Fathers-in-law.

What is it with Fathers-in-law that they always seem to get more respect (maybe respect is the wrong word here, less hassle might be better) from their Sons/Daughters-in-law than Mothers-in-law get? I have one of each, S.I.L and D.I.L, the D.I.L ,who is Italian affectionally calls me Papa Jimmy but she calls the wife Mrs. Mac, the S.I.L just calls me Jimmy and the wife again Mrs.Mac. I never had any rows with either of them, the wife has had a few though. Why have I heard hundreds of Mother-in-law jokes and not one Father-in-law joke?, are we a protected species?

Re: Fathers-in-law.

My FIL is horrible man, my MIL was lovely a real gem. Respected and loved in equal measures she was but what I feel for my FIL is close to disgust. So either we are very different family or the generalisation just doesn't work

Re: Fathers-in-law.

I am a father in law to my 2 daughters spouses & they are very kind to me, always greet me with a handshake , followed by a hug.
My son's wife doesn 't know what to make of me, 10 years after they wed.


My own in-laws were JEMS>

Re: Fathers-in-law.

I think there is a jealous protective streak from the Mother in law - to the DIL. Its 'her son' so beware !
I have observed this many times, my MIL was the same, took me 3 years, but I won her over. Its a stupid business, they should be happy - then everything will work smoothly.
Seems to be different for the daughters - when they wed .....another 'son' is more welcome ....

Re: Fathers-in-law.

You could be right I had about a year of odd behaviour by my MIL until I sat down with her and said I wasn't going anywhere and we both loved him so we should be working together to make him happy not being defensive about things and magically it all turned out for the best and we were great friends after that, she was as I said lovely !

Re: Fathers-in-law.

I never had a FIL, he had died when my husband was young. My MIL considered me to be another daughter and my DIL is like a daughter to me

Re: Fathers-in-law.

Sensible - its the best approach to welcome the DIL or SIL isn't it = happy family ......

Re: Fathers-in-law.

Jem - is it the male comedian having a dig at us women anyway ....
Women drivers - MILs - Landladies .... could be .....

Re: Fathers-in-law.

That was a good outcome Julie, over the 3 years for me, I could see her mellowing just wanted it to hurry up so we could all be happy

Re: Fathers-in-law.

I've never had a father-in-law (in both of my marriages, both fathers had died long before I met my husbands) and only had one mother-in-law and I detested her and she felt the same about me (but she started it ).

I dislike my daughter-in-law but then again, so does everyone else - only my son thinks she's great.

I don't think it comes down to fathers/mothers - it's just whether or not personalities clash.