. His parents divorced when he was 15 and DH stayed with his dad. We see his mom once a month or so. She texts me more than DH. She will actually watch the baby 2 days/ week. She respects me and doesn't overstep any boundaries. She wanted to get a used infant car seat from her friend since she'll be babysitting. I told her I rather not have a used one from someone I didn't know. Plus we have an infant seat and you really only need one. (We'd buy an extra base for her car). She totally understood after I explained to her.

My DH's brother, wife and nephews are wonderful too! We all go on vacations together and get together often. My brother and I are close too. DH and my brother were friends first. My brother and my BIL get along great too. We're one big happy family.

wsgjmw1 · December 2015

No relationships are perfect but I am very lucky I have a good solid relationship with all my in laws. DH parents are divorced, and I have no real issues with either parent and their SO. I actually really enjoy spending time with my MIL, I know this is rare so I cherish it.

Now things always haven't been peachy with DH and my mom. But i am happy that they are in a good place now. Things were super rocky when we were dating, but since we have gotten married things have been much better due to DH trying very hard because my mom can be difficult to deal with at times.

I also feel VERY lucky that all the in laws can be in one room together without any drama. Of course its only if there is a good reason, like our wedding events and now the baby, but at least it can happen. I know this is also very rare, so I do not take it for granted.

jessiedee13 · December 2015

I have literally the BEST in laws anyone could ask for. We bought the house next to theirs. They do awesome stuff for us all the time.

For example:
We bought a split level. They have a ranch. When I had my first child, it ended with an emergency c section and I was doing ok, but given very strict orders to avoid as many stairs as possible. So they went to our house, got the bassinet and all the baby stuff they could find and literally let us take over their house for 6 weeks! Same with the 2nd baby and it'll be the same this time. They wouldn't have it any other way.

They also support us when we have any kind of hard time. I babysit during the week. First trimester was awful for me. Puking all the time. All I had to do was call and she was over in a heartbeat go watch the kids so I could puke in peace or just take a break.

They sent me flowers when my grandpa died. This is a big deal for me. I love flowers and I never get them. I was so touched they're still on my counter even though they're dead.

There's so much more than that too! They're just awesome people and deserve so much praise!

Merciel · December 2015

I love having a positive thread, thanks for starting this one.

My parents are great. They are very strange, but they're great. I was an absolutely terrible nightmare of a child and I will forever be amazed that they didn't quietly suffocate me with a pillow when I was 8. I would have suffocated me under a pillow when I was 8. I'd have deserved it, too.

My in-laws are wonderful, gracious, generous people and I'm so grateful to have them. My MIL is what I always think of as a "great lady": impeccable manners, perfect on etiquette without ever seeming stuffy or overbearing, just a joy to be around and someone whose social graces I would very much like to emulate. My FIL is awesome too: cultured, well-traveled, always thoughtful and insightful in discussion. I feel privileged to have them in our lives and I'm glad they live close enough to be a big part of futurebaby's childhood.

There's no drama anywhere in our family except what my sisters and I do to each other for fun. (There is definitely drama in the extended family, but they live on the other side of the country and we never see them, so... easily ignored!)

Jenly17 · December 2015

You guys are lucky. My FIL is the man, but that's it!

Back to the problematic parents thread...I don't belong here.

Edited to add: my tone is a joking tone

JennyS86 · December 2015

I hit the lottery with parents and in laws as well. My parents live far away, but DH and I have a great relationship with them. My in laws live 20min away, and in my opinion - the perfect distance. My MIL was my biggest support and cheerleader when our twins were in the nicu. She told me I was already a good mom and she always told me she was impressed with my dedication to pumping. She never had to say these things - it was enough just to have her there physically - but she did. I will forever be grateful.

My dad and FIL are like long-lost brothers. They plan golf outings together. I'm sure they will be vacationing together when my dad retires. I swear they tell their friends that they introduced DH and I, but really, they would never have met without us!

KyllieThomson · December 2015

I have ranted about my DH step-dad cause he is a cranky cermudgeon but the rest of my in-laws are fantastic.

I genuinely love both my MILs. DHs mom lives with us while she sorts out her retirement and works in town and shuttles back and forth to her home and her husband on weekends. She is so supportive and really the person I want to be my birth coach (if my mom wasn't an entitled crazy person). She is such a generous person! She purchased us a stroller, as well as found me a brand-new yet "second hand" $300 breast pump for $150 and offered to pay for it! Just because... Even though I told her I fully entended to pay for both myself! She wants to be very involved but still greatly respects our boundaries about opinions on baby related stuff.

My SMIL is equally fantastic. I call her any and every time there is something going on with me that I just can't deal and she will just sit and listen and be supportive. Never judgemental and always on my side... She is so great. I wish we lived closer to her!! She is so excited about all the babies in her life (my SIL is also pregnant!) and always messages me to ask how I am feeling and genuinely wants to know...

My FIL is also great but he is just a big kid and likes to make jokes and be the funny dad.

My mom... Crazy. Love her but overbearing and I already posted about HER vision of MY birth.

My dad on the other hand, is being so great. My mom invited herself to stay with us after baby is born. She asked my dad if he wanted to come with her and he said "No, it's ok. I will meet baby when they come in the summer. I want to let them bond and not be in the way" *hallelujah!!* this is why I love my dad. He actually recognized that I may not want people to be bugging me RIGHT after baby is born!! I love you daddy...

dshannah · December 2015

jessiedee13 said:

They sent me flowers when my grandpa died. This is a big deal for me. I love flowers and I never get them. I was so touched they're still on my counter even though they're dead.

If the dead flowers aren't dry yet, you can hang them upside down so they dry faster/straighter, and then keep them in a vase forever:)

If they are already dry, there's a whole bunch of crafty things you can do with them to commemorate the awesomeness. Like, making potpourri or dried flower art!

jessiedee13 · December 2015

dshannah said:

jessiedee13 said:

They sent me flowers when my grandpa died. This is a big deal for me. I love flowers and I never get them. I was so touched they're still on my counter even though they're dead.
If the dead flowers aren't dry yet, you can hang them upside down so they dry faster/straighter, and then keep them in a vase forever:)

If they are already dry, there's a whole bunch of crafty things you can do with them to commemorate the awesomeness. Like, making potpourri or dried flower art!

No they're brown and gross lol and starting to stink...I need to throw them out, but I just can't yet lol I used to be able to dry them out for potpourri...that's what I've always done in the past, but I can't figure it out anymore...the flowers just get gross! DH bought me roses for my bday that got moldy...I've decided it's something with the house lol maybe someday I'll figure it out again

dshannah · December 2015

Hang them upside down in a room with a fan? Maybe it's too humid this year:(

AdorkablePixie · December 2015

My mom is amazing. She is going through a lot right now and DH and I moved and live an hour and a half away from her now instead of half an hour, but she is still amazing. She's been my best friend since I was a little girl.

My MIL and SFIL are amazing. I am so blessed to have them in my life. I will go visit them while DH is at work, I'll go over to just spend time with my MIL. I just love them to pieces. They are very supportive of the both of us and very helpful. She's already offered to babysit for us in October because my best friend is getting married and I'm in the wedding. She wants us to be able to go and have a good time.

I feel so blessed to have such an amazing MIL because some people just don't get that lucky. My other best friend and her MIL are constantly butting heads and just do not get along. They never have. Honestly I feel like it's jealousy on the MILs part..

GoatSnakeMouse · December 2015

My parents are wonderful, which is kind of surprising to hear myself say because my mom and I didn't get along AT ALL until I turned 30 and then POOF now everything is great! I think she's just better at being a parent to an adult than a kid/teenager/20-something who was not all settled down like she was at that age. And my dad has always been awesome, which is incredible given that he came from a very abusive home and somehow knew how to be a great dad anyway. SNIFF... love them.

My in laws are great too - though they did get me possum fur gloves on a recent trip. Which is kind of gross. But it's the thought that counts!

jessiedee13 · December 2015

dshannah said:
Hang them upside down in a room with a fan? Maybe it's too humid this year:(

I think that's the problem. My house gets humid so easily! Maybe my next flowers should be kept in the basement...hm. now you have me thinking!

Pascal86 · December 2015

Nice thread, I'm also in the camp of people with very little to complain about in this area! When I told my parents I was pregnant, my mom said "Should I quit my job?" (she's been thinking about this for a while - it would actually be retiring, but thought it was really sweet that she instantly offered to quit to help out), and then, "I can't believe I didn't notice when you were feeling so terrible for the last couple of months!" She felt REALLY bad about this, when I was like a) I was trying to hide it, and b) my grandmother (her mom) died a couple weeks before I told her, and she had been needing constant care for a while... when would you have time to pay attention to me not feeling good when I was trying to hide it?

And on that note I want to call out my most amazing grandmother who passed. At her memorial we were all talking about how she paid so much attention to how everyone else felt, and noticed things that nobody else did. A few days before she died, I went to talk to her for the last time (was a huge blessing, since prior to that she had just been unconscious 24/7). I felt terrible from MS and super fatigued, but happy to go see her. I walk in the room, and she says, "You look terrible!" I wanted to tell her I was pregnant but she was getting kind of confused, and I didn't want to draw attention to myself so I just said, "Yeah, I just had a hard workout." She said, "I knew there was something wrong with you!" Granted, her tact kind of went out the window, but I couldn't believe that she was the only one to notice that something was off with me, and she was on her death bed. I like to think that she kind of knew somehow.

businessmama · December 2015

My parents definitely fall into this camp. They have been completely respectful of every decision I have made for the new baby, and really are my best friends. Every time I talk to my mother, she asks how I'm feeling, and if I even mention something is off, she offers to bring over food/medicine or take something off my hands. She has even talked to me about switching her schedule to help with the baby because she knows I do not want them in daycare more than necessary, but she does it in a way so it is still my decision.

My father is just as excited, but I love how his eyes light up when my mother talks about it. You can tell he knows she will be an amazing grandmother (he will be a wonderful grandparent as well), but I love how proud he is of her.

My husband really loves my parents so that makes things so much easier when I ask them to stop by to discuss things randomly. Every time we talk about going somewhere, he always includes my parents (i.e. We should take your parents to Universal Studios, We should take them to California, etc.). It makes me love him even more.

My MIL has been good - we've never been close, but she has made an effort to reach out and check on me, which I appreciate. She told my DH and I that the first grand child who is a girl, she will call "Lil Rosie" after her, regardless of the child's name... I told my husband he had to shut that down if that was the case

Just feel really blessed all around.

laurenmdrn16 · December 2015

No offense to all of you, but my mom is the greatest mom who ever lived (ok, I might be a *little* biased on this one, but I stand by my statement!). She is seriously the smartest, strongest, bravest, kindest, funniest, most amazing person in the entire world. I have no qualms being a "mama's girl" and freely admit that she is one of my best friends. We have always been super close, but since I became a mother, our relationship is a million times richer and more fulfilling for both of us. Growing up, my mom raised me and my two sisters all by herself. My father was/is a douche canoe so I chose to have no connection/relationship with him growing up. Just because of my personality, I assumed some of the parenting roles in the house. As a middle child, I am a natural peace-maker and always mediated my sisters' squabbles. I would cook dinner most nights when my mom was doing school work or on campus for her master's degree, and my mom would confide in me about dating and issues with her friends etc. I would also help her with her school work and ended up proof-reading her master's thesis while still in high school. I had no problem taking on this role and loved being there for my mom as she has always been there for me. It did make me grow up a little faster, but I think that has made me a better person in the long run. I literally never rebelled. My sisters would break curfew and I would be the one hunting them down and giving them the guilt trip because my mom would be too tired. I found out later that she has lived with major clinical depression ever since her mom died tragically and suddenly when my mom was only 20 years old.

When I announced I was pregnant with my son, my mom was overjoyed, but did later confide that she has no idea how to be a mom to a mother. She never had a mother while she was raising us (my step-grandmother is a bit kooky and, while we all love her, she definitely is the black sheep of the family). But she has been the best mom through everything and is an amazing Grandma. I call my mom with any question and live for our Sunday family lunches after church. My mom supports me and has my back 100%, but is not afraid to be real and honest with me and call me out when I am being overly dramatic or making a mistake.

She also LOVES MH. I remember the first Christmas we were dating, we had only been together a month and I was so nervous to introduce him to my family. My sisters were a little suspicious because he is so much older than me, but my mom loved him right away. She was out shopping and picked up something she knew he would love and chatted with the cashier (which she ALWAYS does!) and said "Oh, yes, this is for my son." I looked at her and was like, "Mom, we have literally been dating for one month!" She shrugged and just winked. But she was right, as she always is.

When I had complications during my first pregnancy, I could see how tough it was for her to see me sick and in pain. She was at EVERY OB appointment and was my fiercest advocate (aside from my older sister who, as her flaming red hair suggests, has quite the temper!) when sh*t hit the fan. My mom and my younger sister basically moved in after my son was born and were such an amazing help, I honestly don't know how I would've survived without them! They are my go-to babysitters and sometimes I am afraid they are going to kidnap my son (only partially joking here...)

The reason I dislike my MIL so much has nothing to do with the crazy or insulting things she has said to me. I'm a big girl, I can take it. I completely understand not everyone is going to like me and I sure as hell don't like everyone. MH has admitted his mom is a tough person to get along with so he completely understands. However, when I got wind that she was insulting my mom saying that she doesn't know how to entertain or be a good hostess and that she didn't teach me how to be a proper wife and woman, I lost any respect for my MIL and decided that it would take no less than an act of God to rebuild any trust or reputation she may have had in my mind. If you insult my mother, you are dead to me. I feel bad because I know how conflicted MH is, but he has even admitted that my mom is the type of mother he wished he had growing up and has done his best to defend her or at least shut his mom down if she starts down that road.

My mom is so warm and loving and goofy. All my friends growing up would say that she just makes you feel comfortable the instant you see her. I have tried my whole life to master that smile she has and studied the way she talks with others. She is so attentive and compassionate, you can't help but feel loved. She is the greatest example of the caring nurse. Sometimes people underestimate her because she is so giving and humble, but she is absolutely brilliant. My mother was valedictorian of her class and the first woman to win a prestigious physics award (can't remember the name right now and it is making me so frustrated!). If she had lived in a slightly different time, she may have been an engineer, but as it was she was either going to be a teacher or a nurse. She never does anything half-way and has quickly become very well-known and respected in the nursing community. Whenever I mention her name at professional conferences, everyone immediately lights up and has some story about how she has helped them or how they still use her templates for care plans etc. I am so not above name-dropping and will tell anyone who will listen that she is my mom. I am so proud of her (in case you couldn't tell!)

I feel amazingly blessed and honored to be her daughter and if I can be half the mother she was to me, I will consider that a success! I constantly hear myself saying things and doing things I remember her doing when I was younger and the fact that I am turning into my mother is the best thing I can imagine. My main parenting goal is to ensure that my children know how much I love them and that they continue on the legacy of love, empathy, and compassion that my mother received from my incredible grandfather (he deserves his own book-length post, he was so amazing!) and then passed down to me. I have deep respect and reverence for my mother and my family and would fight to the ends of the earth for her honor. I love my mom so much!

LadySamLady · December 2015

My mom is the bomb!

2.red.heads · December 2015

totally lucky here too! All 4 Grandparents are great and really involved.

Thank goodness my mom is a teacher and will have the summer off to help me with the twins and older kids! My MIL is retired - she's so kind and thoughtful!

camillaandcarson · December 2015

Some of these make me cry they are just so sweet. So wonderful to have a great family support system, it seems so rare. Something money cannot buy and something so special beyond measure.

kbrands7 · December 2015

I'm very lucky to have my parents and grandparents too. They can be a little overbearing at times (except for my grandfather), but they are usually eager to help and are excited about DH's and my family. My mom also quit her job to watch DS while I am at work, which is an amazing blessing. I know I can count on her when I need her. My dad and grandfather go out of their way to help DH with larger home projects and remodels, and my dad even built a dining room table for us when I couldn't find a large enough one in our price range. My mom really hit the jackpot with him when she remarried after divorcing my biological dad. He has never treated me as anything less than his own child. My grandmother has been wonderful about keeping our family heritage alive, passing down stories, recipes and techniques, Italian blessings, and the occasional insult. Both she and my grandfather are extremely protective, sometimes to a fault. My grandfather especially has really taken to DH from the beginning and helped him to really feel like part of the family. My grandmother-in-law is wonderful too, though we don't get to see her often. She took in DH when he was a teenager and his family was crumbling, and has treated me as family from the first time I met her when DH and I started dating years ago. She is an incredibly sweet woman. DH speaks very highly of both of his grandfathers who were great role models to him too, though they unfortunately both passed away shortly before he and I started dating, so I never got the chance to meet them.

AdorkablePixie · December 2015

@laurenmdrn16 Your relationship with your mom reminds me a lot of my relationship with my mom.

It's awesome to have a mom that's also your best friend. When I have a free weekend and head to where I use to live she is the first person I call to see if she is free.

businessmama · December 2015

I wanted to add to mine... My father took the day off yesterday and built me surprise shelves in my laundry room because I had complained about storage there. It was so sweet and thoughtful.

This is on top that my parents go by my house everyday to let my dogs out since I work so far away and can't go at lunch. They are just wonderful.

childcaremama · December 2015

I have an awesome mom too! She helps me with my in home childcare anytime just because she wants to make my life easier. She always wants to take care of me when I'm sick or hurt. She goes above and beyond for me all the time.

emma+karen · December 2015

Needed to chime in with my parents' latest awesomeness: My dad asked me a couple weeks ago if there was anything else I wanted for Christmas. My mom had already done most of their shopping, but I said since my main hobby other than toddler-chasing is decorating (and daydreaming about decorating!) an IKEA gift card would be nice. I was thinking like a $50 gift card. Yesterday, an IKEA gift card for $500 shows up in the mail! My parents certainly have the money, but it is incredibly generous and FAR beyond what I expected! I called my parents and my mom said, "Well, that's the surprise!" I love my family.

PYLWhammy · December 2015

My mom and my in-laws all live far away, and I'm pretty bummed about it because they're all AWESOME! They've been so supportive during pregnancy, and are so excited about the baby it's adorable. My in-laws will spoil the baby rotten, but I don't mind. The last time we visited them, we came back with a suitcase full of presents for my brothers kids.. They're not even their grandkids, and they only met them once at our wedding.. but they are just so giving and love to make little ones happy.

saltedcaramel518 · December 2015

My in-laws visited this past weekend, their reasoning being that my MIL has never seen my house decorated for Christmas, and this was her chance to (they live almost 3 hours away). Honestly, I was slightly put off they were visiting because I had a several different things to do over the weekend to get ready for Christmas, and I didn't feel like I had time to be a good hostess.

Well, they actually came up so that my FIL could build a platform for our front-load washer and dryer that were sitting on the floor. When I first got pregnant, I told my MIL that DH would have to do all the laundry once I had a big belly because there's no way I could squat down to get clothes in and out of the washer (which is a pain anyway when not pregnant). So, they came and built the platform for us as a Christmas present. It is so much easier to do laundry now. I really appreciate it, and of course felt bad for not wanting them to visit.

However.. they could've waited until after the baby was born so that DH would have gotten stuck doing all the laundry

CheerfulJ · January 2016

Our immediate family has been wonderful! Our baby already has a ton of toys and clothes. They regularly call to check on our health?If I'm eating? and if I need anything?
We are very lucky

KaKip · January 2016

My mom is amazing. She is the rock for our family and the most nurturing and hard-working person I know. She is a nurse and always takes such good care of anyone who is feeling ill. I love her sense of whimsy, her goofiness, her practicality, how giddy and school-girlish she gets from one light beer. Lots of my friends have said they'd like to marry my brother just to have my mother as their MIL.My dad has a terrible, wildly inappropriate sense of humor but he is kind, welcoming and gives everyone a chance. He was a guidance counselor and he has a talent for talking to everyone with respect and compassion.
My brother is probably a little too brilliant with a wicked sense of humor. He also has the gentlest heart when it comes to animals. We get in knock-down, drag-out debates even though we generally agree on everything.

I adore my parents in law too. They bring such joy and laughter into everything. MIL has the best laugh and she is always doing kind things for people. They live in Honduras and could be described as "Middle-class" in a country with a few obscenely rich people and lots of very poor people. MIL has a whole group of families she helps to support with clothing, books and such. She has adopted a group of dogs near their home in the country and is always asking for things like flea collars to keep them healthy. FIL is so gentle, studious and loving. He gives great hugs and always thinks I understand way more Spanish than I actually do. My BIL is very suave and fashionable and fancies himself a real lothario. But he is also incredibly thoughtful--- I'll never forget how he helped my dad, bad ankles and all, climb the Mayan ruins in Copan.

Love them all.

H0neyC0mb · January 2016

My dad is the most amazing father I know. I was extremely blessed to have been adopted into their family! I'm so sad we live states away. When they were up visiting fr Thanksgiving and learned mil doesn't even want to talk about the baby [She has tunnel vision and right now her focus is bil's wedding so she doesn't want to hear about the, "extra stress."], my dad offered to fly either him or my mom up one weekend a month so I wouldn't be alone in my excitement/ planning for baby. I cried and I'm crying again cause I miss them so much.

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