In-Laws

What's your first reaction when you hear the word "in-laws?" It seems as if most people see having to spend time with their spouse's parents as a hassle or an inconvenience, and this stereotype is certainly portrayed in nearly every TV show/movie produced these days. The common type's being that the wife's father can't stand the husband, and the husband's mother is disapproving of the wife, and this causes the couple to make distinct efforts to avoid spending time with the parent's. Which I think is a real shame.

I will preface my thoughts on this mindset by saying I am not married so I do not have any in-laws and perhaps my perception of in-laws will change when I am married but right now I think that is a terrible  attitude to have. The girl I marry is going to be wonderful and amazing and we could very possibly end up having a daughter and if this happens I would have no idea how to raise a daughter (I wouldn't know how to raise a son either but that's not the focus right now) and I would like to think that the first person I would turn to for help is the person that raised the wonderful and amazing woman that became my wife. I would be foolish not to learn from him and to be comfortable coming to him with concerns or ideas I would need a solid relationship with him first. If I can't sit in the room with the man and talk about basketball how can I call him at night and tell him my daughter had a nightmare and then ask him, how can I make her feel safe again? There has to be a foundation to build from so we could get to bigger things.

I understand that some women have issues with their parents that may have caused some strain on their relationship which would make it difficult for him and myself to have a relationship but I would still like to make an effort. I know there have to be boundaries but I want to be close to my father-in-law because I would want my son-in-law to be close to me.

Your in-laws are an example, sometimes they are examples of things to do and sometimes examples of things not to do, either way they are a learning opportunity, so don't waste it.